JCT 600 Bradford League First Teams review August 23 2008

Posted: August 23, 2008

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Farsley clinched promotion back to the JCT 600 Bradford League Division One with a convincing seven-wicket win over Keighley.

The result means they need just four more points from their remaining two games to clinch the title and few would back against them.

They hold a 36 point lead over Gomersal who they will face in their final match of the season at Red Lane on September 6.

Keighley, who started the day in second place, were outplayed. They were dismissed for a disappointing score of 119 on a wicket which gave assistance to the bowlers, and then saw the stylish Lorenzo Inghram make an unbeaten 66 to steer Farsley home.

Ashley Metcalfe (4-41) and Robert Thornton (3-25) were the bowlers who kept Keighley in check. Only wicketkeeper Richard Wood (30no) looked comfortable.

Farsley lost two early wickets before Inghram and Shabbir Rashid (35) took charge. Inghram hit three sixes and six fours and demonstrated just why he is such a vital cog in the Farsley side.

Keighley's defeat drops them to fourth place behind Gomersal and Idle who both recorded valuable wins.

Gomersal opener Richard Gould became the first batsman to make 1,000 league runs this season when he reached 37 in an innings of 89 which helped his side to make 232-6 against Hartshead Moor. Adam Greenwood weighed in with 47 and followed up by taking six for 41 as Hartshead Moor were dismissed for 127.

Young left-hander Greg Pickles preserved Idle's outside chance of promotion with an unbeaten innings of 96 as they defeated Undercliffe by three wickets with four balls to spare. Pickles hit four sixes and eight fours as Idle overcame an Undercliffe score of 204-8. Skipper James Clarke made 72 and Nawaz Sardar (54).

Former Idle bowler Greg Colehan took six for 17 as Bankfoot dismissed Great Horton for just 54 to set up an eight-wicket win.

Spen Victoria and Lightcliffe both improved their hopes of avoiding having to apply for re-election with wins. Skipper Peter Jackson hit 83 as Spen beat Windhill by 23 runs. Jackson helped his side to a total of 173 and despite the efforts of Amar Mahmood (65no) they clung on for victory with Robert Warriner taking three for six, Imran Arif (3-33) and Mohammad Maroof (3-53).

Lightcliffe defeated fellow strugglers Morley by 16 runs. Skipper Richard Nichols took five for 34 to seal their success. Morley, after a bright start from Danny Lloyd (33) crumbled to 162 all out in reply to Lightcliffe's score of 178. Sean Robinson (36) was their top scorer while spinners Richard Barber (3-16) and Tom Smith (3-62) were their best bowlers.

Pieter Swanepoel produced stunning figures of eight for 26 as champions Woodlands bowled out Bradford & Bingley for just 47 to set up a seven-wicket win.

Despite winning convincingly, Woodlands saw their lead trimmed by five-points to 19 as Pudsey Congs defeated Hanging Heaton by 66 runs. Spinners Jeremy Batty (4-30) and Glenn Roberts (3-44) were again prominent as Congs dismissed Hanging Heaton for 186. Skipper Alan Mynett top scored with 41.

Congs, who gained a maximum 20 points for their win, made 252-5 batting first. Opener Adam Patel made 72, while Andrew Bairstow hit 59 and skipper Matthew Doidge and unbeaten 44.

East Bierley were given a scare by Bowling Old Lane before emerging with a 59-run win at Bowling Old Lane.

East Bierley, batting first, were dismissed for 123 as left arm spinner Mohammad Hanif (5-31) and Zubair Najeeb (3-24) posed problems. Only skipper Gavin Hamilton (30) and Toby Drummond (30) made any impression.

Old Lane, in need of points to avoid relegation, saw any hope of a surprise win disappear as they were dismissed for 64. Former Yorkshire left-armer Paul Hutchison took four for 20 while Mitch Claydon (3-17) and Kez Ahmed (3-21) also bowled well.

Old Lane dropped back into the bottom two following their loss and Saltaire's 222-run win over hapless Brighouse.

Wicketkeeper George Hicks made 114 not out for Saltaire - his maiden Bradford League century - with two sixes and 19 fours. Thanks to his efforts Saltaire were able to declare after 43 overs with a total of 250-3 on the board. The decision gave them 57 overs to bowl out Brighouse, but they need just 16.4 to dismiss them for 28. Opening bowler Tim Linley took seven for nine.

Faltering Cleckheaton suffered another defeat. This time they went down by seven wickets to Baildon after being bowled out for 95. Ahsan Butt (4-15) and Craig Hitchenor (3-27) did the damage.

Esholt eased their relegation worries with a nail-biting three-wicket win over Manningham Mills. Their hopes of victory appeared slim when they slipped to 39-6 in reply to Manningham Mills' score of 100 all out, but Ben Platt (29) and Shahzaib Khan (27no) kept their nerve to edge their side home. Overseas player Abbas (34) top scored for Mills who struggled against the bowling of Gulsheraz Ahmed (7-18).

Yeadon are still precariously placed just above the relegation zone. They were involved in a tense game with Pudsey St Lawrence which they lost by eight runs. Alex Stead made 55 as St Lawrence were dismissed for 126. Off spinner Grant Soames again performed well to take four for 14.

James Todd (34) battled hard for Yeadon but they were bowled out for 118 as Gary Severn took three for 32 and Gareth Clough (3-29). The win lifts St Lawrence to fifth place - their highest position of the season.