The match of the day in Dales Council League Division A saw league leaders Halifax Direct extend their advantage at the top after a real thriller at reigning champions Pudsey Congs.

Batting first, fourth-placed Congs made a promising 178, with Shahid Bhatti hitting 80 and Naz Khan returning 6-37 for the visitors.

In reply, Farhan Ali proved the difference, hitting an unbeaten 90 to guide leaders Halifax to a narrow (180-8) two-wicket win, which saw them move ten points clear at the summit.

Shipley Providence (187-9) climbed to second in the table after a 69-run win at Savile Stars, who were dismissed for 118 in reply.

The match-up between local rivals Leeds Sikh and New Wortley at Roundhay Park turned out to be a low-scoring affair, with the usually free-scoring Wortley dismissed for just 84.

However, this meagre total proved nine runs too many for Sikh, whose batsmen, not for the first time, failed to hit their straps and were dismissed for just 75 in reply.

Tong Park Esholt (181, Saqib Mir 45, Tawquir Ahmed 4-29) recorded a 66-run win at neighbours Baildon, who were all out for 115 (Daniel Metcalfe 44, Andy Barker 4-16, Neil Smith 4-35).

Pudsey St Lawrence (193-7, Ben Hartley 58) recorded a 29-run success at home to winless Adel, who were dismissed for 164 (Paul Robson 72, Johnny Beck 4-41) in reply.

Farnley Hill (250-6, Gethin Clark 67no, Chris Harris 61, Richard Perry 43) notched their first win of the season at bottom club Cookridge, who responded with 206-8 (Neil Bonnington 55, Micheal Watson 4-37) in what was a highly entertaining game.

The big game in Division B saw second-placed Bradford Moor completely overwhelm leaders Farsley.

The home side clattered 293-6, with Asif Mahmood leading the way with an unbeaten 85 and Abdul Raqeeb (71) and Adil Wahid (53) joining in the run bonanza.

In reply, Farsley were bowled out for just 98, leaving them 15 points behind Moor at the head of the table.

The top individual batting performance in this section came at Drighlington-Whitehall, where Undercliffe batsman Jamil Ahmed hit 128 out of his team’s 255-6. Asad Raja Khan also hit an unbeaten 52 to complement his 4-10 with the ball, which helped dismiss home side Drig for 122.