Posted: September 3, 2006

Champions Woodlands suffered only their second defeat of the season giving fresh hope to Pudsey Congs and Pudsey St Lawrence in the Division One title race with just two matches to go.

Woodlands went down by three wickets to East Bierley in a match reduced to 25 overs a side by rain, while Congs and St Lawrence both recorded wins over Brighouse and Farsley respectively.

It means that Woodlands' lead over Congs has been slashed from 26 to just 12 points, with St Lawrence a point further adrift.

Woodlands batted first and were soon in trouble at 12 for three. Skipper Tim Orrell (31) and Adam Goldthorpe (21) fought to repair the damage, but Paul Hutchison (3-31) and Greg Lambert (3-39) bowled well and ensured the home side could only post a total of 113 for eight.

It appeared a modest score, but it it began to assume more challenging proportions when East Bierley's openers John Proud and Richard Gould were both dismissed without a run on the board.

When number three batsman Jaffer Nazir was also out without scoring it seemed as if Woodlands were taking command, but skipper Gavin Hamilton had other ideas.

He steadied the ship with a knock of 34, before Woodlands hit back again to reduce East Bierley to 71 for seven. Woodlands again looked favourites but Thomas Owens (36no) and Robert Ellis (18no) had other ideas and steered their side home with two balls to spare with an unbroken stand of 45. Together they staved off the threat of in-form Pieter Swanepoel who took four for 58.

Woodlands only gained three points from the match and the impact of their loss became clearer as the results of their closest challengers came in. It will be interesting to see how they respond in their remaining games at home to Idle and away to Saltaire.

Pudsey Congs batted first in a match reduced to 42 overs a side against Brighouse and posted a total of 178 for six. Glenn Roberts and Andrew Bairstow both made 34 while Babar Butt chipped in with 31.

When Brighouse replied they ran into trouble against left arm opening bowler Neil Gill. He took five for 44 as they were dismissed for 114. James Stansfield top scored with 33.

Congs collected 17 points from their win and go into their final two games at Morley on Saturday and Hanging Heaton on the final day of the season with renewed hope.

So to will Pudsey St Lawrence after they gathered 19 points from an easy 141-run win over neighbours Farsley. Their last two fixtures are both at home against Brighouse and Idle.

Opener Alex Stead hit his second century in successive weeks to guide St Lawrence to a formidable total of 241 for four in an innings reduced by rain to 38 overs. Stead hit four sixes and ten fours.

Gary Fellows was also in fine form and made 71 not. He shared in a third-wicket strand of 174 with Stead which rescued St Lawrence after they had lost their first two wickets for 15 runs.

Farsley's innings was launched with an opening stand of 53 between Steve Simpson (26) and Ashley Metcalfe (24), but when both players were dismissed by teenage off spinner Chris Marsden at the same score, it sparked a collapse.

Four wickets fell for the addition of one run and after that the innings declined rapidly to 100 all out. Skipper Andrew Doidge, a former Farsley player, had his old side in a spin taking six for 27, while Marsden finished with figures of four for 22.

At the other end of the table Keighley's relegation was confirmed when they had their home match with Hanging Heaton abandoned without a ball being bowled, but Morley kept alive their hopes of survival with a two-wicket win over Saltaire.

Rain reduced the contest to 30 overs a side and Saltaire made 116 for eight batting first with Gulsheraz Ahmed hitting two sixes and six fours in a fine innings of 53. Nathan Bromby was the pick of the Morley bowlers with three for 53.

Morley were given a good start to their reply with openers Richard Haikings (32) and Michael Cooper (22) sharing a stand of 48.

After they were parted the wickets tumbled at regular intervals as Imran Arif (5-54) and Khurram Maqsood (3-51) put the home side under pressure.

Ed Galek stood firm and made a crucial unbeaten 21 and with help from skipper Dave Nebard (15) ensured his side scraped home with one ball to spare.

The 14 points gained enabled them to close the gap on third from bottom Cleckheaton - whose match at Baildon was abandoned without a ball being bowled - to 17 points.

If Morley are to complete a great escape they will have to do it the hard way. Their final two games are at home to Pudsey Congs and away to East Bierley.

Idle moved up to fifth place with a four-wicket win over Bradford & Bingley. Andy Marshall took four for 29 as they restricted Bradford & Bingley to 120 for nine in their innings which was reduced to 38 overs by a delayed start for rain.

Idle eased to their target with opener Javed Umarji (37) and overseas professional Dinusha Fernando (30no) their top scorer. Holding on to fifth place in the final two weeks of the season could prove tricky as Idle face trips to both Woodlands and Pudsey St Lawrence.