Bradford League round-up: Townville miss out in last over thriller with champions

The defending champions chased down a DLS target of 213 from 38 overs to secure a five-wicket win with two balls to spare.

It was a fourth straight defeat for Townville, but they are playing some good cricket and could consider themselves unlucky to lose to Woodlands for the second time this season in the last over.

There was little wrong with their batting as Harry Warwick (81), Jonny Booth (56) and Tom Brook (48) helped them to a 233-9 score off 45 overs against a strong attack led by Muhammad Bilal (4-50).

Brook then two wickets, as did Harry Clewett, but Woodlands stayed in touch with their revised required rate and squeezed home.

Methley were surprised by struggling Cleckheaton who lifted themselves off the bottom of the Premier Division table with a nine-wicket success.

They were set a DLS target of 148 from 31 overs after rain caused 19 overs to be lost and chased it down thanks to an unbeaten second wicket stand of 119 between Toby Booth (69no) and Yousaf Baber (53no).

Defeat was tough on Methley batsman Jordan Laban who hit a superb century in their 236 total. Smashing seven sixes and 14 fours, he top scored with 120 and shared an 118-run sixth-wicket stand with skipper Tom Chippendale (43).

Skipper Nick Connolly hit his fifth league century of the season and took his tally of runs to 846 as he helped Ossett to secure a 125-run win over Batley to move to third place in the Premier Division.

The opener hit 15 fours and three sixes in an unbeaten 120 and was well supported by Matthew Race (56) and Mubtada Akhtar (35) as Ossett made 284-6 from their full 50 overs.

Rain resulted in Batley being set a DLS target of 266 from 42 overs and they got nowhere near it, all out for 140 as Oliver Kilburn took 4-55.

Dominican all-rounder Kershaski John Lewis played a key role with bat and ball as second-placed Carlton maintained their challenge in Division One of the Gordon Rigg Bradford League with a four-wicket win over Baildon.

John Lewis took 4-43 and was backed up by Farrukh Alam (3-21) as Baildon were dismissed for 201.

Rain resulted in Carlton having to chase a DLS target of 177 from 35 overs and they achieved it thanks to John Lewis, who scored an unbeaten 119, including four sixes and 17 fours.

South African James Van Der Merwe led East Ardsley home for an eight-wicket win at Undercliffe.

The opener hit 10 fours and a six in an unbeaten 71 as Ardsley reached their DLS target of 113 from 31 overs with 16 balls to spare.

Undercliffe were bowled out for 184 with Louie Hurley taking 4-62.

Another tough day for Wrenthorpe saw them lose by 242 runs to Gomersal who posted a massive 398-7.

Usman Shakir did take 5-83, but when set a DLS target of 374 from 46 overs, Wrenthorpe were bowled out for 131. Mustafa Bhatti made an unbeaten 50 only to lack support.

Methley through to play Cleckheaton in semi-finals of Priestley Cup

Sandal lost top spot in Division Two after suffering a nine-wicket loss to Hunslet Nelson.

Despite 72, including four sixes and nine fours, from Ashley Mackereth and 48 by Danny Riley they were bowled out for 243 then their bowlers were made to toil.

Great Preston lost out by 30 runs to new Division Two leaders Yeadon in another game affected by rain.

Yeadon posted a 310-4 score, based round a 237-run stand between openers Pasindu Thirimadura (140) and Gareth Lee (114). Rain reduced the target for Preston to 211 from 31 overs and although Oli Baron (67) and James Conlon (40) fought hard, they finished on 180-6.

Wakefield St Michael’s sank to bottom spot as they lost by eight wickets at Crossflatts after being shot out for only 84. Joe Finnigan (20) top scored.

Saif Tahir’s 67 proved in vain as Altofts made 202 before Scholes chased down a revised 172 from 34 overs to win a Division Three game by four wickets.