Jer Lane produced the biggest surprise of the season as they defeated Bradford Premier League Premier Division leaders Woodlands by two runs in a thriller at Park Avenue.
But as the Premier Division newcomers celebrated ending the champions’ unbeaten start to the season, there was concern over the extent of the knee injury Chris Brice suffered trying to win the game for Woodlands.
Brice had added 27 for the ninth wicket with wicketkeeper Greg Finn when he attempted a big hit from the final ball over the 49th over, with Woodlands needing four to overhaul the home side’s score of 235-6.
But he twisted mid shot, he damaged his knee and had to be helped off.
Finn, who was unable to score from the first ball of Shahzada Khan’s final over, then took a single which brought last man Joel Beaumont on strike, who was trapped lbw.
Finn was left stranded on 52 not out as Woodlands were all out for 233, at the end of a match where fortunes fluctuated throughout.
The stand-out performers for Jer Lane were Kyme Tahirkheli and overseas player Israr Ullah.
Tahirkheli continued his good recent form by hitting seven sixes while making top score of 94.
Adal Islam (40) and Cosmond Walters (33) also made useful contributions as Brad Schmulian (3-50) proved to be the most successful visiting bowler.
Schmulian (56), Finn (52no) and Kieran Collins (33) led the way for Woodlands, but Jer Lane stuck to their task, with the key to their success being Ullah’s return of 3-26 from 15 economical overs.
Woodlands’ lead at the summit has been cut to 10 points following New Farnley’s emphatic 154-run win at Pudsey Congs.
Townville are a further five points back after overcoming a few anxious moments to win at Bankfoot by two wickets.
James Lee (4-46) and Osama Ahmad (3-32) reduced Townville to 59-6, but big-hitting Conor Harvey struck a breezy 67 to edge his side past the home side’s modest total of 131.
Townville spinners Harry Clewett (4-39) and Jack Hughes (3-25) were the key bowlers as Bankfoot struggled batting first. Majid Khan (31) proved to be the top scorer for the Bradford side.
Ossett beat Pudsey St Lawrence by 36 runs in a high-scoring encounter, while Methley defeated Hanging Heaton.
Despite losing by 29 runs, Hanging Heaton did at least claim maximum batting points, moving them above Bankfoot and dropping the Bradfordians to the foot of the table in the process.
Former basement dwellers Bradford & Bingley are on the up, picking up their second league win of the season as they overcame inconsistent Farsley by three wickets at Red Lane.
Yorkshire’s Harry Duke (56) and Dan Revis (34) were top scorers in the home side’s disappointing 162 all out, Bradley Reeve (4-41) and Jack Luxton (3-51) posing most of the problems.
After Australian Corey Miller had made 51, the Bradford & Bingley innings declined, and they needed an unbroken eighth wicket stand of 50 between Lewis Brown (31no) and Jack Hartley (20no) to see them home.
It is all change at both ends of the Division One table, after hosts Sandal pulled off a stunning six-wicket win over East Bierley – their first of the season.
Young Tom Burton struck 90 as East Bierley posted an imposing total of 287-8, but Sandal showed no fear in their chase, romping to victory with more than 15 overs to spare.
The result saw East Bierley drop from first to fifth after just one week at the summit, while Sandal have now climbed off the bottom at the expense of East Ardsley.
Cleckheaton are the new leaders after overseas player Yousaf Baber produced another sensational innings to guide them to a seven-wicket win at Morley.
He made 151 as he tore into the home bowling to strike five sixes and 21 fours.
Skipper Richard Pyrah (69no) shared a third wicket stand of 218 with Baber, which helped their side ease past Morley’s 252-8.
Spinner Lachlan Doidge returned figures of 4-82 for Cleckheaton, as the home side’s seemingly strong total proved insufficient.
Cleckheaton have 104 points and are just four ahead of Undercliffe, who defeated Birstall by eight wickets and crucially have a game in hand on the leaders.
Ben Morley was their match winner with a superb innings of 155 not out as Birstall’s score of 251 was chased down.
Good bowling from seamers Abdullah Khan (4-61) and Zeeshan Qasim (3-55) provided the main threat when Undercliffe bowled first.
Batley, who also have a game in hand on Cleckheaton, are a further four points back in third place after an eight-wicket win over Baildon, the Bradford side skittled for just 65.
There was a thrilling finish at Carlton where the home side scrambled a one-wicket win over East Ardsley with two balls to spare.
The visitors are the only side in the division without a win to their name yet, but could not have come much closer to achieving one on Saturday.
Yeadon continued their winning run by defeating Gomersal by nine wickets to move into fourth place.
Division Two leaders Hopton Mills romped to a 162-run win over Wrenthorpe, while second-placed Hartshead Moor made 227-8 in their 67-run win over Lightcliffe.
Hazrat Abbas ensured that Bowling Old Lane bounced back from their defeat at Lightcliffe with a fine all-round performance as they defeated Liversedge by five wickets.
He took 6-48 as Liversedge, despite 43 from Imran Dawood, were bowled out for 123.
Abbas then backed that six-wicket haul up by making 38 to guide Old Lane to their modest target.
Heckmondwike & Carlinghow avenged their defeat in last season’s Gordon Rigg Jack Hampshire Cup final by Buttershaw St Paul’s with an 85-run success.
Despite only making 160, with extras at 24 representing the top contribution, Heckmondwike & Carlinghow hit back to bowl out St Paul’s for just 75.
That was tough luck on Buttershaw bowler Mussawar Shah, who had earlier taken 4-33.
Keighley continued their good form with a 66-run win over Hunslet Nelson.
Wasim Hussain (5-55) proved to be their match winner as Nelson were bowled out for 205 in reply to Keighley’s 271.
Mohammad Shahnawaz (47), Raees Hussain (46) and Johandre Barnard (31) had earlier led the way with the bat for Keighley.
Northowram Fields also sparkled with the bat, as they chased down a Crossflatts score of 240-8 to win by eight wickets.
Joe Hicks had led the way for Crossflatts with an impressive 93, but none of his team-mates managed to score more than 30.
Adwalton enhanced their promotion ambitions in Division Three by beating out-of-form Spen Victoria by 84 runs.
It was a tighter affair between Altofts and Crossbank Methodists, the former eventually squeezing their way to a two-wicket victory.
Great Preston piled up a total of 330-9 on their way to a 172-run win over East Leeds, while at the other end of the scale, Brighouse were bowled out for just 76 by Gildersome & Farnley Hill to lose by 196 runs.
Finally, Wakefield St Michael’s eased past Windhill & Daisy Hill’s total of 164 to register a seven-wicket win. Sajjad Ijaz (32) top scored for the well-beaten Bradford side.
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