Posted: June 30, 2008

Three Division Two sides clinched their places in Monday night’s Sovereign Health Care Priestley Shield quarter-final draw with wins over Division One outfits.

Gomersal defeated Esholt by 84 runs, Manningham Mills beat Pudsey Congs by four wickets and Undercliffe overcame Baildon by seven wickets.

Gomersal’s was the most impressive performance. Zahir Hussain (90), Craig Lightowler (62) and Mat Wilby (350 helped them to post a score of 229-5 before bowling out Esholt – second in Division One – for 145 with Paul Huddlestone taking five for 56.

Manningham Mills skittled Pudsey Congs out for 95 with Nadeem Mumtaz picking up five for 27. Mills reached their victory target with six wickets down. Kasim Shaffiq made 44 to stave off the efforts of Michael Oldfield (3-18) and Liam Stanhope (3-14) for Congs.

Undercliffe, who like Mills are chasing promotion to Division One, restricted Baildon to 139-8 thanks to the efforts of Andy Wilsdon (3-27). Undercliffe cruised to their victory target with Sofian Khan making 54 and Sonny Matharu (38no).

Cleckheaton continued their good form with a 32-run win over Farsley. Ian Gatenby (55) and Craig Blackburn (54) helped them to make 232-9. Farsley were dismissed for 200 with Sean Howe taking four for 28.

East Bierley defeated Woodlands for the second time in 24 hours. After beating them by 10wickets on Saturday in the league they followed up with a 42-run victory which sealed their quarter-final place.

In a match which was a repeat of last season’s final, East Bierley were bowled out for 158. Arron Brook (57) and James Petty (33) were their main scorers as Woodlands skipper Phil Walker picked up three for 24 with his off spin.

Woodlands found the going tough when they replied and were bowled out for 96. Tom Smallwood (31) was their top scorer while Matthew Anderson (3-14) and Chris Brook (3-18) were Bierley’s most successful bowler.