Bradford League: New boys Methley in last-ball triumph

The Red Laners reached a revised target of 148 in 33.3 overs to clinch a five-wicket DLS win over East Bierley (157-8), for whom Shabir Rashid hit an excellent unbeaten 87.

James Wainman (54) and new overseas signing Patrick Kruger (40) led the way in Farsley’s successful chase.

Openers Simon Lambert (53no) and Martin Andersson (42) helped Farnley reach a revised target of 133-3 in 34 overs after Cleckheaton’s 229-8, featuring well-crafted innings of 71 from ex-captain John Wood and opener Nick Lindley.

St Lawrence triumphed in express fashion in a nine-wicket drubbing of Lightcliffe, dismissed for 94.

Stars with the ball were Richie Lamb (5-28) and new captain Chris Marsden (4-18), and Adam Waite (39no) top-scored for Saints.

Champions Hanging Heaton saw off Woodlands by seven wickets in a DLS win.

Seam bowlers Tom Chippendale (5-35) and David Stiff (4-16) wreaked havoc as Woodlands were blown away for 96 and Tewits captain Gary Fellows led the way with 31 as they reached their revised target of 93 off 25 overs.

New boys Methley secured a thrilling last-ball win over Bradford and Bingley (226-8), despire Jonathan Whitehead’s century. Marcus Walmsley (58) top-scored for the victors.

Townville beat Scholes by 46 runs in a 25-overs-per-side game, with new captain Jack Hughes (3-14) and Harry Clewett (4-30) in the wickets. Haris Mohammad bagged 4-30 for Scholes.

An introduction to life in Championship One was a losing one for Pudsey Congs (130-9) as they lost by four wickets to Baildon.

Morley (171-7) opened with a 14-run win at Gomersal (157) in which spinner Dave Nebard (4-52) and newcomer Harish Krishnesh (3-38) impressed. Opener Micky Hutchins (61) excelled for Gomersal.

All-rounder Jonathan Rudge (69 and 4-31) helped Wrenthorpe beat Bankfoot by 32 runs, despite James Lee’s 59.

A fine performance from Danny Cross (63 and 4-41) under-pinned by captain Will Stiff (50)helped promoted Hunslet Nelson (233-9) beat relegated Batley (154-8) by 79 runs. Huzaifah Patel took 5-54 for Batley.

Captain Tim Jackson hit a super 117 as Solly Sports Heavy Woollen Cup holders Woodlands eased into the second round with a seven-wicket win over Kirkburton on Sunday.

Opener Jonathan Sleightholme smashed 110 as five-time winners Wrenthorpe hammered seven-man East Bierley by 248 runs, while David Stiff took a magic 5-8 as Rastrick were blitzed for 29 against 10-wicket winners Hanging Heaton.

Winners in 2016, New Farnley thrashed Buttershaw St Paul’s by 196 runs, while Adal Islam (3-35 and 66no) helped Methley beat Scholes.

James McNichol (89) and Richard Jubb (69) helped Morley (248-7) beat Barkisland (172) by 72 runs, captain Ollie Halliday taking 4-35.

Gomersal were dismissed for 98 en route to a six-wicket loss to Huddersfield League side Scholes.

AIRE-WHARFE LEAGUE

ONLY THREE games were played in Division One this weekend with the weather playing a big part, writes BILLY STEPHENSON.

Follifoot got back to winning ways as they beat Rawdon by seven wickets. Andrew Duckworth won the toss for Rawdon and chose to bat first, but they were all out for 129. Andrew Doidge top-scored for the visitors with 38 but the bowling attack from Follifoot was a struggle as Istikhar Hussain stole the show taking 3-22 from 12.4 overs.

Follifoot came into bat and got the total within 32.2 overs to get their first win of the season with Paul Angove (62) and Yasar Ali (58) top-scoring.

North Leeds also got their first win of the season in a comfortable 37-run win over Horsforth. The home side batted first and saw out the overs, losing just four wickets. George Wakes (81no) top-scored for North Leeds. Oliver Hardaker’s side then came out to bat but was skittled for 193. The skipper also top-scored on 53 but it was the bowling from Taran Chana who took 5-33 from 6.2 overs which ended the hopes of Horsforth getting back-to-back wins.

Last year’s runners-up Otley have made it two wins out of two in a 89-run win over Burley-in-Wharfdale. The visitors won the toss and put Otley in to bat. Ben Morley’s side put out a briliant batting performance getting 280-8 in 50 overs. Stephen Brown scoring 113 from 106 balls was the top tally in the game. Burley came out knowing it would be a tough chase and were on 72 when the first wicket fell but they were all out for 191 as Brown’s spell of 4-39 from 13 overs secured Otley’s second win of the season. James Davies also impressed with figures of 3-59 from 13.3 overs.

In Division Two, Ben Rhydding suffered their second defeat in two games after losing by three wickets against Kirkstall Educational. Sam Housam top scored for the home side on 98 but it was not enough as Kirkstall Educational got the target with three balls remaining.

Collingham & Linton thrashed Steeton by 139 runs, Addingham defeated Leeds Modernians by six wickets, Horsforth Hall Park beat Saltaire by 38 runs and top-of-the-league Tong Park Esholt beat Calverley St Wilfrids by 144 runs.

WETHERBY LEAGUE

ONLY TWo games were played in Division One on the opening day of the Wetherby cricket league, writes Billy Stephenson.

The shock of the ties came as Ledsham were bowled out for just 76 at the hands of South Milford. Joseph Taylor (4-14) stole the show for South Milford. The visitors reached the target with ease, losing only two wickets and Billy Thompson top-scoring on 50*.

Barwick-in-Elmet started the season with a win. Their opponents, Thorner Mexborough, batted first and were all-out for 161. Barwick had some good bowling performances as Mitchell Cullen took 5-40 and James Todd 3-40. The hosts saw off the target, losing just five wickets with Mitchell Cullen top-scoring on 45 and both Edward Hardy and Christopher Harrison not-out.

All games in Division Two and Division Three were called off. Division Four managed to get one game in as Crossgates A were skittled for 66 at the hands of Headingley Bramhope A.

Crossgates opener Sanjeev Virdi top scored for the away side with 33 and figures of 5-9 from Stephen Gilks helped Headingley to an opening-day win. Sicklinghall will host Garforth Paris Council this weekend, Kippax Welfare will face South Milford, Barwick in Elmet will take on Scholes, Chruch Fenton host Rufforth and Thorner Mexborough will play Ledsham – all, of course, in hope that the weather does not play a big part.