Scholes win derby to boost survival hopes

Scholes completed a derby double over neighbours Cleckheaton to boost their survival hopes in the Allrounder Bradford League Premier Division.
Cleckheaton wicketkeeper Mally Nicholson celebrates claiming the wicket of Scholes captain James StansfieldCleckheaton wicketkeeper Mally Nicholson celebrates claiming the wicket of Scholes captain James Stansfield
Cleckheaton wicketkeeper Mally Nicholson celebrates claiming the wicket of Scholes captain James Stansfield

Scholes recorded a five-wicket triumph to secure a fourth win of the season and they know victory over second-bottom Morley on Saturday would give them real hope of producing a great escape.

Yassir Ali set up the win by taking 6-61 as Cleckheaton were restricted to 180-9.

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Only Ian Nicholson with an unbeaten 71 and Chris Holliday (38) made an impression for Cleckheaton.

Scholes, encouraged by their performance with the ball, eased to victory with overseas player Rizwan Ahmed (71no) and Ali (35no) leading the way,

Woodlands breathed a huge sigh of relief after scraping a one-wicket win over Morley, who missed a golden chance to lift themselves out of the bottom two in a low-scoring game.

Morley looked set for defeat when they were bowled out for 98 by Woodlands spinners Chris Brice (6-28) and Kez Ahmed (3-31), but they fought back superbly and reduced Woodlands to 59-9 in reply.

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Opening bowlers Matthew Dowse (6-38) and Nathan Bromby (3-36) looked to have given their side a vital lifeline until the last-wicket pair of Elliot Richardson (28no) and Kez Ahmed (13no) steered Woodlands to a one-wicket triumph.

Lightcliffe halted their slide with an eight-wicket win over a New Farnley side whose title hopes have faded since their Heavy Woollen Cup win three weeks ago.

Opening bowler Jonathan Whiteoak produced an impressive spell of 7-62 as New Farnley were dismissed for 130.

Opener James Middlebrook (40) provided the only score of note.

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Lightcliffe made sure they capitalised on Whiteoak’s good work with captain Alex Stead (57no) steering them to their target with help from Ian Philliskirk (37) and Suleman Khan (30no).

Victory saw Lightcliffe move 20 points clear of second-bottom Morley.