Posted June 3, 2006

The battle for the championship took a new twist today with champions Woodlands becoming the third leaders in the last eight days.

They beat previous leaders Pudsey St Lawrence by 24 runs in the game of the day and have gone two points ahead of them. Pudsey Congs who beat Farsley by five wickets are third - a further point adrift.

It's certainly a fascinating tussle at the top with just three points covering the top three a third of the way through the season. The scene seems set for a fascinating title race every bit as interesting as last year's

Both Woodlands and Congs had to show character and determination to achieve their victories.

Woodlands were struggling at 78 for four when the experienced Murphy Walwyn joined Nicky Rushworth in a vital partnership of 89. Rushworth batted sensibly and resolutely for his 79, while Walwyn blasted two sixes and five fours in making 58.

Their efforts helped Woodlands to make 201 for eight, but it didn't seem to be enough in perfect batting conditions. Gareth Clough (4-45) was the pick of the St Lawrence bowlers.

St Lawrence looked to be cruising to victory when they were 131 for two after 30 overs. However, a rash shot from Mark Robertshaw after he had completed a stylish 51, was to spark a dramatic collapse. He was the first of four victims for left arm spinner Chris Brice.

Safraz Ahmed picked up the wickets of Chris Marsden and the dangerous James Smith (40) in quick succession and suddenly Woodlands were in control.

Clough (33) tried hard to keep his side afloat but Brice (4-61) and Swanepoel (4-58) ensured it was a memorable afternoon for the defending champions.

Pudsey Cong were given a real scare by lowly Farsley before they emerged victorious. Farsley punished a Congs attack missing the injured Mohammad Azhar Ullah and Mark Bray and utilising for the first time this season the bowling of skipper Matthew Doidge and batsman Andrew Bairstow.

Farsley made 240 for eight with opener Steve Simpson (95) and skipper Ashley Metcalfe (68no) both playing valuable knocks. It looked a challenging total, but Congs rose to the challenge. They eased home with nine balls to spare with Bradley Parker (63), Scott Cunningham (44) and Andy Bethel (43) leading the way.

Sri Lankan Dinusha Fernando was again in fine form as fourth-placed Idle defeated Hanging Heaton by eight wickets. Fernando took four for 39 as Hanging Heaton were dismissed for 141. Nick Summerscales (40no) and Chris Schofield (36) were the only Hanging heaton batsmen to make an impression.

Opener Harvey Anderson hit an unbeaten 73 as Idle cruised to their victory target in 29.3 overs. Idle have 90 points, the same number as East Bierley who defeated Brighouse by 78runs.

Jaffer Nazir, the man who has topped the bowling averages five times in the past six years, took seven for 34 as Brighouse were dismissed for 73 in reply to East Bierley's modest score of 151 all out. Richard Gould (31) was top scorer as Robin Hill (5-39) posed problems.

An unbeaten last wicket stand of 36 between Adam Swallow (22no) and overseas player Ethy Mbhalati (15no) enabled Bradford & Bingley to snatch a one-run win over Baildon.

The result was a huge boost for Bradford & Bingley and yet another setback for a Baildon side which is not living up to its potential. Not even in form all-rounder Phil Slater, who made 53 as his side were bowled out inside their 50 overs again for 188 and then took four for 26.

Bottom team Keighley were finally rewarded for the battling performances they have put in recently when they eventually recorded their first win. They bowled out Saltaire for 116 on their way to a four-wicket win. Richard Robinson (3-0), Ross Towler (3-30) and Jamie Robinson (3-36) sparked the collapse after opener Gharib had made 39 of the first 41 runs scored.

Richard Robinson capped a good day for Keighley by making an unbeaten 51 to ensure his side collected their first 10point win bonus of the campaign. Keighley are now only a point behind Morley who lost by six-wickets to improving Cleckheaton.

Teenage spinner Tom Pringle had Morley in a tangle as he took five for 45. Veteran Dave Goodlad, making his Division One debut because of Morley's injury problems, top scored with 47, but a total of 146 was never going to seriously test Cleckheaton.

Once again the ever-consistent overseas batsman Khurram Shehzad hit a half-century. He made 65 not out with two sixes and nine fours. Ian Nicholson (41) and Adam Patel (36) also made useful runs. Overseas professional Shehzad Butt took three for 24 for Morley.

Great Horton only took over at the top of Division Two on Monday, but they have now carved out a 17 point lead for themselves. They collected 18 points from a comfortable 60-run triumph over Yeadon.

Overseas professional Rizwan Ahmed again played a key role taking five for 37 as Yeadon were dismissed for 147 in reply to a Great Horton score of 207 for nine which was built around a fine 60 from Abid Alishan. All-rounder Steve Lawrence was the pick of the Yeadon players taking four for 46 and top scoring with 37.

Great Horton's three closest challengers, Bankfoot, Manningham Mills and Undercliffe all lost.

Bankfoot were the latest team to suffer at the hands of Gomersal's new Sri Lankan batsman Malintha Thotuwilage. He made an elegant 64 as his side posted a total of 226 for nine batting first. Opener Alan Sumner (48) was next top scorer although Gomersal were indebted to last-wicket pair Craig Lightowler (38no) and Craig Woodhead (17no) who shared an unbeaten partnership of 46. Andy Stothart (4-60) was the most successful bowler.

Just how valuable the tenth wicket partnership was became clear as Bankfoot were restricted to 200 for nine. Former Yorkshire batsman Neiul Nicholson made 72 and John Lister (44) while Bradley Drake (3-36) was Gomersal's chief wicket taker.

Manningham Mills slipped to theor second successive defeat against Bowling Old Lane. They were dismissed for 121 despite 40 from Amar Rashid. Amjid Khan (4-43) and Mohammad Hanif (3-23) did the damage. Old Lane eased home for the loss of only three wickets.

Opener Michael Brooke made a fine 71 as Lightcliffe overhauled Undercliffe's score of 206 for six to win by five wickets. Brooke received good support from Jonathan Wilson (34), James Horne (34) and Rod Hinch (31).

Arun Lal hit three sixers and seven fours when he top scored with 74 in the Undercliffe innings. Left hander David Taylor made 41.

Ben Lister took five for 30 as Esholt sent Spen Victoria crashing to a six wicket defeat. Spen were bowled out for 108 with only Chris Elstub (43) making double figures. Former Spen junior Graham Austin took three for 26.

Esholt lost two early wickets but eased home with Baz King making top score of 49.

Hartshead Moor piled up a staggering 360 for seven on their way to winning the basement battle with Windhil by 114 runs. Craig Field (80), Shoaib Khan (70), Ian Wardlaw (69) and Michael Padgett (66) pounded the Windhill attack. Wardlaw and Padgett both hit half-centuries off 20 balls.

Windhill replied with 246 for six to push the match aggregate to 606 runs. Tom Merilaht made 82, Maz Bhatti (53) and Leon Harber (51).