Action from Lightcliffe v Spen Victoria

PHOTO GALLERY - LIGHTCLIFFE V SPEN VICTORIA

Division One

Baildon inflicted a first defeat of the season on champions Woodlands and that enabled Saltaire to take over as the surprise leaders.

Saltaire, who had seen their Worcestershire opening bowler transferred to Birmingham League side Kidderminster 24 hours earlier to meet with the First Class county's wishes, bounced back with a third straight win - this time by 87 runs over newly-promoted Farsley.

And they could hardly believe their luck when they heard that Baildon - a side with a reputation for beating the top teams - had defeated Woodlands by eight wickets. It meant they topped the table by a single point from Baildon.

Saltaire know the fun may not last but they are going to savour the experience. Their latest success was set up by a maiden Bradford League century from young batsman Tom Slater. His 101 enabled them to post a total of 190-9. Farsley, despite 50 from Ashley Metcalfe, were dismissed for 103 with the hard-working Tim Linley taking four for 38.

Champions Woodlands had picked up maximum points from their opening two games, but they soon found themselves in trouble at Baildon. Skipper Tim Orrell hit three sixes and five fours in a defiant knock of 57, but only Pieter Swanepoel (30) of the remaining batsmen made an impression as Craig Hitchenor (3-28) and Mushtaq Ahmed (3-37) exploited the conditions. The cha,pions were dismissed for 145.

Baildon had little trouble in reaching their victory target. Opener Tabi Bhatti batted resolutely for an unbeaten 66 which was punctuated with two sixes and nine fours, while skipper Ian Philliskirk struck an unbeaten 50 off 54 balls with seven boundaries. Baildon, who also defeated Woodlands at Jenny Lane last season, got home with more 13 overs to spare.

Pudsey St Lawrence saw their unbeaten run brought to an end when East Bierley hauled themselves off the foot of the table with a five-wicket win. Left-arm spinner Luke Jarvis set up the win by taking five for 39 as St Lawrence made a disappointing 140-9. Only Alex Stead with 47 looked at ease. East Bierley overcame a shaky start to win comfortably thanks to an innings of 52 from Andrew Rennison.

East Bierley were one of four sides to record their first win - Gomersal, Bradford & Bingley and Cleckheaton were the others.

Gomersal had a trio of former Esholt players to thank for their six-wicket success against Manningham Mills. Gulsheraz Ahmed - last year's Division One all-rounder of the year - took five for 30 and gained good support from left arm spinner Ben Platt who picked up three for 32 as Manningham Mills were dismissed for 101. Gomersal were guided to victory by Platt (38no) and Shahzaib Khan (32no)

It was yet another former Esholt player, Mark Cummins who guided Cleckheaton to their first triumph. His unbeaten 70 steered them to an eight-wicket win over Hanging Heaton. Indian opener Vipinlal Manikoth (37) was the top scorer in a disappointing total of 164 all out. Ian Wood took four for 29 and Ian Wardlaw (3-52). The result drops Hanging Heaton to the bottom of the table.

Old-stager Richard McCarthy (4-38) helped Bradford & Bingley to break their duck with a 23-run win over Yeadon. He ensured that Yeadon were unable to capitalise on the good work of James Todd (57) and Dan Shuffe (39). Yeadon finished on 188-9 in reply to Bradford & Bingley's 211-9. Matthew Duce (46) and Chris Thompson (36) were the top scorers while Oliver Halliday (4-78) was the pick of Yeadon's bowler.

Division 2

Evergreen Greg Colehan has made an impressive start to the new season. He boosted his wicket tally by taking six for 20 as leaders Bankfoot skittle sad Morley out for just 53. Teenager Marcus Walmsley chipped in with three for 10. Bankfoot cruised to a nine-wicket win.

Lightcliffe joined them at the top after a thrilling ten-run win over previously unbeaten Spen Victoria. The visitors looked set for victory when skipper Peter Jackson (67) and Matthew Speck (42) shared an opening stand of 118 in reply to Lightcliffe's total of 194-9. However, Australian Simon Black took four wickets and skipper Richard Nichols three as Spen got and attack of the jitters. Umar Salim (48) and Jonathan Wilson (40) were Lightcliffe's best batters while Dan Abbott (4-63) was Spen's most successful bowler.

Undercliffe underlined why many people feel they are good bets for promotion with a convincing six-wicket win over Bowling Old Lane. Chris Greenwood took four for 11 and Ben Heritage (3-17) as Old Lane were dismissed for 85. Andrew Duckworth was unbeaten on 49 when Undercliffe clinched their victory. Skipper Amjad Khan took three for 31 for Old Lane.

Keighley, a side many thought would be challenging at the top end of the table, are second from bottom after a third-successive defeat. They went down by two-wickets to Idle who were guided towards their success by skipper Greg Pickles (49). Ashley Robinson tried hard to turn the game Keighley's way with five for 33, but Idle weren't to be denied. Earlier, former Queensbury bowler Phil Sharples took five for 28 as Keighley were dismissed for 142.

Brighouse are now propping up the table after losing by six wickets at Windhill. Craig Wiseman took four for 32 and Darren Drake (3-16) as Brighouse were bowled out for 92. Windhill raced to their target with opener Mohammad Altaf making an unbeaten 50. finish.

Hartshead Moor made it two wins from three games after defeating Great Horton by two runs in a nail-biting finish. Joel Pollard (4-17) and Craig Woodhead (3-15) enabled them to dismiss Great Horton for 101 in reply to their 103 all out. Altaf Hussain Snr was the pick of the Great Horton bowlers with five for eight.