Big scores and tight finishes the order of the day as Bradford League finally gets under way

Nick Connolly hit 107 and shared a stand of 120 with Gary Fellows (54) and 97 with Joe Fraser (55) as Hanging Heaton set a target of 271-5 in the Premier League Cup. But Townville opener Jonny Booth blasted back with 10 fours and 10 sixes in an unbeaten 143 and with Conor Harvey hitting 70, the visitors clinched victory with five balls left. Ed Brown (92no) and Yasir Abbas (48) helped Bradford & Bingley to 253, Josh Priestley taking 5-60. But an unbroken 119 stand between Chris Marsden (80no) and Barrie Frankland (44no) saw Pudsey St Lawrence home. Lee Goddard (97) and Steve Bullen (55no) led New Farnley’s successful chase of Cleckheaton’s 194-6 in which Toby Booth (65) and Kris Ward (50) were the main contributors. Mohammad Suleman (55) led the way as Wrenthorpe passed Methley’s 174-8, which included 62 from Marcus Walmsley. Three cheap wickets each for Muhammad Shahnawaz, Tariq Hussain and Mohammed Bhoola dismissed Morley for 92, setting up a comfortable three-wicket victory for Batley. In the Division One Cup, Carlton amassed the biggest score of the day with 335-8 against Birstall with Daniel Ford and Farrouk Alam both scoring 134 apiece. Birstall could make only 196-8 in reply. East Bierley opener Matthew West hit 113 to steer his side to a six-wicket victory over Ossett who had earlier posted 274-7. Knocks of 47 not out and 38 from Joe Wood and Adam Greenwood saw Hartshead Moor record a comprehensive eight-wicket win over Baildon who could amass only 136-8. Pudsey Congs claimed a narrow one-wicket victory over Keighley in a low-scoring affair. Chasing 126 to win, Vinit Patel top scored with 28 not out as Congs edged past the winning post. Elsewhere, Bankfoot skipper James Lee scored 59 and took 3-36 in a 45-run win at Gomersal. **** RAWDON and Otley lead the way at the top of the Aire-Wharfe League Division One table after the second weekend of action. Spells of 4-39 and 3-12 from Andrew Doidge and Sam Baxter ensured Rawdon restricted Addingham to 135 all out chasing Rawdon’s total of 190-9 in which Gareth Clough hit 53. Otley enjoyed a comfortable 92-run victory over Olicanian. Damon Reeve top scored with 47 not out in his side’s total of 191-7 and then took two wickets as the hosts closed on 99 all out. Third-placed Collingham and Linton cruised to an eight-wicket against North Leeds after dismissing the visitors for just 75. After Nicky Bulcock’s four-wicket haul restricted Ilkley to just 151 all out, Burley-in- Wharfedale eased to victory at 153-5. Elsewhere, in Division One, Bilton enjoyed a narrow 12-run victory over Follifoot while Saltaire amassed 252 all out and claimed an 88-run victory over Horsforth.