JCT 600 Bradford League First Teams review July 27, 2008

Posted: July 27 2008

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Safraz Ahmed produced a stunning all-round performance to rescue champions Woodlands from another potential disaster and set up a win which took them 22 points clear at the top of the JCT 600 Bradford League Division One.

The giant all-rounder arrived at the wicket with his side in deep trouble at 111-8 against relegation-threatened Bowling Old Lane, but he quickly changed the complexion of the game with a ferocious 88 not out off just 34 balls which contained ten sixes.

He simply savaged the Bowling Old Lane attack and such was his dominance of an unbroken ninth-wicket stand of 96 that his partner, Pieter Swanepoel contributed just five runs.

The Woodlands innings was transformed by Safraz. A disappointing score became a respectable 207-8. Opener Scott Richardson with 44 was the only other batsman to make an impact as Mansha Khan (3-32) posed early problems.

When Old Lane batted they were soon confronted by Safraz again. He took three early wickets before leaving the field with a damaged finger. When he returned he took three more to finish with six for 38 as Old Lane were dismissed for 151. Khalid Rehman top scored with 55.

East Bierley, who started the day in second place, dropped to fourth after being totally outplayed by Baildon who have taken over second spot jointly with Pudsey Congs.

Baildon triumphed by 125 runs to collect a maximum 20 points. Skipper Ian Philliskirk (5-46) and Mushtaq Ahmed (3-49) were the men who had East Bierley in a spin but it was opening bowler Andy Walker who struck two telling early blows. He dismissed both Saturday's century makers, Gavin Hamilton and Greg Wood in successive balls. East Bierley were dismissed for 143 which was a disappointing response to Baildon's 268-6.

Wicketkeeper Matthew Duce, promoted to opener, set the tone with a blistering 87 in a a century opening stand with Philliskirk (52). Ahsan Butt built on their good work with an unbeaten 57 as the East Bierley bowlers were made to suffer in the sun.

Pudsey Congs also picked up maximum points as they defeated fifth-placed Cleckheaton by 75 runs. For the second successive day, Babar Butt made 91 not out and along with opener Adam Patel - who made a dashing 80 against his old club - and Andrew Bairstow (57) gave his side the impetus to compile a score of 251-3.

Cleckheaton were put in a spin when they replied. Jeremy Batty took his haul of wickets from the weekend's double programme to 11, with six for 42. Opener Mally Nicholson with 50 was top scorer as Cleckheaton were dismissed for 176.

Sixth-placed Bradford & Bingley lost further ground as they slumped to a 31-run defeat against Manningham Mills. They collapsed to 148 all out against the bowling of Adil Islam (5-43) and Quaiser Abbas (3-24) after Carl Sharp(43) had given the innings a sound start. Muenoddin Kadri top scored with 63 in the Manningham Mills innings of 179-9

Esholt , who suffered a two-wicket defeat with three balls to go at Cleckheaton on Saturday, lost out again in a tight finish. They went down by six runs to Pudsey St Lawrence in a high-scoring game. Chris Marsden struck a rapid 102 which set the tone for a St Lawrence total of 273-5. Gareth Clough weighed in with 68 while skipper James Smith made 43.

Esholt made a braved bid to go for the runs and looked to be well placed to win until Mark Cummins, who made a fine 99, and Gulsheraz Ahmed (74) were dismissed in quick succession. Esholt finished on 267-7.

Saltaire scrambled out of the relegation positions at Bowling old Lane's expense after a nervy one-wicket win over Yeadon. It all looked so easy when Tim Linley (6-26) helped skittle out Yeadon for 82, but Saltaire struggled in reply. Their nerves nearly got the better of them but 35 from wicketkeeper George Hicks proved decisive.

Bottom-team Brighouse were put to the sword by Hanging Heaton's Worcestershire player Imran Amin. The paceman, who made such a big impression on his first class debut against Glamorgan last week, took six for 32 as Brighouse were dismissed for 89 and smashed 52 not out as Hanging Heaton cruised to a nine-wicket win.