JCT 600 Bradford League First Teams review July 5, 2008

'Houdini' Woodlands snatch victory from the jaws of defeat

Posted: July 6, 2008

‘Houdini’ Woodlands produced another dramatic escape from the brink of defeat to snatch a one-wicket win over Saltaire off the last ball of a match reduced to 27 overs a side by rain.

Their unlikely heroes were Richard Spittlehouse, who hit two from the final ball, and his 14-year-old last-wicket partner Scott Richardson.

Woodlands went into the final over needing seven to win with two wickets in hand. The task looked comfortable when Tosh Baker hit Ijaz Khan's first ball for four, but after failing to score from the next one, Baker was caught by Tauseef Arshad attempting to paddle the ball round the corner.

His dismissal brought in young Richardson - son of club stalwart Wayne - and despite being crowded by fielders he managed to get a single from the only delivery he faced.

Two runs were needed from the last two balls, but the tension mounted as Spittlehouse - a former Saltaire player - couldn't score from the penultimate ball. Then came the dramatic finale as he drove the ball to long off and scampered two runs.

Once again Woodlands had gained a win when their batting had failed to fire. Adam Goldthorpe (32) was top scorer as Tim Linley (4-19) gave Saltaire the scent of a major upset.

For Saltaire defeat was cruel because they had clawed their way back from 28-7 to post a score of 84-9 thanks to the efforts of teenage batsman Nadeem Mohammad (30).

The victory means Woodlands are 14 points clear at the top from East Bierley who capitalised on Bradford & Bingley's seven-wicket defeat by Pudsey Congs to move into second place after an 84-run win at Esholt.

East Bierley smashed 212-9 in the 28 overs a side contest. Greg Wood (51) and Lee Goddard (50) set the tone of the innings while Durham fast bowler Mitch Claydon produced the late fireworks with six sixes in an unbeaten 47. Kez Ahmed took four for 32 as Esholt were restricted to 128-5.

Opener Mark Gill made an impressive 90 not out and Andrew Bourke (48) as Pudsey Congs inflicted a fourth defeat in seven games on Bradford & Bingley. Gill struck five sixes in a chanceless knock and his third-wicket partnership of 133 with Bourke ensured Congs overcame Bradford & Bingley's score of 167-6 with an over to spare. Opener Scott Etherington top scored for Bradford & Bingley while Amila Ranga (34no) and Phil Slater (34) were the other main contributors.

Bradford & Bingley are now joint third with Cleckheaton on 173 points, ten adrift of East Bierley and just one ahead of Congs

On a day when rain interrupted all of the matches the only incomplete game featured Cleckheaton. Opponents Pudsey St Lawrence opted to bat for the full 50 overs in making 195-9 despite an interruption which saw six overs lost. Nottinghamshire all-rounder Gareth Clough made 59 and skipper James Smith (41) while spinner Tom Pringle took three for 17 for Cleckheaton.

St Lawrence's decision to leave Cleckheaton with six less over meant they had to bowl them out to claim the ten points for the win. They looked to be on course to gain victory when Cleckheaton plunged from 70-0 to 133-9, but an unbeaten 20 from Ian Wardlaw thwarted their efforts. Cleckheaton finished on 148-9. Tim Grey took three for 12 and Gary Severn (3-36).

Baildon made light of the absence of their three injured seam bowlers, Craig Hitchenor, Andy Walker and Stuart Lemon as they won by four wickets at Hanging Heaton. The home side made 197-5 before declaring after 43 overs. Haroon Rashid was the top scorer with a fluent 73, while his brother Amar made 38 and Chris Schofield (31).

Baildon eased to victory with two overs to spare thanks largely to skipper Ian Philliskirk (56) and Simon Webb (33).

All rounder Grant Soames took four for 25 and made 27 as Yeadon defeated relegation-threatened Bowling Old Lane by three wickets. Old Lane were restricted to 128-8 in a match reduced to 36 overs a side. Fahid Rehman was the pick of the Old Lane batsmen with 28.

Rock-bottom Brighouse took another beating. This time they went down by seven wickets to Manningham Mills after being bowled out for 81. Opener Adil Islam (28no) guided Mills to their target.

Division Two leaders Farsley had to overcome a scare before defeating Lightcliffe by five wickets. Farsley were reduced to seven for three before skipper David Syers came to their rescue. He made an unbeaten 67 which contained two sixes and 11 fours to enable his side to overhaul Lightcliffe's disappointing score of 115 all out. Matthew Lumb (3-12), Lorenzo Ingram (3-12) and Robert Thornton (3-50) were the pick of the bowlers. Opener Bruce Lunn made a defiant 58 for Lightcliffe but lacked support.

Idle's overseas opener Mohammad Fayyaz was in dominant form at Hartshead Moor. Fayyaz made an unbeaten 97 as his side secured a five-wicket win. Fayyaz struck four sixes and ten fours and made his runs out of a score of 116-5. Young opening bowler Joel Pollard picked up (5-45) for Hartshead Moor who had earlier been dismissed for 113 with Mohammad Rasool taking three for 35 and Andy Marshall (3-38).

Gomersal cashed in on surprise defeats for Keighley and Undercliffe to move into third place. Overseas player Kashif Naveed was the star of their 63-run win over near-neighbours Spen Victoria. Naveed made a century when the sides met at Oxford Road earlier this season and this time he hit an unbeaten 53 and took seven for 36. Richard Gould (77) and Adam Greenwood (46) were the other main contributors to a total of 205-5 made in 41 overs. Spen were dismissed for 142 with skipper Peter Jackson top scoring with 35.

Bankfoot recovered from two successive losses to inflict an eight-wicket defeat on Keighley in a match reduced to 25 overs each. Keighley made a disappointing 102-7 despite the efforts of Ross Towler (41no) and Max Davidson (32). Nigel Hanson was again the best Bankfoot bowler with four for 32. Bankfoot were guided to victory by South African Gareth Von Hoesslin who made an unbeaten 54.

Ziafat Ashraf hit an unbeaten 60 as Great Horton defeated Undercliffe by six wickets in a 32 overs a side contest. Abid Alishan weighed in with 39 as Undercliffe's score of 149-6 was overhauled. For Undercliffe, overseas player Nawaz Sardar made 65 and skipper James Clarke (42).

Morley, under the leadership of Adam Larkin following the departure of skipper Matthew Taylor, suffered another disappointing defeat. They went down by 157 runs to Windhill. Overseas player Ammar Mahmood made the day's only century - 100 not out - as Windhill plundered 230-6 in 44 overs. Neil Johnson (45) was the other main contributor. Morley were bowled out for 73 with Dan Walton taking four for seven and Iqbal Khan (3-25).