JCT 600 Bradford League Second Teams review July 19, 2008

Dan's the man as East Bierley go marching on

Posted: July 20, 2008

Young fast bowler Dan Abbott made a quick impression as leaders East Bierley made it 14 wins from 16 games as they secured a crushing nine-wicket win at Farsley.

Abbott took five for seven as Farsley were skittled out for 53 with only Steve Cockshott (22) reaching double figures.

East Bierley were guided to their victory target by former Farsley opener Steve Simpson who made 36 not out.

Second-placed Esholt were also winners. They beat Pudsey Congs by five wickets with skipper Dave Dawson striking six sixes and six fours in an unbeaten 87 as they overhauled a Congs score of 150 all out. Richard Marsden took five for 40 and Chris Dawson (3-45).

Opener Paul Machell made 88 as Yeadon ended Cleckheaton's good run. Yeadon made 191-9, despite in-form Marcus Walmsley taking four for 18, and dismissed Cleckheaton for 158 when they replied. A last wicket partnership of 54 between Adam Fearnley (36no) and Chris Dyer (33) gave Yeadon a late scare before they wrapped up victory with Jon Carey taking four for 35 and Rob Welsh (3-42).

Leg spinner Jamie Abbott took four for nine as Baildon bowled out Pudsey St Lawrence for 73 before going on to win by six wickets.

The most exciting finish was at Bennett Lane where Spen Victoria - for the second time this season - scrapped home by one run. There appeared to be little hope for Spen when they were bowled out for 92 despite an unbeaten 36 from 15-year-old Sean Raven. Michael Horner (4-34) and Peter Byrne (3-33) did the damage.

Hanging Heaton looked the likely winners while opener Howard Ellis (47) was at the wicket, but once he was out Spen seized their opportunity and dismissed Hanging Heaton for 91. John Ireland picked up four for 31 and Tom Sharp (3-25).

There was also a win for bottom team Bowling Old Lane. They defeated Lightcliffe by six wickets with opener Gaz Rehman making 63 not out as they overcame a Lightcliffe score of 119 all out. Haseeb Younis took three for seven and Talat Sajawal (3-39).

Keighley ended their run of poor results with a four-wicket win over Woodlands. Waris Ismail took five for 41 as Woodlands were bowled out for 141. Allan Broadley made 35 as Keighley eased to victory with seven overs to spare.

Division Two leaders Bradford & Bingley maintained their position with a crushing nine-wicket win over Hartshead Moor. Danny Trowers and Waj Ali each took three for 21 as Hartshead Moor were shot out for 65. Bradford & Bingley eased to their target in 15.1 overs.

Morley moved into second place after a crushing 185-run win over Idle. Richard Winn blasted 64 and Liam Fynn (38) as Morley made 209 before rolling over Idle for just 24. Fynn completed a fine all-round performance by taking five for 12. Matthew Dowse took three for six.

Promotion-chasing Undercliffe and Manningham Mills were both beaten. Undercliffe went down by 58 runs to Windhill. Opener Andy Evans top-scored with 55 for Windhill in a total of 178. So ny Matharu took four for 43 for Undercliffe.

When Undercliffe batted they struggled against the bowling of Danny Maguire (4-30) and were dismissed for 120 despite a defiant 54 from opener Sofian Khan.

Manningham Mills were the latest victims of fast-improving Saltaire. Mills were dismissed for 106 despite 53 from opener Asif Amir. Govinder Barjota took three for 31 for Saltaire who replied with 159-7. Usman Munir (39no) and Joe Hicks (35) were Saltaire's top scorers.

Gomersal are another side running in to form. Josh Fell took six for 28 as they bowled out Bankfoot for 145. Once again Nick Gomersal was Bankfoot's top scorer with 46. Andy Gorrod made an unbeaten 57 as Gomersal secured a five-wicket win.

Royston Light took four for 26 and hit 59 for Brighouse but ended up on the losing side against Great Horton. Brighouse went down by 30 runs as they were dismissed for 146 in reply to a Great Horton score of 176-9 which was built around Zubair Ashraf's knock of 67.