Simpson's ton gives leaders an easy win

Posted: June 15, 2008

 

 

Opener Steve Simpson struck an unbeaten 104 as JCT 600 Bradford League Second Teams Division One champions East Bierley defeated Yeadon by seven-wickets to retain their position at the top of the table.

Simpson, who was playing first team cricket for Farsley last season, struck five sixes and 11 fours as Bierley eased past Yeadon's score of 151 all out. Paul Machell (54) was top scorer for Yeadon as pace bowler Chris Brook took three for 24.

Second-placed Esholt closed East Bierley's lead to ten points with a 195-run thrashing of Spen Victoria. Tony Brassington (62), former Spen Victoria player Chris Hester (51no), Masaver Siddique (47), Jason Wilkinson (41) and Dave Dawson (34no) all made telling contributions to a score of 258-4. Spen were then skittled out for 63 with another of their old boys, Richard Marsden, taking five for 20.

Cleckheaton's Walmsley's twins were in the thick of action as they helped their side to secure an impressive six-wicket win at Woodlands. Marcus took four for 32 and Edward (4-37) as Woodlands were dismissed for 185. Harry Smallwood (47) was the pick of the Woodlands batsmen.

When Cleckheaton replied Marcus Walmsley made a fine 86 as he shared an opening stand of 107 with Chris Dobson (56). Chris Stott was unbeaten on 35 when victory was achieved.

James Butterfield struck an unbeaten 93 and Mohammad Nawaz (63) as Baildon defeated Farsley by eight wickets. Terry Staniforth (65no) and Joe Greaves (39) had been the main contributors to Farsley's score of 200-7 which Baildon past with 10.3 overs to spare.

Last year's runners up Lightcliffe are fighting relegation this time. Their latest reverse came at Hanging Heaton where they lost by 31 runs. Opener Howard Ellis hit 73 as Hanging Heaton made 191-8 despite the efforts of spinner Dean Heyhoe (4-47). Lightcliffe were dismissed for 160, despite the efforts of Amir Yaqub (48) and Rob Crookes (34), as Chris Goodaire took five for 23.

Third-placed Keighley picked up a maximum 20 points as they defeated Pudsey Congs by 104 runs. Skipper Alan Birkett (92) and Tim Burnley (67) helped them to compile an impressive score of 277-7 before Ashley Robinson destroyed the Congs innings with a spell of eight for 36. Congs were dismissed for 173 with James Bragg (48) and Phil Allinson (40) the main contributors.

Taimoor Shahid (81no) and Niall Colman (75no) steered Pudsey St Lawrence to an emphatic nine-wicket win over struggling Bowling Old Lane. Young spinner Adam Hopkins again made his mark by taking five for 53 as Old Lane were dismissed for 182. Gaz Rehman (69) and Hasseb Younis (51) gave respectability to their side's innings after they had tumbled to 38-5.

It's all change at the head of Division Two after defeats for the previous top two Morley and Manningham Mills. They have now been leap-frogged by Bradford & Bingley and Undercliffe.

All-rounder Waj Ali was the outstanding performer as Bradford & Bingley defeated Morley by 94 runs. He made 49 and took five for 40 to secure a maximum 20-point win which saw his side take over at the top.

Adam Swallow swooped to take four for 32 as Morley were dismissed for 138 in response to a Bradford & Bingley score of 232-6 which included a splendid 92 from opener Robert Walker.

Manningham Mills tripped up against Windhill. They were defeated by 21 runs as Ryan Holdsworth took four for 75 as Mills were dismissed for 219 in reply to a Windhill score of 240-7.

Anza Jahangir took six for 40 as Undercliffe dismissed Bankfoot for 169 on their way to the five-wicket win which enabled them to climb into second place.

Myles Robinson (68) was the pick of the Bankfoot batsmen while Andy Wilsdon (44), Ryan Heritage (41no) and Sunny Matharu (36) were the main contributors for Undercliffe.

Idle had a nail-biting one-wicket win over Great Horton in a low-scoring encounter. Victory looked a formality when Shane Marshall (4-23) and Paul Wright (4-21) dismissed Great Horton for 93, but Idle found batting equally troublesome.

They plunged to 84-9 before their last wicket pair of Matty Marshall and Aaron Stoney saw them home. Jamil Akhtar (3-22) and Shabir Ellahi (3-31) were the pick of the Great Horton bowlers.

Gomersal's batsmen piled on the agony for Brighouse. Matthew Wilby (73), Reece Drake (69), Andy Gorrod (69) and Andy Fearnsides (44no) helped their side to a daunting 328-7 despite the efforts of Dave Ryan (5-107).

Brighouse made a spirited reply and finished on 210-9. James Thrush was on song with an unbeaten 69. Skipper Chris Rhodes took four for 27 for Gomersal.

Saltaire picked up maximum points as they defeated Hartshead Moor by 169 runs. Youngsters Tom Forster (95) and Robert Worsnop (63) guided Saltaire to a total of 277-7. Hartshead Moor were dismissed for 108 with Sajid Ali taking four for 19 and Adam Butt (3-41).