Bradford Cricket League Division One: Cleckheaton has clinched promotion back to the top flight after a resounding 67-run victory against second-placed Undercliffe. This achievement leaves them requiring merely 12 points from their final three matches to secure the championship title.
The overseas player, Yousaf Baber, became the second Cleckheaton player in consecutive weeks to achieve 1,000 league runs for the season, accomplishing this feat with a score of 79. Young all-rounder Lachlan Doidge (49) provided valuable support, and an undefeated 30 by James Stansfield aided Cleckheaton in reaching a total of 270-6.
Undercliffe, led by opener Danish Hussain (70) and George Myers (36), made a decent effort, but their team was eventually dismissed for 203, with spinner Doidge taking 4-59.
The defeat suffered by Undercliffe implies that Morley still has a chance to secure the second promotion position. Currently trailing by 16 points, Morley has three games remaining following their 31-run triumph over Gomersal.
Gordon Thomson (5-69) delivered his most impressive performance of the season, complemented by Ali Usman (3-32), as Gomersal was bundled out for 172 while pursuing a DLS target of 204 for victory. Ibrar Younis (62) achieved the highest score for the team.
Young batsman Aryan Singh (53), Jack Rowett (35), and Usman (31) contributed to Morley’s total of 183-6 before rain intervened. Jonathan Boynton took 4-60 for Gomersal.
Overseas player Nasir Totakhil claimed 5-33 as Batley clinched a thrilling two-run victory at Sandal, successfully defending a modest score of 123. Brandon Hewlett (30) was the leading scorer for Sandal.
Batley owed their recovery from 46-7 to Roheil Hussain (38) and Kasir Maroof (34), as Michael Carroll (4-22) and Kasun Madushanka (4-42) found early success with the new ball.
East Ardsley’s relegation to Division Two was sealed following a dismal 10-wicket defeat against Birstall. They were dismissed for a mere 36, with paceman Waqas Khan (5-17) and spinner Dave McCallum (3-4) inflicting most of the damage. Birstall’s openers, Eric Austin and Noah Chapman, guided their team to victory without losing a wicket. This result elevated Batley above Baildon, whose match against Carlton was abandoned.
Yeadon regained their winning form with an emphatic eight-wicket victory over East Bierley. Istikhar Hussain (5-22) and Amir Hussain (3-26) combined forces to dismiss East Bierley for 91. Sri Lankan Pasindu Thirimadura’s unbeaten 34 guided Yeadon to victory.
