East Bierley went to the top of the Second Teams Division One table for the first time this season after a five-wicket win over Woodlands in a dress rehearsal for next Sunday's Sovereign Health Care Priestley Shield final.

Long-time leaders Lightcliffe dropped back to third place after a 109-run defeat by Hanging Heaton who are now second with just three games to go.

East Bierley owed their success to some fine bowling from Chris Brook (5-45) as Woodlands were dismissed for 157, and some superb strokeplay from John Davis (96) as they eased to their victory target. Wicketkeeper Elliott Milnes (47no) was the one Woodlands batsman to shine.

Bierley have a slender three point advantage over Hanging Heaton who inflicted a ninth defeat of the season on Lightcliffe. Howard Ellis (88) and Michael Smith (66) guided Hanging Heaton to a total of 246-7. Lightcliffe could only manage 137 in reply as Umar Rehman took five for 22 and Michael Horner (4-40).

Yeadon's title hopes suffered a body blow when they suffered a two-wicket defeat against Keighley. Yeadon were dismissed for 160, a score which owed much to Jonathan Carey's unbeaten 42 and Graeme Simpson's 38. Alex Towler pick up four for 50.

Keighley squeezed home despite the efforts of Paul Machell (4-47). James Wilkinson (59mo) and Paul Wilkinson (30) secured a valuable win for their side.

It is a measure of how tightly fought the division is that just 20 points cover the top four clubs and another 20 points separates fifth-placed Esholt and bottom team Gomersal.

The fight to avoid relegation is going to be intense and Bowling old Lane must be beginning to fear an immediate return to Division Two after their 32-run defeat by Pudsey St Lawrence. phil Wilson (52) and Mark Stringer (45) guided St Lawrence to a score of 209 despite the efforts of Old Lane skipper Haqueq Siddique (4-55). Old Lane were bowled out for 177 as spinner Adam Hopkins took six for 28. Amar Rahim top scored with 61.

Bottom team Gomersal improved their chances of a great escape with a 49-run win over fellow strugglers Farsley. Steve Pollard stroked an unbeaten century while Jonathan Boynton made 61 in an impressive total of 281-5. Farsley made a spirited reply but finished on 232-9 with Ross Monaghan making 54 and Adam Walker (35).

Baildon slipped back into trouble after a seven-wicket defeat by Pudsey Congs. Ben Birkill took four for 32 as Baildon made 152-9, then Richard Jubb made an unbeaten 63 as Congs romped home.

Saltaire are another side flirting with danger after their 52-5un reverse against Esholt. Stefan Garbus took seven for 32 as Saltaire were dismissed for 112 in reply to Esholt's 164-9.

Cleckheaton celebrated receiving the Division Two championship trophy before the game with an easy 98-run win over Brighouse. Dean Worrall (88) and Ian Gatenby (51) helped them post a score of 246 before bowling out Brighouse for 148 with Fraser Green taking six for 25.

Manningham Mills retained their hold on second spot with a six-wicket win over Hartshead Moor. Shahid Salim hit an unbeaten 82 as they eased past the Hartshead Moor score of 182 which was built around a determined 95 from Neil Dickinson.

Bradford & Bingley remain third after bagging maximum points from an emphatic 121-run win over Undercliffe. The highlights of their win were the knocks of skipper Peter Clarke (88) and Michael Clarke (55) which helped them post a score of 258-8 before dismissing Undercliffe for 137.

Veteran opener Marl Richardson top scored with an unbeaten 73 as Spen Victoria defeat Idle by four runs. Darren Lyons (48) tried hard to force victory for his side but they were eventually dismissed for 147 with Robert Warriner taking three for 18 in a fine ten over spell.

Morley's teenage batsman Michael Davies hit an unbeaten 126 as he helped them defeat Bankfoot by 131 runs. Davies hit four sixes and 15 fours as Morley made 272-7. Bankfoot were dismissed for 141 with edie Ream capturing four for 54.

Zubair Ashraf of Great Horton was another century maker. He made 110 as his side reached 274 before dismissing Windhill for 121. Ashraf hit six sixes and seven fours. He was well supported in a third-wicket stand of 133 by Numan Ahsan (63). Jamil Akhtar took five for 51 as Windhill were bowled out.