UNDERCLIFFE continued their good start to the Bradford League season with a five-wicket win over Birstall in Championship One at Intake Road.

Opening bowlers Zeeshan Qasim (5-26) and Craig Wiseman (4-32) posed problems as the visitors were restricted to 156. Veteran Eric Austin battled hard for top score of 53.

Gulsheraz Ahmed sped Undercliffe towards their victory target with an innings of 78 which was punctuated with five sixes and seven fours. Opener Toby Thorpe made 38 as Undercliffe countered the determined efforts of Haris Mohammad (4-40).

Scholes look like a side determined to challenge for a quick return to the top flight. They hustled out Yeadon for 86 to secure a convincing 142-run win.

Yasir Ali (5-36) and Christian Jackson (4-20) made the going tough for the Yeadon batsman. Skipper Damon Gormley's 30 was their top score.

Scholes had found run scoring far easier when they batted first. Akbar Badshah (52), Jackson (37) and Shoukat Ali (35) led the way despite the efforts of Mohammad Altaf (4-42) and Thomas Cordon (3-35).

There was a close game at Bowling Old Lane where the home side beat visitors Baildon by eight runs

Opener Farakh Hussain (68) and Sadaqat Zaman (40no) helped Old Lane to a score of 219-9. Baildon skipper Simon Bailey was his side's best bowler with 3-75.

Baildon looked to be in with a great chance of winning while opener Jack Hainsworth (72) and Mounam Ejaz (51) were at the crease, unfortunately, their side fell just short as they finished on

211-5.

New signings Joe Duffy and Nick Whitehill played their parts in Gomersal's four-wicket win at Ossett. Whitehill top scored with 39 as Gomersal overhauled the home side's 160-9, a total which owed much to the efforts of Zubair Raje (68) and Imran Patel (30). Duffy was the pick of the bowlers with 3-35.

Wrenthorpe recorded the day's highest score as they compiled an impressive 323-7 as they defeated Bankfoot by 189 runs to notch their second win of the new season.

Skipper Greg Wood, back from his rugby union duties with Sandal, led the way with a fine 95. The former East Bierley [player hit three sixes and 12 fours. Luke Patel (59) continued his good form as he shared a fourth-wicket stand of 140 with Wood. Spinner Andrew Stothart opened the bowling for Bankfoot and was their most-successful bowler with 3-91.

Bankfoot found the going tough against Jonathan Rudge (6-69) with Prangige Peiris (32) the only batsman to make an impression until Kamran Siddique produced some big hitting down the order as he made a brisk 58 not out. He hit three sixes and nine fours, and at least reduced the margin of defeat.

Methley continued their winning start with an emphatic ten-wicket success at Morley. Shohail Raz took 4-31 and Marcus Walmsley (3-6) as Morley were skittled out for just 65. Methley were guided to victory by openers Marcus Walmsley and Muhammad Akhlaq who shared an unbroken stand of 69.

Akhlaq, who made 214 not out on his debut, has still not been dismissed in Championship One action and has 243 runs to his name.