HORSFORTH'S Matthew Doidge led his Pudsey Congs side to their first ever Bradford League title win when they remained ahead of challengers Braddord and Bingley on the last day of the season.

The sides met in a final day challenge with Congs two points ahead of Bingley but when the game was abandoned due to bad light and both sides picked up a point the title was Congs.

They were well ahead when the game ended with five overs remaining . Congs had made 168-7 with Doidge himself leading the way with a superb 47 before being caught behind by his opposing skipper Patrick Fordham off the bowling of Richard McCarthy.

The Australian pace ace finished with 4-65 while Peter Graham took 3-54.

Bingley were never really in the hunt losing wickets at regular intervals as their batsmen failed to establish themselves and were struggling at 93-8 when the game ended.

Doidge said: " I am fortunate to have such a good team. Everyone has worked very hard for this title. I have been playing in the Bradford League since 1986 and this is the trophy I have always wanted to win.

"I have played once for Yorkshire, enjoyed triumphs with the Yorkshire Cricket Association and won the Priestley Cup with Farsley but this is the biggest moment of my career."

Yeadon whose First Division future was safe before entering the final day match with Brighouse took one point from a drawn game.

Brighouse batted first and made 210-5 with Darren Murray adding three wickets to his season's tally taking 3-42.

Yeadon by and large struggled in reply against an attack lacking the pacey Alfridi.

Only Neil Elvidge with 44, Naeem Khan with 60 and Darren Murray with 24 produced innings of note as Yeadon were restricted to 184-9 in reply.

Former Benton Park School pupil Chris Taylor hit an unbeaten 75 for Farsley in their eight wickets win over Lidget.

Taylor has now been signed on a staff contract by Yorkshire CCC.

Bolton Abbey

promoted

BOLTON Abbey have gained promotion from Division Four of the Nidderdale League after finishing as champions with a seven point margin over Raskelf prior to going into the last games of the season on Saturday.

Last Saturday's games were postponed due to the fuel crisis and will now take place on Saturda September 23.

In Division Two Blubberhouses are in third place seven points behind leaders Bishop Thornton and second placed Scotton.

In Division Seven Arthington are fourth with Blubberhouses A fifth and Bolton Abbey A eighth.