YOUNG Pakistani Naeem Khan produced a stunning all-round performance that put last season's Priestley Cup finalists Pudsey Congs out of the competition.

Khan's Second Division Yeadon went into the game as underdogs and without their in form batsman Neil Elvidge, who damaged his thumb whilst fielding in Saturday's league game.

Yeadon are however the in form side with five wins from the five league games they have played and their confidence shone through as they restricted the First Division side to 164-7 with Khan taking 3-18 in his ten over spell.

Yeadon then gained victory with 13 balls of the match remaining thanks to a superb unbeaten 77 from Khan who is in his second season as Yeadon's overseas player.

He shared an unbroken sixth wicket stand of 62 with Craig Thornton, who batted well,which gave Yeadon a five wickets win.

Jon Carey, promoted to open in Elvidge's absence, batted well but was unfortunately run out.

Yeadon are the only Second Division side to reach the third round with the other second round winners being East Bierley, Baildon, Bradford and Bingley, Cleckheaton, Yorkshire Bank, Bankfoot and Windhill.

They must now wait for the league meetting a week today, Thursday, to see who they pull out of the hat for the next round.

That draw is awaited with eager anticipation at Yeadon.

In Saturday's league programme Yeadon extended their winning run despite the injury to Elvidge.

Yeadon Secretary John Hudson said: 'Neil was fielding in the slips and he fell over with his thumb bent underneath him.

His hand became very swollen and we were trying to avoid him having to bat but when things got a bit sticky he came in.'

Hartshead Moor found their former player John Roper in miserly form as he took 2-25 off 13 overs but it was Naeem Khan who did the real damage with a return of 6-23 off 16 overs as Hartshead were bowled out for 126.

Yeadon soon lost Simon Gormley for four but brother Damon, the Yeadon skipper, with 20 and Jon Carey with 16 steadied things. Khan made a useful 25 and Andrew Pickering 17 before Craig Thornton provided the victory surge with an unbeaten 28.

He was joined by Elvidge batting down the order at number eight after his injury and victory was gained with eight overs to spare and three wickets in hand.

This win took Yeadon seven points clear of second placed Saltaire at the top of Division Two.

Yeadon are just two wins away from equalling the total number of victories they had last season and their promotion hopes look good if this sort of form can be maintained.

League newcomers Esholt are also pressing hard for promotion in third place with three wins out of their six games.

Yeadon and Esholt meet at Esholt on Monday for the first time in Bradford League cricket.

It will be an interesting occasion for Harry Dean - a former Esholt CC player whose father Ben was for many years secretary of Yeadon where Harry now spends many hours helping out on the ground.

Harry played in the same Yeadon junior side as Brian Close, who went on to gain fame with Yorkshire and England.

On Saturday Esholt rubbed off a Morley score of 255-6 with seven wickets to spare thanks to the efforts of South African Pierre De Bruyn.

He hammered a superb 113 which contained 5 sixes and 13 fours.

Opening bowler Hamish Gordon withdrew from the

attack injured after bowling just 16 balls. Former Bradford and Bingley veteran spinner David Batty took 3-75 off 20.2 overs.

Opener Jeff Wilkinson made an unbeaten 96 as the mainstay of the innings with the fireworks being provided by De Bruyn.

Yeadon Seconds went down by six wickets to Hartshead Moor after making 115-9.Esholt Seconds overwhelmed Morley posting a target of 133-4 and then dismissing them for a mere 54 as A Perring took 5-32.

l Pictured right is Yeadon's in form all-rounder Naeem Khan.

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