Farsley take over at the top after thrilling win

Posted: May 13, 2007

The leadership of the JCT 600 Bradford League Second Teams Division One has changed again. Farsley have taken over at the top following their thrilling two-wicket win over Keighley which was secured with one ball remaining.

Shabir Rashid (72) , Matthew Green (40) and skipper Nigel Thornton (30 not out) helped their side to overhaul the Keighley score of 213 all out in which Robert Hopkinson made a fine 114 in the face of good bowling from Ryan Lumb five for 57.

Previous leaders East Bierley dropped to fourth place after a seven-wicket loss to Pudsey St Lawrence. Bierley were dismissed for just 103 with only skipper Matt Anderson (34) making an impression as Anthony Yelding (4-37) and Craig Trapps (3-39) posed problems.

St Lawrence slipped to 23 for three in reply before Phil Wilson (54not out) and Nial Coleman (27 not out) steered them home.

Lightcliffe climbed back up to second after an 80-run success over Baildon. Opener Robert crookes hit 84 as they made 175 before bowling out Baildon for just 95. Adil Ladak was the main destroyer with six for 38.

Bowling old Lane had a nail-biting four-run win over Hanging heaton. Old Lane's score of 147 all out looked disappointing because skipper Haqueq Siddique (48) and Khalid Rehman (32) looked to have set a firm foundation. Umar Rehman triggered a slump in their fortunes by taking five for 16.

Hanging Heaton had difficulties against the Old Lane opening bowlers Talat Sajawal (3-23) and Hasib Younis (3-41) and despite the efforts of Rob Smith (33) were bowled out for 143.

Champions Woodlands have now lost three of their opening four games. They went down by 35 runs to Esholt after their batting failed to fire. Stef Garbus (4-45) and Stuart Houlbrook (3-31) helped dismiss them for 126. Esholt had earlier made 161 with veteran opener Tony Brassington hitting 47. Chris Walker (4-16) and Phil Walker (4-27) were the best Woodlands bowlers.

After three defeats Yeadon finally recorded a win. They beat Gomersal by four wickets after dismissing their rivals for 92. Nick Darfield (3-36) and Jon Carey (3-42) were the main bowlers for Yeadon who eased home with Carey and Darren Smith both making 29.

Saltaire remain without a win after a five-wicket reverse against Pudsey Congs. Awais Ejaz made 50 for Saltaire but their score of 143 was comfortably beaten by Congs as they replied with 144 for five. Opener Warren Allit made 52 and Stuart Blanchard, who had taken four for 21 in the Saltaire innings, capped a good individual performance by making 35.

Division Two also has new leaders. Spen Victoria have taken over from Idle after securing their fourth straight win - this time by 105 runs against Windhill.

Solid batting took Spen to a score of 223 all out of which Chris Hester hit 38 and Leigh Manton (32). Windhill were dismissed for 188 with young Robert Warriner continuing his fine form taking four for five. Opener dave Pearce was Windhill's top scorer with 49 off just 36 balls.

Previous leaders Idle went down by six runs to Great Horton. Idle were bowled out for 175 as Jamil Akthar took four for 26 for Great Horton who had made 181 all out batting first. Zabir Ashraf (44), Shabir Ellahi (41) and Wahid Iqbal (31) were the top scorers. Idle's best bowler was Graham Dobson (4-52)

Cleckheaton haven't looked back since their opening day defeat by Spen Victoria and they are now second after beating Bradford & Bingley by 106 runs to collect 20 points. Openers Russell Nobel (63) and Marcus Walmsley (62) put on 135 and set the tone for Cleckheaton's innings of 244 for six.

Bradford & Bingley struggled in reply with skipper Peter Clarke (42) the one man to make an impression on a bowling attack in which Craig Ignatowski took four for 49.

Bankfoot's big-hitting batsman Adeel Amjid provided some more fireworks. He blasted eight sixes and seven fours in a blistering 85 not out as his side beat Hartshead Moor by seven wicket after dismissing them for 133.

Morley won a tight game with manningham Mills by seven runs. Leg spinner Sam Medley took four for nine as they successfully defended a score of 143. Skipper Dave Goodlad (57) and Michael Davis (31) were their main scorers.

Brighouse notched up another comfortable win. This time they defeated Undercliffe by 128 runs. The highlights of their success were the batting of Daniel Dunkerley (51not out) batting at number nine and Mick Wood (46)

Undercliffe, faced with a total of 210 for eight, capitulated once again and were all out for 82. Royston Light finished with three for 16.