Rule 18 - which governs match play - is one of the more contentious in the Specialist Ducting Supplies Bradford League.

But it (or more particularly the clause involving rain-affected matches) contributed heavily towards a great finish at Red Lane on Saturday.

Pudsey St Lawrence needed 211 to win, but had seven overs lopped off their 50 because of a 19-minute rain interruption.

That turned what would probably have been a cruise into a thrilling climax, which should still have resulted in a Saints victory.

The visitors needed 37 off the last five overs with James Smith and 16-year-old Mark Robertshaw chasing each other towards their half-centuries.

But the tension was turned up a notch when the recalled Craig Hitchenor only conceded three runs off his next over.

Robertshaw then hit Andrew Walker for a boundary and a two off the first two balls off the next over, and a further two to backward point in the following Hitchenor over brought him a deserved 50.

With 21 needed off two overs, Farsley skipper Ian Philliskirk bravely recalled left-arm spinner Gareth Lee at the Pavilion End - a move which looked to have cost Farsley the match.

Smith swept him fine for a boundary to reach his 50 and hit him over extra cover for another boundary - this time off a no ball - Robertshaw planting him for a six to midwicket. The over cost 18 runs, and Hitchenor started the last six balls more in hope than expectation.

His opening delivery went for a bye down the legside, and off the third Robertshaw was caught at point.

In came Andrew Doidge. He swished at his first two deliveries and missed, and they ran for a single to the keeper off the final delivery, John Goldthorpe hitting the stumps to prevent the scores being equal.

The air then turned blue as Smith gave vent to his feelings both on the way back to the dressing room and, even more volubly, in the dressing room.

Hitchenor said afterwards: "It was strange celebrating getting a point like that, but the most important thing was that it stopped them winning and going above us in the table.

"We are quite handily placed and have been on a good run over the last few weeks."

The 30-year-old pace stalwart added: "Only one or two times out of ten would a bowler come out of a final over like that not conceding those three runs. Most of the time James would hit a boundary, but once we got him off strike I knew we had a chance.

"And then when we got Mark out it was always going to be difficult for a new man coming in.

"Once Andrew had swished and missed at that first one then what is a batsman to do? Does he make sure he hits the next delivery or have another swish? And that is when the pressure really increases, but it was difficult for Gareth to have come on and bowled the second-last over."

Farsley were disappointed to only post a total of 210 after the classy David Barnes (55) and Lee (14) had put on 68 for the first wicket.

But 68 for none quickly became 74 for three, and it needed some stout middle-order resistance from Nahim Ashraf (30), Goldthorpe (47, including three fours and three sixes) and Matthew Speck (25) to climb over the double

century.

Christo Karamaker was pacy throughout for Saints, and was rewarded with figures of four for 73.