Spen Victoria openers Grant Lambert and Steve Bethel have smashed the Bradford League all-time record for the highest partnership.

Their unbroken stand of 281 in Sunday's 228-run Division Two win over Manningham Mills bettered by four the previous best which was set only two years ago by Bethel's brother Andy (106no) and Wasim Jaffer (180) against Baildon.

Lambert struck a brilliant 141 while Steve Bethel was undefeated on 129.

Their record-breaking partnership followed another impressive performance 24 hours earlier.

They put together an unbroken 169 on that occasion in a ten-wicket win over Bowling Old Lane with Lambert making 97 not out and Bethel 71 not out.

Over the weekend they put on a total of 450 runs without being parted and ensured their side a rich harvest of 12 points as they bid to make a rapid return to Division One after being relegated last season.

For the record, Lambert's individual tally of runs from the weekend was 238 while Bethel finished with 200.

Manningham Mills simply had no answer to Lambert and Bethel's onslaught and were so shell-shocked that they were dismissed for just 53 with Mike Townend taking five for 28.

Saltaire's batting crumbled for the second time in successive days when they were dismissed for just 45 as they went down by 108 runs against Esholt.

Ben Lister was the match-winner for Esholt as he took five for 20. He was well supported by Michael Oldfield (4-24).

Undercliffe skipper Mark Gilliver (106) was in top form against Bowling Old Lane but his side could not force victory in a close-fought match.

Old Lane batted well in reply to Undercliffe's score of 202 for four and were 193 for nine when their 50 overs expired. Undercliffe received four points for the winning draw.

Newcomers Gomersal were another side to pick up four points. They had the better of a drawn game with Great Horton.

Stephen Harrison (93) and Australian Alan Abbey (81) guided them to a total of 212 for six which Great Horton never seriously slooked like challenging as David Bradbrook took five for 16 to leave them tottering at 157 for eight at the close.

Idle's opener Graham Dobson was another centurion. He made 105 not out as his side gained a winning draw against Bankfoot.

Dobson shared a first wicket stand of 146 with Simon Curry (58) as Idle made 219 for four.

Bankfoot, whose batting has failed to find any consistency this season, struggled to 112 for eight in reply as the ever dependable Ian Dewhirst took five for 50.

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