Wardlaw inspires Cleck to derby win

The win saw Cleckheaton replace Priestley Cup finalists Bierley in second place but they are 45 points adrift of leaders Woodlands.

Yorkshire paceman Wardlaw was simply too good for the East Bierley batsmen and the tone for the day was set when he trapped Andrew Rennison lbw from the second ball of the game.

Captain Lee Goddard and Richard Atkins were dismissed from successive balls and when Wardlaw removed former Scotland international Gavin Hamilton, the hosts were 21-4.

Bierley never recovered and were eventually all out for just 80 in 26.5 overs.

Cleckheaton then required just 9.5 overs to knock off the runs with opener Mally Nicholson finishing 47 not out.

Woodlands were made to battle all the way before edging to a two-wicket win at Manningham Mills as they took another step towards retaining the title.

Sarfraz Ahmed (5-34) and Pieter Swanepoel (4-42) helped dismiss Mills for 131, despite the efforts of Gulsheraz Ahmed (35) and Aeezaz Dar (34no).

Opener Scott Richardson (38) was the only Woodlands top order batsman to settle in reply as Noman Ali (4-31) and Iqbal Khan (3-38) reduced them to 64-6.

Ahmed came to the crease and settled Woodlands down, making a patient 38 not out from 64 balls to see his side home.

Hanging Heaton are looking anxiously over their shoulders after they slipped to a 78-run defeat at Bradford and Bingley, while the bottom three sides at the start of play, Pudsey Congs, Farsley and Undercliffe, all recorded much needed victories.

Although new Heaton captain Mark Lawson claimed 5-56, he was unable to prevent Bingley reaching 231 all out, thanks largely to Chris Thompson’s 88 and 57 from captain Phil Slater.

Heaton were reduced to 30-6 in reply as Matthew Simpson (6-58) tore into the top order before Nick Bresnan made an unbeaten 86, including two sixes and 15 fours, as they were finally bowled out for 153.

Heaton are 21 points above the relegation zone going into the final five matches of the season and they face a crunch clash at home to Pudsey Congs on Saturday.

Spen Victoria recorded a terrific seven-wicket win over Division Two promotion chasers Yeadon.

Left-arm spinner Ben Platt claimed 3-43 to help restrict Yeadon to 148-7, despite the efforts of Ben Elvidge (43) and Tariq Mehbood (35no).

Spen eased to victory in 33.3 overs with Peter Jackson (39), Tosh Baker (35no) and Nicky Rushworth (33) leading the way.

The win saw Spen, who lie sixth in the table, close the gap on second-placed Yeadon to 37 points but they also have a game in hand.

Gomersal have not yet given up the hope of making a late promotion surge after they earned a 71-run win over Keighley.

Gomersal were bowled out for 136, with spinner Simon Bailey claiming 6-12 but Greg Pickles made a battling 46 and it proved a valuable contribution as Keighley were then dismissed for just 65 in reply with Chris Rhodes taking 4-30.

Hartshead Moor suffered a 46-run defeat to Bankfoot when they were dismissed for just 118 in reply to the home side’s 164-8.

Defeat saw Moor slip to eighth.