The Bradford League took another big step towards retaining the Costcutter Inter-League Cup with a comfortable 33-run victory over the South Ridings League at Pudsey Congs yesterday.

But they had to recover from an early crisis before defeating the side they beat by nine wickets in last year's final.

The Bradford League looked in deep trouble when the South Ridings League's talented 18-year-old left-arm pace bowler Paul Tasker reduced them to 43 for four.

He removed James Middlebrook, James Stansfield, Andrew Bairstow and Andy Bethel during a superb opening burst.

But the Bradford League were indebted to Barbar Butt, on his home ground, and James Smith (Pudsey St Lawrence) for triggering an impressive recovery.

Butt set the tone with a series of bold strokes and Smith quickly captured the mood as the pair put together a decisive fifth-wicket stand of 152.

Smith hammered six sixes and six fours in making 86, while Butt's 70 was laced with three sixes and seven fours.

Their departures sparked another mini collapse as Tasker returned to the attack and completed his ten-over spell with stunning figures of seven for 54, which were good enough to earn him the Man of the Match award.

Richard McCarthy (25 not out) and Glen Roberts (20 not out) compiled a priceless unbroken ninth-wicket partnership of 44 in the closing overs as the Bradford League posted a score of 248 for eight.

The South Ridings League were unable to come to terms with the required run rate of five an over.

They plunged to 93 for five, but Mo Raza set a few hearts fluttering as he launched a stunning counter-attack. He blasted five big sixes and six fours and their was hope until he was dismissed by Neil Gill. McCarthy completed the win by claiming the last two wickets.