JCT 600 Bradford League Second Teams review May 10, 2008

Dawson strikes to keep Esholt at the top

Posted:

Esholt maintained their impressive start to the JCT 600 Bradford League second teams Division One campaign by securing a seven-wicket win over Lightcliffe.

It was their third straight win and the man they have to thank is opening bowler Chris Dawson. he took six for 24 as Lightcliffe were dismissed for 107. Masaver Massidique struck an unbeaten 47 to steer Esholt to their target.

Champions East Bierley are the only other team to win all their games so far. They moved to within four points of Esholt with a thumping 163-run win over newly-promoted Spen Victoria. Opener Steve Simpson (92), Paul Ellis (51 no off 26 balls) and Matthew Anderson (40) steered their side to an imposing 278-8. Spen made only 115-6 in reply with Faizal Rajput unbeaten on 48.

Last season's Division two champions Cleckheaton are also finding the going tough in the top division. They were bowled out for 87 as they suffered a 196-run defeat at Hanging Heaton. Opener Rob Smith struck an unbeaten 123, while Dave Lawrence blasted 54 and Howard Ellis (42) for Hanging Heaton before Ben Gilbert (5-25) and Adeel Hafeez (3-8) put the skids under Cleckheaton.

Opening bowler Stephen Adamson took four for 32 as Woodlands bowled out Baildon for 109 on their way to a seven-wicket win. Robert Medcalf (46) and Greg Godfrey (42no) steered Woodlands home.

Fourth-placed Yeadon had a comfortable 81-run success over Farsley. Liam Bishop made 60 and Will Darby (59) as Yeadon reached 258-7. Farsley, despite a battling 61 from Joe Greaves, were dismissed for 177. Steve Gilks took four for 66.

Scott Hartley, son of former Yorkshire player Peter, made 48 to help Keighley to a two-wicket win over Pudsey St Lawrence. Taimoor Shahid top scored with 61 for St Lawrence in their total of 182, while spinner Adam Hopkins took four for 49 in the Keighley innings.

Pudsey Congs bounced back from their heavy defeat by Esholt to inflict a third-successive defeat on Bowling Old Lane. Half-centuries from Callum Oliver (57no), Richard Jubb (54no) and Warren Allitt (55) saw them overhaul an Old Lane score of 187 to win by eight wickets. For Old Lane skipper Haqeeq Siddique made 46.

Manningham Mills and Undercliffe share the lead in Division Two. Mills maintained their good start with a six-wicket win over Idle. Openers Mohammad Faisal (68no) and Asif Amir (46) helped Mills to overcome an Idle score of 124-9. Zefer Mahmood was the best Mills bowler with four for 33.

Undercliffe repeated their Sovereign Health Care Priestley Shield success of last week by beating Bradford & Bingley by one wicket in a thrilling match. Old head Andy Wilsdon (35no) saw Undercliffe home despite the efforts of Dave Etherington (3-12). Amir Ditta (44) and Liam Brearley (37) were the other main scorers for Bradford & Bingley as they squeezed past Bradford & Bingley's score of 152.

Morley are third, 12 points adrift of the leading two, after a 47-run win over Gomersal. John Hyde (65) and Richard Winn (40) helped Morley to make 171-9 despite some good bowling from Ryan Kitson (5-43). Andy Cutt took four for 24 as Gomersal were dismissed for 124.

Young batsman Robert Worsnop struck 74 as Saltaire made 222-9 on their way to a 91-run win over Bankfoot. Once again Nicky Gomersall was the pick of the Bankfoot batsmen with 44.

Fraheel Ahmed (54) and Zubair Ashraf (50) steered Great Horton to a six-wicket win over Windhill despite the efforts of veteran Dave Pearce (4-34). Tony Jones top scored with 60 in the Windhill innings.

Brighouse recorded their second win when they beat Hartshead Moor by six wickets. Opener Jamie Thrush made an unbeaten 74 and John Potkins (37) as Brighouse eased past a Hartshead Moor score of 164-7.