Woodlands close to within point of leaders

Gomersals Adam Greenwood cuts the ball away on his way to 69 against Hartshead Moor last Saturday.

When much of the programme was decimated by heavy late afternoon rain, Woodlands clinched victory over Undercliffe.

Batting first on a green pitch, Woodlands made 172-7 as Logan Weston top scored with 65, while Grant Soames made 43 not out.

Undercliffe were then reduced to 28-9 before heavy rain forced the players from the field.

Woodlands looked like being denied but play resumed and they claimed the last wicket to seal a vital win with Chris Brice (3-7), Pieter Swanepoel (3-12) and Sarfraz Ahmed (3-15) doing the damage.

Pudsey St Lawrence were reduced to 122-6 in reply to Bradford & Bingley’s 164-8 when rain halted what was turning into an exciting finish.

Cleckheaton could still mathematically win a third straight title as they trail St Lawrence by 15 points with the sides set to meet on the final day of the season.

Cleckheaton’s match against Hanging Heaton ended in a rain affected draw and three of the last four matches between the sides have now been abandoned.

Andy Gorrod (40) and captain John Wood (38) made useful runs for the home side before David Stiff (4-51) and Ben Elvidge (3-46 ) fought back for Heaton.

Mally Nicholson’s excellent knock of 97, including five sixes and eight fours, helped boost Cleckheaton’s total to 235-9.

Hanging Heaton were going well at 125-1 in reply when play came to an end 29.2 overs into their innings.

Ian Philliskirk was 45 not out and Nick Connolly (43no) .

East Bierley suffered a 69-run defeat at Lightcliffe after they were bowled out for 58.

Suleman Khan (4-23) and former East Bierley captain Rob Burton (3-12) did the damage, replying to Lightcliffe’s 127, which owed much to a determined knock of 48 from Jonathan Wilson as left-arm spinner Luke Jarvis returned impressive figures of 6-44

Burton reached 5,000 Bradford League runs while making 18. He has also taken more than 500 Bradford League wickets in his career.

Bierley are 18 points clear of the relegation zone and will look to preserve their top flight status at home to Bradford & Bingley this Saturday.

Bottom team Saltaire kept alive their hopes of avoiding relegation by beating second-bottom Farsley for the second time this season.

Farsley, despite a battling 31 from captain Mark Harrison, were bowled out for 126 in reply to Saltaire’s 161-8.

Saltaire still have an uphill task to beat the drop as they are 25 points from third-bottom Undercliffe, with Farsley 17 points adrift of safety with two matches remaining.