Marcus Walmsley	Steve Simpson

East Bierley underlined their domination of second team cricket by completing a hat-trick of Sovereign Health Care Priestley Shield wins with a seven-wicket triumph over Cleckheaton at sun-soaked Moorend.

They also sealed their second successive Seconds Teams Division One championship and Shield double.

And the East Bierley club now have the distinction of being the first in the 105-year history of Bradford League cricket to secure a hat-trick of Priestley Cup wins (1998-2000) and Priestley Shield wins (2006-2008).

This latest triumph, Bierley's fourth in the last five seasons, was secured with a powerful batting performance in a match which provided a fitting climax to a difficult season.

It wasn't just the sun that shone at Moorend. The batsmen also turned up the heat as they made the most of a a reliable batting surface. The final produced two excellent centuries from Cleckheaton's talented 17-year-old Marcus Walmsley and East Bierley's opener Steve Simpson.

The players were fortunate to experience a wicket of true bounce an good weather on the final day of the campaign.

Cleckheaton, appearing in their first final, were asked to bat first and suffered an immediate setback when Chris Dobson was caught at slip by Steve Simpson in Chris Brook's opening over.

There were genuine fears that Cleckheaton would struggle, but 17-year-old Marcus Walmsley and Rhys Jowett had other ideas as they shared a stand of 67. They played with good sense until Jowett was bowled by East Bierley skipper Matthew Anderson during a controlled spell of off spine which brought him figures of one for 27.

Dean Worrall was trapped lbw by John Glover without scoring and that brought in Edward Walmsley to join his twin brother.

Together they gradually quickened the tempo in a stand of 80 which took the score to 148 before Edward departed when he skied a catch to Paul Ellis off Dan Abbott's bowling.

Marcus Walmsley went on top complete a splendid century which contained a six and 17 fours, but was dismissed on 101 to the disappointment of his colleagues. He tried to hit Paul Ellis over the top and was caught in the deep by Glover.

Cleckheaton needed Walmsley to bat out the 50 overs if they were to post a score of 240-250 which was what was needed on such a true pitch. His departure enabled East Bierley to take control.

Despite the efforts of Russell Noble (41), Cleckheaton were eventually dismissed in the final over for 212. Craig Blackburn, Andy Porritt and skipper Neil Shackleton all holed out trying to force the tempo, while two run outs brought the innings to a close.

Noble was dismissed attempting a second run while wicketkeeper Chris Dyer and last man Fraser Green got in a tangle and both finished at the same end.

Chris Brook was the most successful East Bierley bowler with three for 29. while Anderson (1-27) was the most economical on an afternoon when his side didn't bowl with their usual control or accuracy.

East Bierley, who were without Arron Brook who was in Prague on a stag weekend, promoted teenage wicketkeeper Liam Walsh to open with the prolific Steve Simpson.

Walsh only made nine but he did his job as he shared an opening stand of 51 with Simpson who was quickly into his stride.

Simpson had one lucky let off when, having made 19 out of 23, he was dropped by wicketkeeper Chris Dyer who couldn't hang on to a low diving catch when the batsman edged a ball from Marcus Walmsley.

Simpson made the most of that escape. He was also reprieved on 58 when Cleckheaton skipper Neil Shackleton dropped the chance at mid on.

After that he made Cleckheaton suffer with as he went on to make 106 with three sixes and 12 fours before being caught low down in the deep by Jowett off the bowling of Porritt. He and Owens put on 106 for the second wicket.

Simpson departure enabled the elegant Thomas Owens to take centre stage. He produced a series of sparkling shots, including three sixes and five fours, as he made 57 before being bowled by Fraser Green with victory in sight.

It was left to John Davis to seal the win with a huge six off Porritt in the 48th over.

East Bierley were convincing winners but Cleckheaton's young opener Marcus Walmsley had the satisfaction of being named Man of the Match for his outstanding innings.

Scorecard........>>