JCT 600 Bradford League Second Teams review July 26, 2008

East Bierley increase their lead with easy win

Posted: July 27, 2008

There's just no stopping East Bierley. The champions continued their relentless pursuit of a second successive JCT 600 Bradford League Second Teams Division One title with a 108-run win over Pudsey St Lawrence.

It earned them a maximum 20 points and they are now 32 clear of Esholt who suffered a six-wicket defeat against Sovereign Health Care Priestley Shield semi-finalists Cleckheaton.

Opener Steve Simpson made 91, Arron Brook (41) and Matthew Anderson (38no) as East Bierley built a score of 262-8 before dismissing St Lawrence for 154. Paul Ellis was the chief wicket-taker with four for 30.

Teenage all-rounder Marcus Walmsley played a key role in Cleckeaton's win over Esholt. He took four for 54 as Esholt made 211-9 and followed up by scoring 48 as Cleckheaton eased home with 4.2 overs to spare. Rhys Jowett maintained his good form with 58 while Craig Blackburn was unbeaten on 36 when victory was clinched.

Two wins in two days have eased Farsley fears of relegation. They followed up their success at Pudsey St Lawrence with a thrilling one-wicket win over the nine men of Hanging Heaton with one ball to spare Harpal Ryatt (59) and James Higgins (43no) helped them overcome a Hanging heaton score of 216. James Byrne (76) and Chris Goodaire (50) were the top scorers for Hanging Heaton.

Baildon also opened some daylight between themselves and the bottom two with a 37-run win over Pudsey Congs. Mohammad Nawaz was their star performer making 37 as he and Mohammad Abbass (53) helped their side to a score of 187, then he took five for 24 as Congs perished for 150 despite an unbeaten 48 from James Bragg.

Lightcliffe remain rock bottom after an eight-wicket defeat by Keighley. Once again last season's runners up failed to make sufficient runs. They were bowled out for 147 despite 36 not out from skipper Gareth Stevens. Woris Ismail took three for 22 and Ashley Robinson (3-39) for Keighley. Opener Liam Dyson made 63 not out and Jonathan Wilkinson (45no) as Keighley eased to their win.

Bowling Old Lane climbed out of the bottom two at the expense of Spen Victoria - the team they defeated by six wickets. Haseeb Younis (4-52) and Haqeeq Siddique (4-37) helped bowl out Spen for 185 despite half centuries from Leigh Manton (53no) and Sean Raven (50). Old Lane raced top their victory target with Gaz Rehman hitting 62, Fazal Hussain (35) and skipper Siddique (30no).

Yeadon's in form bowler Nick Darfield (3-39) and Jonathan Carey (4-49) restricted Woodlands to a score of 171 as their side secured a five-wicket win. Adam Wood top scored with 53 for Woodlands but lacked support. Yeadon reached their target with seven balls to spare thanks to Andrew Pickering (53), Paul Machell (34) and Jon Carey (33).