BEATEN 2016 finalists Pudsey St Lawrence had a close scrape at Cleckheaton as they edged a three-run win in a tense finish to their Priestley Cup first-round tie.

Saints had to dig deep to post 210 after Cleckheaton's new overseas player Qaisar Ashraf took 5-27 with his left-arm spin. Charlie Best was the top scorer with 60, while Barrie Frankland (34) and Chris Marsden (33) also came up with important contributions.

St Lawrence, who had Yorkshire Academy skipper Jordan Thompson making a rare appearance, found themselves under pressure as Mally Nicholson threatened to turn the game around with an unbeaten 72, only for his side to finish just short on 207-9.

Holders Woodlands eased into the second round as they defeated Premier Division bottom team Bradford & Bingley by 90 runs.

Wicketkeeper Greg Finn was promoted to open in the absence of Sam Frankland and responded with a knock of 56.

Jamie Pickering continued his good form with 37 before the innings went into a slump which was only halted by the bold efforts of Chris Brice (40no) and Scott Richardson (36no) in an unbroken ninth-wicket partnership of 58 which swelled the score to 261-8.

Bradford & Bingley's top order struggled again but overseas player Noman Ali provided a boost for his side with a hard-hit 60 containing a six and ten fours. Yassir Abbas (31no) was the only other batsman to settle in a total of 171, pace bowler Elliot Richardson taking 3-56.

Woodlands now face a tough trip to Hanging Heaton in the second round after the Bennett Lane club secured their place with a hard-earned 22-run win at Townville.

Opener Nick Connolly followed up his century against Lightcliffe on Saturday with 91. He was joined in a second-wicket stand of 106 by Richard Foster (51), which helped their side to 266.

Callum Geldart chipped in with 33 against a bowling attack in which spinner Jack Hughes (4-36) and Connor Harvey (3-34) were the most successful.

Townville were given a bright start to their reply, with Jonathan Booth (74) and Kris Ward (40) putting on 97 for the first wicket.

Hughes (53) carried on the fight but David Stiff (4-31) and Tom Chippendale (3-51) ensured they were bowled out for 244.

Championship One side Wrenthorpe continued their impressive start to the new season by knocking out Pudsey Congs.

They defeated the Premier Division side by 75 runs, with Luke Patel playing the lead role. Patel top-scored with a fine 91 as Wrenthorpe made 286-7 and followed up by taking 3-35 with his off-spin as Congs were dismissed for 211.

Patel also shared a decisive fifth-wicket stand of 148 with Sam Wigglesworth (89) as the Congs bowlers were made to toil.

Skipper Babar Butt (39) and Jonathan Donnelly (36) were the leading scorers for Congs as Patel and fellow spinner Matt Holstein (3-46) got to work.

Jordan Laban hit a maiden century for new club Methley as they scored a crushing 220-run win over Ossett.

Laban, part of the Woodlands team that won the cup last year, hit a six and 14 fours in making 100, which helped his side to 300-5. Skipper Grant Soames (48) and Edward Walmsley (33) gave good support.

Ossett's batting crumbled to 80 all out as Marcus Walmsley (3-16) and Matthew Lumb (3-27) struck hard.

If there was a small crumb of comfort for Ossett, their score was not the lowest of the day. That dubious distinction went to Bankfoot, who were all out for 68 as Yeadon beat them by eight wickets.

Paul Machell returned the impressive figures of 4-7 from ten overs for Yeadon, who were sped to victory by Zac Wheatley's unbeaten 41.

East Bierley avenged their opening-day league defeat by defeating 2013 winners Lightcliffe by 37 runs. Ian Philliskirk did his best to keep Lightcliffe's hopes alive by taking 4-49 and making 77 but it was not enough.

East Bierley's 237 saw Umar Yaqoob (41) and Adal Islam (37) make key contributions. Lightcliffe's hopes disappeared once former Bierley skipper Rob Burton (51) and Philliskirk saw their sixth-wicket stand of 118 ended. The pick of the bowlers was Tuseif Arshad (4-23).

New Farnley were a team in a hurry as they chased down Baildon's 228-7 in just 29 overs. Opener Martin Andersson seems to enjoy cup cricket, following up his century in the recent Heavy Woollen Cup win at Shepley with 107.

Andersson hit two sixes and 17 fours as he shared a first-wicket stand of 101 with Simon Lambert (48). Dave Cummings was unbeaten on 42 when victory was achieved.

Baildon's total, which looked a challenging one until New Farnley got into their stride, owed much to the efforts of Chris Reynolds (51no) and Jonny Reynolds (41), former Baildon seamer Richard Atkins taking 3-31 against his old club.

Second-round draw: Hanging Heaton v Woodlands, Wrenthorpe v Birstall, Methley v Gomersal, Yeadon v Undercliffe, New Farnley v East Bierley, Pudsey St Lawrence v Batley, Morley v Bowling Old Lane, Scholes v Farsley. Ties to be played Sunday, June 4.