Bradford League: Lightcliffe left looking over shoulders after setback against Pudsey Congs

PUDSEY CONGS beat off the elements to secure a comprehensive eight-wicket win over Lightcliffe '“ to take a major stride towards clinching top-flight safety with three games to go.
FAMILIAR FACE: Pudsey Congs' off-spinner Josh Wheatley took 4-24 against former club Lightcliffe.FAMILIAR FACE: Pudsey Congs' off-spinner Josh Wheatley took 4-24 against former club Lightcliffe.
FAMILIAR FACE: Pudsey Congs' off-spinner Josh Wheatley took 4-24 against former club Lightcliffe.

It was a good day for Congs off-spinner Josh Wheatley, playing against his former club, as he took 4-24 as Lightcliffe were skittled for just 108 in 45.1 tough overs.

Replying, Congs had plenty of top-order ballast with Nick Lindley hitting an unbeaten 51, although he largely played second fiddle in a third-wicket stand worth 51 with Callum Geldart, who hit a belligerent 43 not out to see the Pudsey side home.

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Meanwhile, there was frustration for Scholes and Morley after their basement battle was cut short by the weather, with a draw doing the cause of neither much good in their survival quest.

Scholes, seeking a third seasonal win over Morley, opened with a strong 245-5, with opener Kasir Maroof being good value for his second league ton of the campaign.

Maroof hit an excellent 101, with his knock featuring four sixes and 11 fours, the top-order man sharing in a bounty of a second-wicket stand worth 154 with Irfan Ahmed (74), which set the platform for Rizwan Ahmed’s brisk half-century, containing eight fours.

In reply, Morley were marooned at 131-3, after just 27 overs, with openers James McNichol (74no) and Henry Rush (44) having put on 100.

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The upshot is that Scholes trail second-from-bottom Morley by 20 points, with the men from Scatcherd Lane being a further 10 points behind third-from-bottom East Bierley.

Lightcliffe still remain in the relegation picture.

Elsewhere, Bradford and Bingley were stuck at 51-4 in reply after Woodlands were dismissed cheaply for just 111 at Albert Terrace.

The hosts’ modest total would have been considerably worse, had it not been for the swashbuckling prowess of the big-hitting Sarfraz Ahmed, with the overseas man coming to end of his epic stint of service with the club.

Ahmed top-scored with 41 with the rest of the card toiling against Yasir Ali, who took a fine 4-9 with back-up provided by Noman Ali (3-30) and Scott Etherington (3-43).

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