Cleck’s Jackson closes in on 1,000 league runs landmark

Cleckheatons Tim Jackson pulls the ball for four on his way to 77 against East Bierley last Saturday. He leads the race to 1,000 Bradford League runs. Pictures: Paul Butterfield.

The left-handed opener took his tally for the campaign to 831 as he made 77 in Cleckheaton’s eight-wicket victory over East Bierley last Saturday.

Victory saw Cleckheaton gain revenge for defeat against their local rivals earlier in the season and they are 18 points behind leaders Pudsey St Lawrence with four games remaining.

Cleckheaton’s young paceman Curtis Free (4-26) and leg-spinner Tanzeel Altaf (3-46) combined to help dismiss Bierley for 141, despite the efforts of Mark Gill (59no) and Nicky Rushworth (38).

Jackson and Ian Nicholson (40no) steered Cleckheaton to a convincing victory which leaves Bierley just five points above the relegation zone.

Woodlands racked up a maximum 20 points haul at second-bottom Farsley to close the gap on leaders St Lawrence to 10 points.

Logan Weston struck a stylish 120, including 12 fours and four sixes, as Woodlands posted 296-7.

Weston shared a fourth-wicket stand of 108 with Grant Soames (60), while captain Pieter Swanepoel made an unbeaten 44 on his return. Jack Hendy was the pick of the Farsley bowlers with 4-78.

Jack Holland (65) and Greg Pickles (57) ensured Farsley gained maximum batting points as they were dismissed for 227 with Soames (5-58) and Chris Brice (4-89) impressing.

Hanging Heaton moved level on points with Cleckheaton and are hoping the top two slip up if they are to mount a late title challenge.

Gary Fellows made 44 at the top of the innings, while James Keen, promoted from the second team, struck 42 to ensure Heaton closed on 225-9 and scraped to maximum batting points.

Noman Ali (4-52) and Scott Etherington (4-66) were Bingley’s best bowlers.

Chris Thompson (36) and Matt Simpson (31) gave Heaton a scare, but the visitors held their nerve to claim a nine-run victory as spinner Ben Elvidge claimed an important 5-72.

Pudsey St Lawrence are in the box seat to claim a first Bradford League title in 24 years as they hold a 10-point advantage over second placed Woodlands.

Lawrence brushed aside Pudsey rivals Congs by seven wickets last Saturday but they still have to visit Cleckheaton on the final day of an enthralling season.