Bradford League: Chippendale carving out the wickets for Hanging Heaton

Ahead of a big weekend which sees the third-placed Tewits visit Cleckheaton in the Bradford Premier League tomorrow and go to New Farnley in the semi-finals of the Priestley Cup the next day, they will be heartened by the form of Tom Chippendale.

The paceman went close to John Carruthers’ club record of 9-26 after taking a fine 8-17 in Saturday’s routing of Lightcliffe for just 32 – with his haul including a golden run of six wickets in eight balls.

Heaton captain Gary Fellows said: “It was just one of those days where you felt that Tom would take a wicket with every ball. We could not really believe it, stood behind it watching.

“If Tom was honest, he would probably say that he has not had the first half of the season that he would have liked. Not just himself, but the whole group of them with the ball. They haven’t been as consistent as they would have liked.

“But obviously, he took wickets at Bradford and Bingley and demolished Lightcliffe. He showed last year that if it is his day, he can be very hard to play.

“It was a great performance by the team, but great for him to return those sort of figures.”

Leaders Farnley head to Lightcliffe tomorrow, while second-placed Pudsey St Lawrence host B&B.

Game of the day sees fourth-placed Farsley entertain Woodlands, in fifth, and with both sides registering big totals last week, it could well turn out to be another run-fest in sunny conditions at Red Lane.

Woodlands cricket secretary Brian Pearson remarked: “Farsley are going well and look a nice side. They have (James) Wainman back and he has been promoted to the top of the order.

“(James) Logan is also going well and they are all chipping in. (Ryan) Cooper has also scored a hundred and they could be there or thereabouts.

It will be a good wicket on Saturday, so it will be a matter of containment at the beginning.”

Elsewhere tomorrow, Scholes host Methley and Townville welcome East Bierley.

The Priestley Cup takes centre stage on Sunday and Farsley have home advantage against Lightcliffe.

Woodlands visit Gomersal and Townville host Wrenthorpe.