Townville go top of Bradford League – but crash out in cup quarter-final
It was a mixed weekend for Townville as they went top of the Bradford Cricket League, but saw their hold on the Priestley Cup slip with defeat to New Farnley.
In the league it was all smiles as Townville took over as the new leaders of the Premier Division after an impressive seven-wicket win over Carlton.
They have 138 points and are one ahead of Woodlands with New Farnley two points back in third.
Four Townville batsmen compiled half centuries as they chased down what had looked a good Carlton score of 255-9 to win with two overs to spare.
Skipper Jonny Booth (52) and Sri Lankan Sanoj Darshika (59) set the tone by adding 118 for the second wicket. After both were dismissed in quick succession, Jack Hughes (62no) and Kieran Collins (59no) closed out victory with an unbroken fourth wicket partnership of 123.
Hughes had earlier been the pick of the bowlers with 3-60.
Townville’s defence of the Bentley Drains Priestley Cup, however, ended with a four-wicket loss to New Farnley on Sunday.
They looked to have built a sound foundation through openers Booth and Abdul Wahid, who both made 38. Sanoj Darshika (56) built on it and Usman Arshad hit 30, but the 226 total was not big enough.
Farnley looked in trouble as they slipped to 67-4 in their reply, but they recovered well and paced their innings successfully to reach their target with 5.3 overs to spare.
Back in the Bradford League’s Premier Methley skipper Jared Warner marked his return to the side with a terrific unbeaten 101 as he steered them to a five-wicket win over Farsley.
Warner hit three sixes and 10 fours and helped Methley recover from 20-2 in a third wicket stand worth 138 with opener Taylor Cornall (77), who cracked nine boundaries.
Nottinghamshire’s Joe Pocklington was back for Farsley and made 40, but they were kept to 233-9 with Finlay Rooke (3-29) and Cornall (3-56) doing most to restrict them.
Great Preston’s lead at the top of Division Two was cut to a single point after they suffered a six-run defeat at Altofts.
They were bowled out for 160 in reply to 166 despite looking favourites to win at 117-4 and 146-7. Oli Baron (38) top scored.
South African Willem Meintjes (6-67) had bowled well for Preston.
Streethouse were back to winning ways with a 59-run success against Keighley who were shot out for 89.
Ismail Patel (4-13) and Ben Brown (3-26) led the attack as they comfortably defended a 148-8 score which featured 73 from Dishane Rodrigo.