Undercliffe skipper Simon Kellett made a winning return to the Bradford League at home to Yeadon yesterday but believes his side need an extra seamer if they are to end their Division One exile.

After being unavailable for the first two matches, the former Yorkshire player made his first start since rejoining the Intake Lane side, whom he first played for as a teenager.

The 21-run win over opponents who had won their first two matches gave Kellett encouragement that Undercliffe can make it third-time lucky in their attempt to return to the top flight.

But he reiterated vice-captain Pete Oldham's assertion in the match-day programme that "the lack of a second-change quality seam bowler could cost the club dearly in the long term".

Kellett, back in the Bradford League after a successful spell with Dunnington in the York and District Senior League, said: "We desperately need a third seamer who can bowl nine or ten overs in the middle of an innings.

"I'm happy with the three spinners we have but we need a seamer and I have a few contacts in the game."

As if to illustrate the point, Yeadon were allowed to recover from 20 for three to 135 for three, chasing a target of 254 as Grant Soames and skipper David Leather put on 115.

Sam Brookes bowled Leather for 35 to regain the initiative for the hosts but, with Soames in fine form, they were never guaranteed victory until near the death.

After Saif Malik went cheaply, Steve Cobley (24) helped put on 39 for the sixth wicket but two wickets in one over from off-spinner Ben Heritage put the skids on the visitors.

Cobley holed out to former Durham batsman Darren Blenkiron going for the big one and then Jake Wray was caught behind by John Barton.

Kellett caught Tahir Mahmood off Heritage but, with Soames still at the crease, 38 off 30 balls was not out of the question.

But Heritage's fourth wicket spelt the end when tenth man Darren Drake was caught by Andrew Duckworth at backward point.

Soames had been happy to give his lower-order team-mates the strike but he refused singles in the final two overs, looking instead to clear the field.

But only two runs came off the last two overs, the former East Bierley all-rounder ending unbeaten on 94.

"Grant played superbly and didn't deserve to be on the losing side," said Kellett, who also had special praise for Heritage.

"He bowled well at the death with Arun Lal and has an old head on young shoulders."

After his side had been put in, Kellett felt Undercliffe had underachieved despite racking up maximum batting points.

He made 62 before Blenkiron (97 not out) and Duckworth (52 not out) put on an unbroken 130 for the third wicket, former Saltaire bowler Mahmood producing Yeadon's best figures with one for 30 off 15 overs.

Kellett said: "At 184 for two with ten overs left, we'd have liked a few more runs. Instead of 250 for two, maybe we should have been more like 290 for seven."

His counterpart Leather remained upbeat, despite his side's first defeat of the season.

"At 20 for three, chasing 250 is always difficult, especially when your overseas player (Amir Sajjad) has been dismissed," he said.

"But Grant was superb and we were still in it with ten overs to go but Undercliffe bowled very well and we were one batter short as James Todd was taking university exams."