Even a week before the halfway point of the season, the spectre of relegation is enough to concentrate the minds of teams at the bottom of the JCT600 Bradford League.

Basement club HANGING HEATON, considered by some as too good to go down, backed up that belief by notching a shock victory over second-placed EAST BIERLEY at Bennett Lane.

The hosts, who were 46 for three, recovered to 193 for eight thanks to 53 by James Stansfield, who added 61 for the fifth wicket with Mark Inwood.

Left-arm spinner Luke Jarvis was again Bierley's best bowler with five for 52 but they could only muster 184 for nine in reply, skipper Gavin Hamilton hitting 45, Nick Summerscales taking four for 40.

The Batley side are still bottom but only by six points, while BOWLING OLD LANE lifted themselves out of a demotion place with a 68-run home win over FARSLEY.

Naeem Ashraf (61) and Shoaib Khan (57) put on 97 for Old Lane's third wicket in their 220 for nine, and Amjid Khan then took six for 34 as the visitors replied with 152, Ashley Metcalfe making 41. Despite their victory, however, Old Lane are only level with BRADFORD & BINGLEY.

IDLE are now in a relegation place after losing by 44 runs at MANNINGHAM MILLS.

Amjid Hussain (41) helped Mills to a fine start in an opening stand of 59 but they were dismissed for 160, Andy Marshall (5-42) and Paul Cummins (5-58) sharing the wickets.

Ahsan Butt (5-30) and Mahboob Hussain (3-28) then helped shoot Idle out for 116.

Just two points above them are out-of-sorts Bingley, who could only make 91 at home to PUDSEY CONGS, Matthew Doidge taking five for 25 and Elliott Wilson four for 21 as the visitors won by six wickets.

Mushtaq Ahmed (5-10 off 11 overs) and Jeremy Batty (4-22 and 40 not out) were the stars as BAILDON beat CLECKHEATON by 50 runs, while Mark Gilliver's 61 spurred BRIGHOUSE to a 95-run triumph at home to SALTAIRE.