CHAMPIONS Pudsey St Lawrence breathed new life into their bid for a third-successive All Rounder Cricket Bradford Premier League title by inflicting a first defeat of the season on leaders Hanging Heaton.

There was just one ball to spare when Richie Lamb hit the winning run to secure a two-wicket triumph for the Saints.

The hero of their successful run chase was skipper James Smith. He took charge when his side looked to be faltering at 94-4, after the departure of opener Mark Robertshaw for 34, in reply to Hanging Heaton's 248-9.

Smith hammered five sixes and ten fours as he made 90 from 73 balls. Chris Marsden, who had earlier taken 5-57 with his off spin to peg back the hosts after they had made a flying start, helped trigger the recovery.

And when he departed, Tom Hudson added 67 for the sixth wicket with Smith.

When both fell in successive balls to Tom Chippendale (4-81) it looked as if the tide had turned again, but Lamb had other ideas. His 15 not out from ten balls saw his side home.

Overseas player Muhammad Rameez (3-73) was the other main wicket-taker for Hanging Heaton, who were left to rue the fact they didn't make the most of another excellent start.

Hanging Heaton are now just five points ahead of both Pudsey St Lawrence and Farsley as the season reaches its midway point.

Farsley bounced back to winning ways after their defea tby Woodlands with a 75-run win over Townville.

Dan Hodgson, who missed the Woodlands game, marked his return in impressive style. He made 105, hitting three sixes and 14 fours as he helped his side to 287-6.

Ryan Cooper (46), James Wainman (35) and Greg Pickles (35) gave him good support while Conor Harvey picked up 3-68 for Townville.

Opener Jonathan Booth, who made over 1,000 league runs last season, led the way with 61 in Townville's reply of 212.

Brayden Clark (41) was the other main contributor as Farsley's spinner Adam Ahmed (4-64) and Mark Harrison (3-64) sealed their team's win.

Woodlands were made to work hard for their 18-run win over bottom team Batley.

The forceful Jamie Pickering top scored with 75 and was supported by Jack McGahan (43) as Woodlands made 229-8 in their 50 overs.

Muhammad Hafeez (4-55) and Mohammad Shahnawaz (3-43) were the pick of the bowlers for Batley, who made a good start to their reply.

Hafeez (56) and Abubaker Khan (44) gave them genuine hope of a surprise win until Elliot Richardson (4-70) and Chris Brice (3-48) struck for Woodlands.

New Farnley skipper Lee Goddard hit the day's highest individual score. He made 146 not out as his side defeated a youthful Pudsey Congs side – minus their experienced captain Babar Butt with an Achilles injury – by 61 runs.

Goddard hit four sixes and 14 fours as he helped his side to 268-6. Congs made a spirited response with Irfan Amjad making a determined 64 and Mubtada Akhtar (32).

The day's best bowling figures belonged to Bradford & Bingley's Jack Hartley. He took 7-59 as his side dismissed East Bierley for 179 to secure n 18-run win.

Bradford & Bingley openers Jack Edgar (50) and David Clow (44) gave their side a good start, but their colleagues were pegged back by spinner Shaaik Coudhary as they were bowled out for 197.

Another bowler in top form was Cleckheaton spinner Qaisar Ashraf. He took 6-48 against Lightcliffe but could not save his side from a 49-run defeat.

Opener Kasir Maroof played the decisive innings of the match, his 106 dominating Lightcliffe's 181. He hit two sixes and 13 fours.

Cleckheaton were bowled out for 132 in their innings as Alex Stead, who doesn't do much bowling these days, took 5-25.