NEW Farnley returned to the top of The All Rounder Cricket Bradford Premier League's Premier Division after a commanding eight-wicket win over previous leaders Pudsey St Lawrence.

Their Middlesex second team opener Martin Andersson made an unbeaten 115 as they passed the Saints score of 228-9.

Andersson struck two sixes and 13 fours as New Farnley completed their victory with 8.4 overs to spare.

He was joined in an opening stand of 107 by Simon Lambert (51) before linking up in an unbroken third-wicket alliance of 116 with Yorkshire’s Andrew Hodd, who finished 48 not out.

Like Andersson, fellow opener Lambert had a big influence on his side’s win. His under-rated spin bowling came up trumps as he took 6-49 to prevent St Lawrence from building on a fast start.

From 148-1, their innings faded away when a bigger score than the 228 they posted seemed possible. Mark Robertshaw (78) and Charlie Best (43) were their top scorers.

The result means New Farnley now lead by a point from St Lawrence with Hanging Heaton a further 18 points back after they suffered their second successive defeat, by three wickets against Methley.

Adam Patel is proving to be a great addition to Methley’s batting line-up. He made 79 and shared a decisive fourth-wicket partnership of 140 with skipper Grant Soames as the Premier Division new boys chased down Hanging Heaton’s 246 with 17 balls to spare.

As well as Patel giving the batting a lift, Methley look to have found a fine overseas fast bowler in Waqas Ahmed. He continued his good form with 6-64 and was backed up by Soames (4-50) as Hanging Heaton were prevented from capitalising as much as they would have hoped on the fourth-wicket stand of 102 between Callum Geldart (85) and Ben Kohler-Cadmore (35).

Methley picked up a maximum 20 points for their win and are now seventh, just five points behind third-placed Hanging Heaton.

While there was drama at the top of the table, there was also something for bottom-team East Bierley to celebrate as they defeated Cleckheaton to record their first win of the campaign.

Ibrar Younis was the man who delivered with the ball, taking 5-29 as Cleckheaton were skittled out for just 84 in reply to East Bierley’s modest 133.

Tail-ender Taufeeq Ahmed’s late 21 proved crucial for East Bierley after left-armer Josh Thurwell impressed again for Cleckheaton with 5-38. Former Bierley all-rounder Nick Walker backed him up with 4-43.

Despite the win and a welcome 16 points, East Bierley are still 19 points adrift of Scholes who suffered a 50-run defeat at Woodlands.

Left-arm spinner Chris Brice (6-54) weaved his magic again as Scholes were bowled out for 181 in response to Woodlands’ 231-7. Opener Shoukat Ali (44) and overseas Aditya Waghmode (41) were the best of the Scholes batsmen.

Woodlands built their total around the contributions of skipper Tim Jackson (78) and Cieran Garner (66no), who looks to be finding his feet at first-team level. Waghmode took 4-73 for Scholes.

Farsley skipper Ryan Cooper hit his first century of the season to help his side to a 128-run win over Bradford & Bingley, which takes them to within two points of Hanging Heaton.

Cooper, who hit a six and 16 fours, shared in two century partnerships. Dan Hodgson (55) added 110 with him for the fourth wicket while Pat Kruger (56) helped put on102 for the fifth wicket in a total of 258-8.

Bradford & Bingley’s best bowler was Jack Hartley (4-66) while Ed Brown (36) top scored in their disappointing reply of 130. Chris Henry (3-27) and James Logan (3-21) were the pick of the bowlers.

Lightcliffe’s charge up the table stalled as improving Townville defeated them by five wickets.

Their hopes of continuing their winning streak were undone when Richie Bresnan took four wickets in two overs to reduce Lightcliffe from 83-2 to 83-6. Suleman Khan’s 38 was the top score in their total of 176. Bresnan finished with 4-17, while Conor Harvey took 4-57.

Brayden Clark (70) and Kevin Ward (35) ensured that Townville didn’t have too much trouble securing another win.