Posted:September 11, 2011

Lightcliffe take title by virtue of most wins

Lightcliffe skipper Jonathan Wilson receives the Division Two championship trophy from JCT600 Bradford League president Keith Moss Picture:Mike Baker ©JCT600 Bradford Cricket League

Division Two

Lightcliffe pipped Saltaire for the Division Twochampionship on games won as the title race went right down to the wire.

Saltaire did all they could as they wrapped up a 192-run win over ten man Windhill to collect a 20-point maximum.

But Lightcliffe responded to the challenge by bowling out Great Horton for just 78 to secure a 156-run win which earned them 20 points and the league title.

Former Yorkshire batsman Chris Taylor and left-arm spinner Chris Greenwood were the key figures in a Lightcliffe triumph which helped erase the bitter memory of last season when they were pipped for promotion on the final day'

Taylor, as he has done so often, played the sheet-anchor role as he batted throughout the Lightcliffe innings of 234-5 for an unbeaten 101.

He struck two sixes and seven fours but it was Jacob Waterson (42) and James Horne (35no) who provided the injection of pace the innings needed in the closing overs to ensure that Lightcliffe achieved maximum batting points.

Great Horton, who started the day in third place, crumbled against the spin of Greenwood as they were skittled out cheaply. He returned the stunning figures as 6-4 as his side sealed their title triumph.

Saltaire had already wrapped up their victory earlier. The highlight of their win was a magnificent innings of 149 not out from Fahid Rehman against his old club.

Rehman has proved a great acquisition for Saltaire and his latest innings contained 18 fours as he scored his runs off 134 balls. In the process he became the third batsman in Division Two to reach 1,000 runs this season. Waeled Akhtar (35) and Mohammed Saeed (33) also made quick runs enabling skipper Ijaz Khan to declare at 284-4 which gave him an extra five overs in which to dismiss Windhill.

His side didn't need those extra overs. They polished off Windhill for 92 in just 23.1 overs with Matthew Simpson (4-39) and Mohammed Saeed (3-17).

Missing out on the title will be disappointing to Saltaire but when they reflect on what has been a fine season for them their defeat by Morley yesterday was effectively the result that spiked their title hopes.

Great Horton's defeat by Lightcliffe saw them drop from third to fifth as both Keighley and Morley climbed above them with final-day wins.

Keighley had little trouble in brushing aside Spen Victoria. They bowled out their visitors for 105 before romping to a seven-wicket success with Freddie Pearson hitting 39.

Morley defeated Idle by the same margin. Spinners Dave Nebard (4-13) and Kashif Naveed (3-72) were in the wickets again as Idle were dismissed for 141. Only Luke Heinemann (58) offered any resistance.

Morley eased to their victory target with opener Richard Jubb making 52 and Matthew Baxter (30no).

Martin Riley hit a six off the penultimate ball of the match to secure a three-wicket win for Hartshead Moor over Yeadon.

Skipper Simon North (71) and Craig Field (37) set up the victory despite the efforts of Mahmood Rasool (4-51) to prevent them overhauling Yeadon's 201 all out.

Oliver Halliday was in good form with the bat for Yeadon as he made a fine 90, while skipper James Goldthorpe scored 30. The best of the Hartshead Moor bowlers was Daniel Squire with 5-57.

Wicketkeeper John Barton discarded his pads and gloves and turned bowler to good effect as Bankfoot finished their season with a 26-run win at Brighouse.

Barton took 3-52 and gave support to Nigel hanson 4-43 as Brighouse were bowled out for 197 in reply to Bankfoot's 223-7. Daniel Dunkerley (77) and Will Smith (40) were Brighouse's top scorers.

Opener Gary Wainwright top scored with 60 for Bankfoot while Jordan Tailord (34) and Nick Harabalidis (33) helped their side compile a total of 223-7.

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