Bradford League: League's big hitters warm to the task during '˜flaming June'

Ajmal Shahzad runs in for New Farnley at Premier Division rivals Methley. PIC: Steve Riding

After a quiet start to the top-flight season, the Red Laners are hitting their straps on the batting front, with three accomplished performances helping them record three wins on the spin.

Their excellent weekend display against Lightcliffe proved the most dominant of the lot, with a milestone knock arriving from James Logan, who top-scored with 118 in Farsley’s awesome innings of 343-4.

The Yorkshire spinner shared in century stands with fellow Headingley player James Wainman (65) and captain Ryan Cooper (80), who followed his last weekend’s ton against Bradford and Bingley with another fine contribution.

Jordan Laban hits out for Methley against visitors New Farnley. PIC: Steve Riding

Replying, Lightcliffe were dismissed for 160, with Logan adding gloss to his exemplary day with figures of 5-35 for Farsley, nicely positioned in fourth spot, 21 points behind leaders New Farnley.

But it was the team’s batting feats that proved the talk of the day, with their efforts following earlier contributions in recent wins from the likes of Dan Hodgson, Pat Kruger and Mark Harrison.

Club stalwart Harrison said: “The lads are getting more confidence and the batting is starting to fire. I always had the belief with our bowling that it would come good as we can control games with the ball.

“But we have started making strides with our performance and correcting a few problems from the start of the season.

Andy Brewster and former Yorkshire player Andy Hutchinson, who was a late stand-in at Methley when one of the New Farnley players was injured in the warm-up. PIC: Steve Riding

“In early season, people need to get into form and spend time in the middle. It is key for batsmen to take the opportunity when it comes and being hungry to want to score the winning runs.

“Wainers looks in great nick and I am really pleased for Logie, who scored his first Bradford League hundred at the weekend and backed it up with a five-for.

“Ryan is coming off the back of a hundred and an 80 as skipper and Patrick also contributed with a quick-fire 30-odd at the weekend.

“If it all gels, we feel confident that we can beat most teams. It is about just putting it all together and performing.”

Farnley (191-5) continued their impressive league form despite being threatened by the rain in their encounter with Methley (241), triumphing by five wickets under the Duckworth-Lewis method.

Farnley chased down a revised target of 187, with ex-Yorkshire player Ajmal Shahzad (49no) showing his prowess with the bat.

Earlier, Marcus Walmsley (75) top-scored for Methley.

Second-placed Pudsey St Lawrence and champions Hanging Heaton, in third, both got back to winning ways against the struggling duo of Scholes and Bradford and Bingley.

Adam Waite (96) and Charlie Best (83) shared in a stand of 162 in St Lawrence’s 225-4 before the hosts were dismissed for 100, Tom Hudson taking 3-16 for Saints, a point behind Farnley, with Scholes all out for 100.

Heaton (104-0) whitewashed Bingley (136) in another game decided by DLS after the Tewits were set a target of 101.

Tom Chippendale (6-51) starred with the ball, with Gary Fellows unbeaten on 65.

Last-wicket pair Jonathan Whiteoak and Andrew Deegan saw Cleckheaton (191-9) home under DLS against Townville (197), John Wood earlier hitting 59 and Jonathan Booth (72) and Harry Clewett (64) in the runs for Townville.

Chris Brice took a fine 6-23 as Woodlands (202) beat basement club East Bierley (77), with Greg Finn and Liam Collins both hitting 50.