Bradford League: Rain-affected outcomes no distraction for St Lawrence

Muhammed Shahnawaz, of Batley, is ready to pounce but Joseph Plater, of Hunslet Nelson, makes his ground. PIC: Steve Riding

On a day when just one match was completed, St Lawrence had to settle for eight points, although they did pick up maximum batting points against Cleckheaton.

A majestic opening stand worth 174 from Adam Waite, who hit a high-class 102 not out and Mark Robertshaw (88) set the stage for St Lawrence to reach 246-2 declared, with captain James Smith smashing a fabulous unbeaten 42 from just 15 balls late on in tandem with Waite.

In reply, Cleck captain John Wood hit a brisk 31, only for the weather to spoil the fun with the visitors marooned at 62-1.

Second-placed Hanging Heaton accrued just three bowling points before the elements intervened against relegation-haunted Morley.

The visitors were in early bother at 1-2 at Bennett Lane, but the regular interventions from the rain stymied Heaton as Morley reached 159-7 before the game was abandoned, with George Robson (37) top-scoring with the Tewits having to settle for just six points.

Farsley, the third side in the title picture, also endured frustration at Lightcliffe.

The Red Laners reached 156-8. with Dan Hodgson (46) and James Wainman (35no) being the pick of their batsmen before play ended early.

They trail St Lawrence by 15 points with two matches to go.

The only conclusive outcome came at Bradford and Bingley, with the hosts edging home by two wickets against rock-bottom Scholes at Wagon Lane.

Opening, Scholes were dismissed for 151, with Joe Duffy hitting 41.

B&B prevailed, mainly thanks to the efforts of opener Jack Edgar (80) and captain Scott Etherington (31no) as they got over the line at 152-8, despite the best efforts of James Stansfield, who took an excellent 6-41.

Scholes are 29 points adrift of safety behind third-from-bottom East Bierley, with second-from-bottom Morley being ten points adrift of Bierley.

Pudsey Congs were stuck at 89-4 before the rains came against Bierley, with Joe Greaves left unbeaten on 42.

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THE ELEMENTS may have thwarted Townville’s title charge, but it did not stop opener Jonathan Booth from firing his third ton of a run-laden Championship B campaign.

Booth took his tally of league runs to 999 after smashing 120 in their declared score of 270-3 against Hopton Mills.

The free-scoring batsman put on 129 for the third wicket with Jack Hughes (79) and a further 100 for the next wicket with Conor Harvey (45no).

The weather ended proceedings early, but Townville, 43 points clear with three games left, can secure the championship next week with 18 more points.

Second-placed Wrenthorpe had their skates on to see off Carlton by nine wickets.

Jonathan Rudge (6-35) and Andrew Bourke (4-31) routed Carlton for just 74 before Wrens powered home in just 5.4 overs.

Weather checked the progress of title-chasing duo Batley and Yeadon in Championship A.

Leaders Batley were stuck at 24-0 after restricting Hunslet Nelson to 153-6, with Joseph Plater (51no) and Patrick Hinchliffe (49) in the runs for Nelson.

Similarly, Yeadon were marooned at 9-0 against Ossett before the heaven opened.

Ossett had earlier mustered 203-9, with opener Imran Patel (56) top-scoring, with Damon Gormley taking 4-28.

Elsewhere, there were wins for Undercliffe, Birstall and Baildon, who all managed to beat the weather.