Cleckheaton crash out of Priestley Cup

Andy Gorrod top scored with 73 for Cleckheaton but was unable to prevent defeat to Lightcliffe as they bowed out of the Priestley Cup quarter-finals.

Last season’s beaten finalists, Cleckheaton, produced some powerful batting to reach 235 all out in a match reduced to 37 overs per side.

Opener Andy Gorrod gave Cleck a brisk start with 73, Mally Nicholson upped the tempo with 51 before overseas player Tanzell Altaf blazed to 50 off 17 balls, including five sixes and three fours.

The pick of the Lightcliffe bowlers was Jonathan Whiteoak (5-70).

Captain Alex Stead (76) and Suleman Khan (59) led the successful Lightcliffe run chase before a late salvo from Rob Burton (19no) saw them over the line with just two balls to spare.

Stead hit a six and nine fours while Khan’s 38-ball knock included five sixes.

Holders Pudsey St Lawrence were also knocked out as Bradford & Bingley inflicted a first defeat of the season on Division One leaders at Wagon Lane in the only tie where rain didn’t play a part in the proceedings.

New Farnley are also through to the semi-finals for the first time after taking just 8.1 overs to pass Yeadon’s 110-4 in a match reduced to 20 overs.

Scott Richardson hit an explosive 68 from 21 balls as New Farnley romped into the last four.

Bankfoot and Pudsey Congs will have to play again this Sunday after just seven balls were possible in their tie.

Only two of the four Priestley Shield quarter-final ties were completed as the rain left its mark on the action with Morley and Pudsey St Lawrence securing their places in the last four.

Saltaire and East Bierley may well be relieved that the weather led to the abandonment of their game as both sides were fielding makeshift line ups.

Humare Amjad was unbeaten on 49 in a Saltaire score of 85-2 in 15 overs when play was abandoned.

Scholes had reached 138-4 in 23 overs against Bradford & Bingley when the weather closed in and both games will be re-staged this Sunday.

There was plenty of drama at Scatcherd Lane where Morley met Bankfoot in a match reduced to 20 overs per side.

Division Two side Bankfoot needed one run to upset first division outfit Morley when last man Asad Ulla Nasir was run out off the fifth ball of the final over.

With the scores tied, Morley, who made 113-7 batting first, won by virtue of losing less wickets in what was an eventful match.

Division One leaders Pudsey St Lawrence put Division Two rivals Bowling Old Lane to the sword.

Opener Duncan Butler hit 121 not out as last year’s beaten finalists St Lawrence posted 283-3.

Saints cricket chairman Paul Hutchison continued his fine form, claiming 4-32 as Old Lane were dismissed for 154 to lose by 129 runs.