Bradford Cricket League Division Two Update: Bowling Old Lane and Hartshead Moor are on the verge of confirming their promotion following triumphs in their recent matches.
Bowling Old Lane requires just two more points to secure promotion after a hard-fought five-run victory against Northowram Fields, winners of the Jack Hampshire Cup. Noteworthy performances by Imran Malik (59 not out), Adnan Mahmood (44), and Hisan Ahmad (42) enabled Old Lane to amass a total of 224-7. Harry Hauenstein shone for Northowram Fields with bowling figures of 3-40. Northowram Fields, tasked with chasing a revised target of 224 in 45 overs, fell slightly short at 218-8. Despite determined efforts from Australian Hauenstein (86 not out), Callum Phillipson (50), and Richard Gould (36), Old Lane managed to secure the victory.
Hartshead Moor, needing four points to guarantee their place in Division One next season, enjoyed a commanding 118-run win over Keighley. Former Yorkshire and England all-rounder Tim Bresnan played a pivotal role with an impressive score of 116 in their total of 362-6. Bresnan’s exceptional innings included six sixes and 11 fours. He was ably supported by Craig Field (87) in a fourth-wicket partnership worth 192 runs. The foundation for this strong score was laid by openers Chris Swift (56) and Chris Wynd (53), who contributed 104 runs. Spinner Lewis Lomax continued to be a key figure for Hartshead Moor, taking 6-39 as Keighley was bowled out for 144. Muhammad Shahnawaz and Amjid Hussain both made 30 runs for Keighley.
In the third spot, Lightcliffe contained Hopton Mills at 96-8, thanks to Andrew Walker (5-36) and Jonathan Whiteoak (3-16). Lightcliffe then comfortably reached a revised target of 86 runs, with Niall Lockley contributing 39 to their successful chase. Hopton Mills’ highest scorer was Usman Maqsood with 41 not out.
Buttershaw St Paul’s displayed a determined effort to avoid relegation to Division Three by defeating the already relegated Wrenthorpe by nine runs. Skipper Adam Wainwright led from the front with a notable 90 runs, well-supported by Amer Ayoub (37), leading to a team total of 234-8. Despite the challenges posed by bowlers Shakrukh Ali (3-30) and Sad Hamid (3-51), St Paul’s managed to set a competitive score. Facing a DLS-adjusted target of 198, Wrenthorpe’s batsmen put up a fight, led by Muhammad Addas (65) and Ali (57), but were eventually bowled out for 188. Mussawar Shah (3-43) and Ayoub (3-48) stood out as the top bowlers.
Sitting just seven points behind Crossflatts, Buttershaw St Paul’s is in close contention for promotion. Crossflatts faced a 49-run defeat against Heckmondwike & Carlinghow, bowled out for 127. Muhammad Shahnawaz (5-24) and Surender Singh (4-27) were instrumental in securing the victory for Heckmondwike & Carlinghow, who had earlier posted 176-8. Usman Qureshi (55 not out) and Shahnawaz (46) played vital roles in their innings. Azhar Mehmood’s (4-17) standout performance with the ball was a highlight for Crossflatts.
In the fourth position, Hunslet Nelson managed to bowl out Liversedge for 166, with their spinners Sam Thewlis (5-47) and Matthew Varley (3-48) being the primary contributors. Unfortunately, the match was abandoned due to rain after Australian Bryson Nicholls (43) and Imran Dawood (38) were the top scorers for Hunslet Nelson.
