Bradford Cricket League Division One witnessed significant changes in the standings after an exhilarating match between Sandal and East Bierley, resulting in Sandal’s first win of the season by six wickets.
Sandal’s Ashley Mackereth stole the show with a magnificent knock of 117 runs off just 77 deliveries. His explosive innings, comprising 10 sixes and 11 fours, set the tone for Sandal’s chase of East Bierley’s total of 287-8. Sohail Hussain (57 not out) and Kasun Madushanka (51 not out) ensured that Mackereth’s efforts did not go in vain.
In East Bierley’s innings, young talent Tom Burton showcased his skills with a brilliant knock of 90 runs. Sam Gatenby (71) and Umar Abbas (39) provided valuable support to help East Bierley set a challenging target.
This result had a significant impact on the league table, with East Bierley plummeting from the top position to fifth after just one week at the summit. Meanwhile, Sandal climbed off the bottom, displacing East Ardsley.
Cleckheaton now assumes the top spot following their comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Morley. Overseas player Yousaf Baber once again proved instrumental with a sensational innings of 151 runs. Baber’s aggressive batting, including five sixes and 21 fours, dismantled the opposition’s bowling attack. Skipper Richard Pyrah (69 not out) also contributed significantly, sharing a crucial partnership of 218 runs with Baber. Cleckheaton comfortably surpassed Morley’s total of 252-8.
Morley’s James McNichol displayed his batting prowess yet again, top-scoring with 71 runs. Opener Jack Rowett (50) and Gordon Thomson (47) also contributed to their team’s score. Spinner Lachlan Doidge impressed with figures of 4-82.
Cleckheaton now leads the league with 104 points, narrowly ahead of Undercliffe, who defeated Birstall by eight wickets and have a game in hand. Ben Morley emerged as the hero for Undercliffe, smashing an unbeaten 155 runs to successfully chase down Birstall’s total of 251 runs.
Morley, who struggled in his previous innings, seized the opportunity as he was promoted to opener, striking seven sixes and 22 fours. Skipper Bailey Worcester (52) played a vital role, forming a partnership of 149 runs with Morley for the second wicket.
Rishi Limbechaya (64), Nick Kaye (51), and Matthew Dyson (38) were the prominent scorers for Birstall. The bowling duo of Abdullah Khan (4-61) and Zeeshan Qasim (3-55) posed a significant threat.
Batley, with a game in hand on Cleckheaton, sits four points behind in third place after an eight-wicket triumph over Baildon. Umar Farooq (5-22) and Nisar Totakhil (4-32) wreaked havoc on Baildon’s batting lineup, restricting them to a paltry 65 runs. Roheil Hussain (37) guided Batley to a comfortable victory.
A nail-biting finish occurred at Carlton, where the home team clinched a thrilling one-wicket win over East Ardsley with just two balls remaining. Last man Will Hayton (23 not out) sealed the victory with a six, surpassing East Ardsley’s total of 190 runs.
Despite Josh Wild’s impressive figures of 4-50, East Ardsley fell short of victory. Steve Cooper (48) was the lone batsman to make a significant contribution until Hayton’s crucial late heroics.
Suraj Singh (56) and James Van der Merwe (39) displayed notable batting performances for East Ardsley. Carlton’s key bowlers were overseas player Sana Ullah Khan (4-53) and Kieran Holliday (4-49).
Yeadon continued their winning streak by defeating Gomersal by nine wickets, propelling them to fourth place. Istikhar Hussain (6-32) and Adeel Ashraf (4-32) were instrumental in dismissing Gomersal for a mere 64 runs. Sri Lankan Pasindu Thirimadura (50 not out) guided Yeadon to a comfortable victory.
