Hanging Heaton stun Saints as Congs go top

Posted May 28, 2006

Hanging Heaton pulled of the biggest shock of the season so far when they
defeated previously unbeaten Division One leaders Pudsey St Lawrence by three wickets after a thrilling run chase which saw them ease home with four balls to spare.

Few would have predicted such an outcome when St Lawrence made 280 for five with James Smith (65no), Alex Stead (65) and Mark Whitehead (63) all making valuable runs.

But Hanging Heaton had their own hero. Opener Ranjit Don simply blasted the St Lawrence bowling to all parts. He smashed nine sixes and 12 fours in a brutal innings of 125.

It was his maiden Bradford League century and came out of an opening stand of 184 with chris Schofield who made 62. It was stunning stuff and though Gary Fellows took four for 59 to give St Lawrence hope, Sri Lankan overseas player Thilan Thushara guided his side home on his debut with an unbeaten 28.

Thushara had earlier discovered how tough Bradford League cricket can be. He took two wickets but his 15 overs cost him 100 runs.

St Lawrence's disappointment at losing was heightened when they discovered that their neighbours Pudsey Congs had defeated Baildon by four wickets at Jenny Lane to go top by a single point. That sets things up nicely for Monday's Pudsey derby at the Britannia Ground.

Neil Gill took four for 21 as Baildon were dismissed for 103, then Babar Butt, batting with a runner, steadying Congs nerves after they had slipped to 72 for five, and steered them home with an unbeaten 22. Phil Slater (3-28) bowled an impressive opening spell for Baildon but his side's total was too small to defend.

Champions Woodlands had more than a few nervous flutters before edging to a two-wicket win over rock-bottom Keighley. Keighley's total of 150 for nine was a smaller total than seemed likely when Rob Bartlett (48) and Lee Gordon (42) were together, but Woodlands had trouble beating it.

Safraz Ahmed, as he did so notably on the last day of last season to win his club their first league title, made an unbeaten 20 to see them home. Richard Pyrah (37) had top scored before the Woodlands slide began.

Idle also won by two wickets to move into fourth place. Their ninth-wicket pair of Steve Thompson (22no) and Graham Dobson (10no) shared an unbroken stand of 31 to see them home.

Until their brave efforts Morley had threatened to pull off a much-needed win. First Adam Larkin rescued them from 20 for five with a knock of 56 which enabled them to post a score of 139, then Nathan Bromby took four for 26 in a fine 15 over spell to give Idle the jitters.

Sri Lankan Dinusha Fernando continued his good form with five for 19 while Greg Colehan collected four for 47.

Morley have slipped into the relegation places as a result of their defeat and Cleckheaton's first win of the season. Cleckheaton defeated Brighouse by four wickets with skipper John Wood taking six for 46 as the visitors were dismissed for 214 at Moorend.

Brighouse did well to post such a score after slumping to 43 for six before Zube Raje (74no) and wicketkeeper Mark Horne(62) sparked a recovery.

Cleckheaton lost an early wicket in reply but overseas batsman Khurrum Shehzad soon took charge. He made 71 to continue his run of good scores and received good support from Craig Thornton (45no) and Adam Patel (37).

East Bierley are up to fifth after defeating Bradford & Bingley by 31 runs. Off spinner Grant Soames took four for 43 as Bradford & Bingley were restricted to 138 for nine in reply to a Bierley total of 169 for eight in which Kez Ahmed top scored with 31. The main contributors for Bradford & Bingley were Mark Beckett (37) and Chris Wheeler (35).

Saltaire's bowlers Mansa Khan (3-30), Imran Arif (3-42) and Ijaz Khan (3-270 set up their six-wicket success over Farsley at Red lane. The home side were dismissed for 122 and Saltaire eased home with Gulsheraz Ahmed making 35not out and Fawad Maqsood (34).

Division Two leaders Manningham Mills had little trouble beating lowly Hartshead Moor by seven wickets. Mohammed Maroof (4-39) and Jamal Hussain (3-22) helped bowl out Hartshead for 125, a total the Mills batsmen eased past with Adil Islam (34) and Muenoddin Kadri (32no).

Great Horton are now second after beating Windhill by seven-wickets. Windhill were skittled for 63 as Rizwan Akbar took six for 30 and Great Horton cruised to a victory which enabled them to overtake Undercliffe who suffered their first league defeat at Spen Victoria.

Former Yorkshire seamer Chris Elstub was the man who set up Spen's 52-run win by taking seven for 23 as Undercliffe were dismissed for just 68 in reply to a modest Spen score of 120. Sam Anderson (33) was Spen's top scorer while veteran Andy Wilsden (5-36) was the best undercliffe bowler.

Bowling Old Lane moved up to fourth place after a nail-biting one-wicket win over Esholt. Number nine batsman Zubair Najeeb (29no) steered his side home despite the best efforts of left arm spinner Graham Austin (4-40) and Nadim Hanif (3-52) to force a win for Esholt. Imran Mirza 45 top scored for Old Lane.

Esholt will have been disappointed with the defeat because they collapsed from 117 for one to 165 all out when batting first. The clatter of wickets ruined the good work of skipper Richard Whitehurst (79) and James Soulsby (33). Tahir Khan (6-33) was the man who triggered Esholt's demise.

Lightcliffe's batsmen were again in good form as they defeated Gomersal by 55 runs. James Horne (56) and Jonathan Wilson (47) led the way as Lightcliffe made 223 all out. Gomersal were dismissed for 168 with James Horne completing a good all round performance with three for 37 while Aleem Ladak took three for 39. Skipper Rob Burton (36), Adam Stott (35) and last man Bradley Drake (32) were Gomersal's top scorers.

Yeadon are still searching for their first win after a 36-run defeat at bankfoot. Sam Wilson (42) and Simon Curry (37) helped Bankfoot to make 184 for seven, then overseas professional Asad Ali took five for 37 as Yeadon were dismissed for 148. Former Idle player Steve Lawrence top scored with 42.