Allerton are now big favourites for the Bradford Central League Division One title after Apperley Bridge were surprisingly beaten by lowly Thornbury in a nail-biting finish.

Having set Thornbury a target of 196, everything was going according to form at 117-9 but the last pair somehow managed to steal the win for the hosts.

This leaves Allerton 12 points clear at the top after their routine win over Salem.

Asif Sheikh produced the bowling performance of the season with 8-35 as Salem only managed 117 before Allerton romped home by six wickets.

Girlington missed a chance to narrow the gap between themselves and the leaders after their five-wicket defeat against Norwood Green.

Habib ur Rehman top-scored with 50 but received little support as Girlington were bowled out for 132. Green had little trouble in reaching their target in reply.

Greenfield are still looking for their first win of the season after going down to Great Horton Church by five wickets. Despite some good bowling, their score of 123 all out was never going to be enough.

Only two DIVISION TWO games were played. Salem, for the second weekend running, enjoyed a victory over Allerton after bowling out the home side for just 99.

Yasser Khan took 4-26 but Salem didn’t have things all their own way as M Tariq (5-40) made life difficult for the batsmen, but they got home with four wickets in hand.

Girlington managed a well-needed victory over Norwood Green, who set them a target of 166, with Mohammed Rashid taking 4-43.

Rashid Ahmed saw Girlington home with a knock of 66 as they lost only three wickets in their chase.