Posted April 15, 2006

 

Yorkshire all-rounder Richard Pyrah took seven for 44 as champions Woodlands launched their defence of the SDS Bradford League crown with an emphatic six wicket win over Hanging Heaton.

Opening the bowling in the absence overseas star Safraz Ahmed, Pyrah posed a constant threat to the new-look Hanging Heaton side which was dismissed for just 86 at Albert Terrace.

Left arm spinner Chris Brice (3-19) picked up the remaining wickets as Hanging Heaton were dismissed in 29.5 overs. Former Yorkshire wicketkeeper Ismail Dawood (20) was the top scorer.

Woodlands lost four wickets passing their opponent's score. Scott Richardson (21) and Pyrah (20) were Woodlands' top scorers.

Pudsey Congs' new overseas player Muhammad Azhar Ullah made an impressive debut. He took five for 27 as he helped his side to an eight-wicket win over much-weakened Cleckheaton.

Cleckheaton were dismissed for 92 despite a battling 32 from new-boy Craig Thornton. Congs slipped to 13 for two in reply before Babar Butt (35no) and Bradley Parker (34no) steered their side home.

Another bowler to impress on the opening day was Pudsey St Lawrence skipper Andrew Doidge. The off spinner claimed six for 26 as his side secured a 98-run win at Baildon.

St Lawrence batted first and made 170 for seven thanks to 40 from Gary Fellows and 35 from opener Marl Whitehead.

Baildon got off to the worst possible start in reply losing opener Simon Davies before a run had been scored.

Skipper Ian Philliskirk (25) was the only batsman to post any kind of threat as Baildon crashed to 72 all out. Gary Severn (3-9) gave good support to skipper Doidge.

East Bierley launched their season with a battling four-wicket win over Saltaire. Opener John Proud guided them past Saltaire's score of 160 all out with an unbeaten 73. East Bierley reaching their target with 22 balls to spare.

Earlier, Khurram Maqsood struck four sixes and five fours in an aggressive innings of 62 for Saltaire whose other main contributor was Safraaz Mahomed (31). Jaffer Nazir was the pick of the Bierley bowlers with three for 27.

Bradford & Bingley new South African pace bowler Nkateko Ethy Mbhalti made a promising start. He took three for 35 as his side defeated Morley by 51 runs.

Ed Galek (74) tried in vain to keep Morley in the hunt as they replied to a Bradford & Bingley score of 186 for nine, but he lacked support and his side were eventually dismissed for 136.

Bradford & Bingley's total was based around solid contributions from Richard Nichols (39), Chris Thompson (38) and Matthew Cockshott (31). Nathan Bromby was the pick of the Morley bowlers with four for 28.

Newly-promoted Brighouse got off to a winning start. They defeated Idle by 46 runs with new recruit Gary Wainwright making an invaluable 65 as they made 198 for eight batting first. Overseas professional Rizwan Ahmed weighed in with 43 while skipper James Stansfield hit 36.

Idle were unable to keep up with the required run rate in reply and were restricted to 152 for eight in their 50 overs. Martin Hanson (3-43) and Rizwan Ahmed (3-56) were the top bowlers for Brighouse.

The match between Keighley and Farsley was the only one that wasn't completed. Play was abandoned with Farsley on 59 for two in reply to the day's best Division One score of 205 for six from last year's Division Two champions Keighley. Lee Gordon (68) and Paul Spragg (51) shared a second-wicket stand of 92.