Rain causes even more frustration

Division One

All six matche were abandoned as heavy rain again caused severe disruption to the JCT600 Bradford League programme.

Champions Woodlands had their game at fourth-placed Bradford & Bingley washed out after just 16.2 overs at which point the home team were 69-2.

The clash between Woodlands’ two closest challengers, Pudsey St Lawrence and East Bierley, produced the most play. A total of 64.3 overs were possible at Tofts Road before the horrendous June weather had the final say.

East Bierley at least had the satisfaction of claiming maximum batting points as they compiled the day’s biggest score of 251-6 thanks to the efforts of opener Gavin Hamilton and Andrew Rennison who both made 68.

Skipper Lee Goddard, Division One’s leading runscorer, chipped in with 33 as his side set a challenging target for St Lawrence despite the efforts of former Nottinghamshire all-rounder Gareth Clough (3-52).

East Bierley must have been scenting victory when they reduced St Lawrence to 53-3, but the rain thwarted their efforts.

The consolation for both teams was the fact that they both made up ground on Woodlands whose lead over St Lawrence is 26 points with East Bierley three further back.

The teams at the bottom of the table were anxious to pick up bonus points to ease their plight and Farsley came off best of all as they gained 11 in their match with Manningham Mills.

Skipper Ian Philliskirk led the way with a knock of 63 as Farsley made 203-9 declared in 49 overs. Barrie Frankland’s (45) was also a valuable contribution.

Mills must have been glad to see the rain come because they were floundering at 44-4 after Matthew Lumb produced a burst of 4-15.

Pudsey Congs remain in the bottom two despite picking up ten points at Cleckheaton. Opener Nick Lindley (66) continued his good form, but the man who wore the biggest smile was former Cleckheaton all-rounder Eddie Walmsley who hit 50 against his old club. A breezy 34 not out from Richie Lamb saw Congs post a score of 226-7. Yorkshire paceman Iain Wardlaw was the most successful bowler with 3-67. Cleckheaton started brightly and were 24-0 after 4.2 overs when play was abandoned,

Undercliffe remain bottom despite taking nine points against Lightcliffe at Intake Road. The visitors made 229-9 declared in 46 overs with Yorkshire’s Alex Lees (71) and Charles Roebuck (58) leading the way against a bowling attack spearhead by Undercliffe’s overseas player Imran Khan (5-83). Undercliffe were 5-0 when play was called off.

Saltaire remain just above the relegation zone. They also took nine points as their match with Hanging Heaton was washed out after 34 overs. During that time they did at least claim four bowling points as Hanging Heaton made 129-8. Former Yorkshire wicketkeeper Ismail Dawood opened the inning and made 51 while Kamran Anwar again impressed with the ball for Saltaire as he returned figures of 4-34.

Division Two

Hartshead Moor were the only team able to force a win as there was at least some action in Division Two after two complete washouts.

Teenage spinner Jack Baldwin set up the win by taking 4-31 as he and Martin Riley (3-19) helped their side dismiss Idle for 144. With the dark clouds hovering around, Hartshead Moor didn’t hang around as they knocked off the runs in 25.2 overs with opener Graham Hilton making an unbeaten 49 and Craig Field (31no) as they sealed an eight-wicket win.

One team who were grateful to see the rain were leaders Yeadon. Their unbeaten record looked like going after third-placed Morley skittled them out for 80, but the weather prevented Morley from replying.

Ryan Mooney, who topped the Second Teams Division One averages last season, was the one batsman to make any impact with 34 as opening bowler Nathan Bromby (5-18) and spinner Kashif Naveed (3-20) had Yeadon reeling.

Bowling old Lane’s new overseas player Devraj Patil made a battling unbeaten 69 to rescue his side from 38-5 against Spen Victoria as Rob Burton took 3-23. Thanks to Patil, Old Lane reached 127-6 after 45.1 overs. Spen were 1-1 when play was abandoned.

Bankfoot looked to be heading for victory when their game wat Brighouse was washed out. Bankfoot were 72-0 at the time , with skipper Harvey Anderson unbeaten on 47. Brighouse’s modest 120 was comfortably in their sights.

Dan Dunkerley was the man who provided the bulk of Brighouse’s runs with 52 while old warhorse Greg Colehan took 4-23 for Bankfoot.

Promotion-hopefuls Gomersal weren’t abl;e to start their reply to Great Horton’s 173-9 due to the rain. Junaid Bashir (39no) and Afzal Khan (35) were their main contributors while left-arm spinner Chris Rhodes took 3-28.

Just 16.4 overs were possible at Busy Lane where Windhill were 37-2 against Keighley when play was prematurely ended.