Woodlands beat Saints as title race reignites

Scholes batsman Liam Thomas attempts to play a shot during Saturdays Bradford League Division Two derby at Gomersal. Pictures: Paul Butterfield

Woodlands are now just 14 points behind St Lawrence, with Hanging Heaton a further 14 behind following their impressive win over New Farnley.

Teenage pace bowler Elliot Richardson claimed the first four Saints wickets to fall and ended with figures of 4-52 as the visitors were restricted to 176-9, with opener Adam Waite top scoring with a battling 72.

Woodlands began their reply brightly before slipping to 107-6.

Logan Weston hit an unbeaten 54 and shared a crucial eighth wicket partnership with Chris Brice (26).

When last man Richardson strode to the crease, Woodlands were still eight runs short of the Lawrence total but the no11 hit boundaries from the first two balls he faced to see Woodlands over the line.

Hanging Heaton produced a thrilling run chase to overhaul New Farnley’s impressive total of 274-5.

Lee Goddard (68no), Scott Richardson (46), Rishi Limbechaya (40) and Matthew Good (38) had led the way Farnley on a difficult day for the bowlers.

Openers Gary Fellows (67) and Nick Connolly (66) set the tone for the successful run chase with a 134-run first-wicket partnership.

Ian Philliskirk (39) and Joe Fraser (34) built on their good work with important contributions, the former hitting three sixes from one over to ease the pressure.

Big hitting David Stiff then clattered three sixes and a four on his way to 25 not out to see Heaton over the finish line.

Champions Cleckheaton could still have big say in the title race and trail leaders St Lawrence by 31 points following victory over Pudsey Congs.

Cleckheaton were struggling on 67-5 before James Lee (72) and Tanzeel Altaf (50) shared a 118-run stand for the sixth wicket as the Moorenders reached 210.

Congs opener Nick Lindley carried his bat for 53 not out but the last six wickets fell for 26 runs as Iain Wardlaw (4-42) and Altaf (3-37) impressed.

Congs lost their last four wickets for just one run and were bowled out for 115.

East Bierley were unable to build on the previous week’s superb win over St Lawrence as they crashed to a seven-wicket defeat at bottom side Saltaire.

Danish Hussain (45) top scored but Bierley were bowled out for 153 as overseas layer Chauhan Landev and Adil Mustafa each took 3-28.

Saltaire eased to victory with Asif Ayub (47no) and Tariq Mehboob (41no) steering them home.

Just 11 points now separate second-bottom Farsley from East Bierley in eighth, with Saltaire still 25 points adrift at the foot of the table.