In a thrilling encounter, Hartshead Moor Cricket Club secured a resounding nine-wicket victory over Keighley Cricket Club, propelling them to the top of the table in the Bradford Cricket League Division Two. Andrew Gale’s exceptional unbeaten knock of 103 runs off just 69 deliveries played a pivotal role in their triumph.
Gale’s blazing innings included two colossal sixes and five impressive boundaries, with Chris Wynd providing unwavering support by contributing a well-crafted 85 runs. Keighley Cricket Club struggled to contain the onslaught of the Hartshead Moor batsmen, unable to withstand their ferocious attack.
Keighley managed to post a total of 208 runs, with skipper Simon Bailey showcasing his mettle with an unbeaten 58 runs, well supported by Wasim Hussain, who contributed 36 runs. Nevertheless, their efforts proved insufficient as Gale and Wynd unleashed a devastating counter-attack. The bowlers who spearheaded Hartshead Moor’s victory were Moin Hussain, claiming impressive figures of 4-46, and the young spinner Lewis Lomax, who chipped in with 4-44.
Meanwhile, Bowling Old Lane joined Hartshead Moor at the top of the standings, amassing 127 points after clinching a hard-fought 26-run triumph against Northowram Fields Cricket Club. Hazrat Abbas, Shahzaib Khan, and Tahir Khan all played vital roles, each scoring half-centuries, as Old Lane posted a formidable total of 280-7. Richard Gould and Australian import Harry Hauenstein valiantly battled for Northowram Fields, but their team was eventually dismissed for 254 runs, with Ahsan Alishan claiming three crucial wickets for Bowling Old Lane.
Hopton Mills suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Lightcliffe, causing them to drop from first to third position in the league standings. Ben Haigh was the sole batsman to resist the relentless Lightcliffe attack, scoring 43 runs, while Peter Dobson wreaked havoc with figures of 5-63. Lightcliffe comfortably chased down the target of 148 runs, thanks to a formidable opening partnership of 108 runs between Isaac Dikgale (71) and Alex Stead (48).
Buttershaw St Paul’s Cricket Club witnessed a high-scoring encounter as they emerged victorious by a margin of 92 runs against Wrenthorpe Cricket Club. The home team set an imposing target of 379-5, propelled by Amer Ayoub’s scintillating unbeaten knock of 121 runs, supported by skipper Adam Wainwright’s valuable contribution of 78 runs. In response, Wrenthorpe fought gallantly, with Bilal Shahid (85) and Muhammad Aldas (71) leading the charge. Ayoub showcased his all-round prowess by claiming three wickets, while Harry Dibb took three scalps as well, ultimately restricting Wrenthorpe to 287 runs.
Heckmondwike & Carlinghow emerged triumphant in a closely contested match against Crossflatts Cricket Club, securing a five-wicket win. Qamar Shahzad’s unbeaten knock of 77 runs, coupled with Paul Cooper’s valuable 39 not out, steered Heckmondwike & Carlinghow to victory. Earlier, Crossflatts had set a target of 204 runs, with Tinashe Gomwe (57) and Nadeem Safdar (48) being the main contributors. Muhammad Shahnawaz and Surender Singh posed a significant threat, taking three wickets apiece for Heckmondwike & Carlinghow.
In another thrilling encounter, Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club emerged victorious by 75 runs against Liversedge Cricket Club, courtesy of a splendid maiden century by Igwe Craig. Craig’s exceptional knock of 104 runs, comprising four sixes and 12 boundaries, guided Hunslet Nelson to a respectable total of 257-9. Liversedge struggled in their run chase, with Quadratullah Azizi (3-49) and Parvaise Khan (3-83) leading the bowling attack. Despite Azizi’s blistering knock of 49 runs from just 20 balls, Liversedge was dismissed for 182 runs. Alastair Finn claimed four wickets for Hunslet Nelson, supported by Sam Thewlis, who took three wickets.
With these exhilarating matches in the Bradford Cricket League Division Two, Hartshead Moor Cricket Club now holds the pole position, closely followed by Bowling Old Lane. The competition promises to heat up further as the teams battle for supremacy in the upcoming fixtures.
