Yeadon Pace bowler David Pennett had a big part to play as Bradford and Bingley faced a momentus task if they were to win the Bradford League title.

They needed one point from their game at Baildon on Sunday with the home side needing an outright win to take the title.

Bingley lost the toss and were put in on a wet wicket with little or no bounce.

Bingley stuttered to an all out 91 with Martin South providing the backbone with a knock of 51. It was a painstaking affair which took him 129 minutes.

Bingley lost early wickets to Rawdon bowler Craig Hitchenor and then former Burley CC spinner John Marshall used his experience to grab four wickets.

Only South and Patrick Fordham - who hit the only six of the game - showed any resistance.

It looked as if Bingley were out of it but Pennett - who took seven wickets the previous day against Hanging Heaton - was raring to go.

The only surprise was that skipper Richard McCarthy kept him back.

When he was let loose the blonde destroyer grabbed five wickets at a cost of 16 runs and Baildon were put out for 91 to tie the game.

It was a dramatic affair with the balance swinging one way and then the other.

Peter Graham as ever kept a cool head and he took 4-16 off 19 quality overs.

Baildon looked to have the title in their grasp at 60-3 with 24 overs to go but they could not dampen Pennett's enthusiasm.

The Baildon crowd were as hostile to Pennett as his bowling was to their batsmen but he had the last laugh gleefully clutching the championship trophy.

Veteran John Marshall came to the wicket as Baildon's last man and after a painful rap on the hand from Pennett he was given out lbw to become Pennett's fifth victim with the scores tied.

The cham,pionship joy was Braddford and Bingley's and their wicketkeeper-batsman Patrick Fordham - enjoying his first season back in England after ten years as skipper of the Hong Kong international side, described it as the most exciting game he had ever played in.

Few who witnessed the game would argue with him.

Six local players have helped Bradford aned Bingley to their title success. The side was skippered by Australian Richard McCarthy who has made his home in Guiseley.

Bowlers David Pennett of Yeadon and Peter Graham of Menston have had big roles to play as has wicketeeper-batsman Patrick Fordham from Guiseley.

Rawdon all-rounder Mark Best and Otley batsman Ian Chaplin have also played their part for the side that won 14 of its 26 games and lost only two.

Promoted

The final double weekend saw Cleckheaton - for whom former Yeadon wicketkeeper-batsman Alastair Long plays - win the Second Division title and subsequent promotion.

Brighouse and Bankfoot will join them in the First Division while Bowling Old Lane, Saltaire and Lightcliffe are relegated.

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