JCT 600 Bradford League First Teams review May 28, 2007

Posted: May 28, 2007

Picture Gallery: Hanging Heaton v Baildon ........Click here>>

Cleckheaton's Wood brothers John and Ian played leading roles as their side ended East Bierley's 100 per cent start to the JCT Bradford League Division One season.

After six straight wins, East Bierley suffered a 22-run reverse in a match reduced to 45 overs a side and they could have few complaints about the outcome.

Cleckheaton made 200-8 batting first, a score which was far bigger than seemed likely after left arm opening bowler Paul Hutchison claimed five for 43 for East Bierley. Ian Wood with an aggressive 44 not out and young Edward Walmsley, an entertaining 23not out, scored rapidly in the closing stages of the innings.

East Bierley needed a good start if they were to challenge Cleckheaton's total, but they slipped to ten for three in the face of a hostile opening burst from former Lancashire paceman John Wood (3-35).

When he took a rest his brother Ian took over and claimed four for 54 as East Bierley were dismissed for 178 despite late defiance from skipper Gavin Hamilton (33) and some fireworks from Jaffer Nazir who struck five sixes and three fours in a rapid 57.

With East Bierley only claiming seven points, Woodlands were able to make inroads into their rivals' lead at the top. They defeated Brighouse by four wickets and are now just seven points adrift of East Bierley.

The champions are now the only unbeaten team in either division and their latest win owed much to the strength of their bowling attack. Left arm opening bowler Safraz Ahmed took five for 28 and spinner Chris Brice (3-30) as Brighouse were dismissed for 107. Skipper Mark Gilliver (36) was the top scorer for Brighouse.

Woodlands were in trouble at 14-4 in reply, but recovered through Sam Frankland (36not out) and Adam Goldthorpe (28 not out) to win. Tim Linley (3-33) and Chris Greenwood (3-27) bowled well for Brighouse.

Baildon moved up to third place after defeating Hanging Heaton by seven wickets. Their sixth victory in seven games enabled them to leap-frog over Pudsey St Lawrence who lost their derby clash to Pudsey Congs by six wicket.

Spinners Mushtaq Ahmed (3-29) and Jeremy Batty (3-38) helped restrict Hanging Heaton to 140 for eight in their 42 overs. Baildon cruised to their victory target with skipper Ian Philliskirk and Jonathan Reynolds again in good form. Philliskirk blasted five sixes and four fours in a knock of 71, while opener Reynolds made 40.

The former Harrogate duo of Alex Twigg and Tom Glover starred in their first Pudsey derby. Glover took four for 45 as St Lawrence were restricted to a score of 167 for nine in their 48 overs, despite 49 from Australian Tom Stray and 36 by Mark Robertshaw. Left arm spinner Glenn Roberts picked up three for 26.

When Congs replied Twigg was in top form/ He stroked 20 fours in a delightful innings of 95 and with help from fit again Scott Cunningham (35) steered his side home to victory.

Manningham Mills came out on top in the battle of last season's two promoted teams. They won by 101 runs to add to Bowling Old Lane's relegation fears.

Amar Rashid, brother of Yorkshire leg spinner Adil, made a fine 73 and Muenoddin Kadri hit his season's best score of 63 as Mills recovered from an uncertain start to make 186 all out.

Old Lane batted dismally in reply and were dismissed for 88. Their top scorer was skipper Zubair Najeeb, coming in at number nine, who made 22. Nassar Jamal (3-36) and Gammal Hussain (3-23) were the pick of the Mills bowlers.

Bradford & Bingley notched up their second win of the Bank Holiday when they defeated Saltaire by four wickets. Paceman Ethi Mbhalati took four for 35 as Saltaire made 171-9declared. Aftab Ahmed top scored with 32.

Bradford & Bingley were steered home by Phil Slater (53not out) and Mark Beckett (38 not out) as they collected 16 points. Adal Islam took five for 50 for Saltaire.

Idle eased their own relegation fears and added to the troubles of bottom team Farsley as they triumphed by three wickets at Red Lane.

Andy Marshall took four for four as Idle dismissed Farsley for 109. Imran Dawood (31not out) and Danny Shuffe (31) steered Idle home to only their second win of the campaign.

After six straight wins Morley tasted defeat for the first time this season when they went down by seven-wickets to third place Yeadon in Division Two.

Openers Andrew Robertson (79) and Jon Henry (57) shared a stand of 128 as Yeadon comfortably overhauled Morley's score of 156-4 made in 41overs. Shoaib Khan (58) further boosted his impressive run tally while Richard Haikings made 33 for Morley who have seen their lead cut from 21 points to just six.

Second-placed Esholt secured their second win of the weekend when they beat Bankfoot by 106 runs. All-rounder Ben Platt was their match-winner scoring 52 and taking three for 15. Javed Iqbal (33not out) and Shahid Bashir (31) boosted the total to 186-8. It was a score Bankfoot never looked like matching as Shazaib Khan (4-17) and Platt helped bowl them out for 80.

Bottom team Lightcliffe recorded their first win of the season when they defeated Undercliffe by 10 runs. Jonathan Wilson (68) and James Horne (58) helped Lightcliffe recover from 45-5 to post a score of 202.

Darren Blenkiron was again in top form for Undercliffe and made 80 but despite his fine knock and 49 from Ben Heritage, Undercliffe fell short of their target.

Gomersal collected their second win of the weekend when they defeated Keighley by 69 runs. Adam Stott (44) and Bradley Parker (33) helped them to a score of 132 for nine in the face of some good bowling by Richard Robinson (3-39) and Steve Reape (3-43). Keighley were dismissed for a dismal 63 as Garrick Sutherland took three for ten, Bradley Drake (2-17) and Rob Burton (2-12).

Great Horton returned to winning ways when they beat Spen Victoria by five wickets. Spen's score of 150 for nine proved inadequate as Great Horton eased home with skipper Khurrum Naveed adding 36 to the three for 39 he took with the ball.

Windhill notched up their second win when they edged out Hartshead Moor by one wicket. Overseas star Aftab Khan had a fine match taking five for 34 as Hartshead Moor were restricted to 177 fro nine, and making 85 as his side snatched victory. Moor's overseas player Adnan Raees took six for 51 but it wasn't enough to save his side.