JCT 600 Bradford League Second Teams review April 26, 2008

Bierley cut down Woodlands in opening encounter

Posted: April 27

Double-winners East Bierley launched their season in convincing style with an emphatic nine-wicket win over a Woodlands side they defeated in last year's Sovereign Health Care Priestley Shield final.

Richard Patrick (3-20), Chris Brook (3-21) and skipper Matthew Anderson (3-26) skittled out Woodlands for 100. Then, new opener Steve Simpson took centre stage as he blasted an unbeaten 68 in an unbroken second-wicket partnership of 96 with Thomas Owens (32no).

Both the newly-promoted teams, Cleckheaton and Spen Victoria found the going tough. Pudsey Congs skipper Michael Oldfield took five for six as Cleckheaton were dismissed for 90 despite a defiant 34 from opener Chris Dobson.

Congs looked in trouble at 12 for four but recovered to win by four wickets with Paul Eachus finishing unbeaten on 24.

Spen's new-look team were dismissed by Keighley for 111 with only Faisal Rajput (30) making an impression as Paul Wilkinson took four for 22. Keighley cruised to their target for the loss of just two wickets with Tim Burnley making an unbeaten 36.

Esholt's team strengthening paid early dividends as they gained a maximum 20 points from 143-run win over Hanging Heaton. Massaver Massidique (71) and old campaigner Chris Hester (63) helped Esholt to a total of 229 for five. In reply Hanging Heaton were dismissed for just 86 with Yasser Abbass claiming three for nine.

Yeadon's Nick Darfield took six for 40 as they defeated Baildon by five runs in a close encounter. Baildon collapsed from 94 for two to 126 all out to undo all the good work done by skipper James Butterfield (40). Yeadon owed their total of 131 for eight to a determined 51 from Jon Carey.

Terry Staniforth marked his return to Farsley after a spell with East Bierley by making 58 as they beat Bowling Old Lane by 35 runs. Farsley made 158 despite the efforts of Adil Mir (4-25) and bowled out Old Lane for 123. Christian Horner took four for 32 for Farsley.

Windhill seem to make a habit of springing a surprise on the opening day. Last year they opened their Division Two campaign with a stunning win over relegated Bradford & Bingley and yesterday they were at it again as they beat Gomersal - who dropped from Division One at the end of last season - by one wicket.

Ryan Holdswoth took three for 21 as Gomersal were restricted to 153 for nine despite a good start from openers Paul Huddlestone (36) and Zahir Hussain (34). Windhill squeezed home with Tony Jones and Richard Clow each making 30.

There was also a thrilling finish at Manningham Mills where the home side defeated Morley by one wicket. Veterans Dave Goodlad (71) and John Hyde (43) guided Morley to a score of 180, but Mills overhauled it with 16 balls to spare. Asif Hamed made 43 for Mills.

Bradford & Bingley made light work of defeating Bankfoot. They dismissed their rivals for 81 and knocked off the runs for the loss of one wicket. New signing Richard McKirgan made a defiant 58 for Bankfoot but lacked support. Skipper Peter Clarke made 53 as Bradford & Bingley sealed their win.

Craig Smith (64), Gareth Duckworth (58) and Sohail Hussain (45) guided Undercliffe to an impressive total of 212 against Saltaire who were bowled out for 168 in reply as Hussain capped a good individual performance by taking five for 46.

Idle opener Luke Heineman made the day's highest individual score. He made 90 not out as his side defeated Brighouse by 49 runs. Steve Marsden (43) and Neil McLelland (35) helped Idle make 187 for two before restricting Brighouse to 138. McClelland was in fine form with the ball and claimed five for 55.

Hartshead Moor snatched a two-wicket win over Great Horton with Andy Halford (40) and Neil Dickinson (37) leading them to their victory target. Great Horton were dismissed for 131 desopite 48 from Zubair Ashraf.