The Upper Airedale Junior League under-12s defeated their Bradford Junior League counterparts by five wickets on a warm and sultry afternoon at Idle Cricket Club.

Upper Airedale captain Ben Sugden won the toss and asked Bradford to bat, Tom Mawer (Oxenhope) and Charlie Hall (Cullingworth) producing a fine opening spell, conceding just 11 runs.

It also included the wicket of Jonathan Robinson for nought, bowled by a speedy Mawer.

Tom Addison (Oxenhope) was a little short in his three overs, going for 17, and skipper Sugden (Silsden) allowed another 12.

Bradford opener Allman had settled well and looked a polished player. After 12 overs, Bradford had advanced considerably to 45-1.

Wharfedale’s Matt Daggett came in for his first match and his three overs cost only 13. At the other end, the leg-spin of Jacob Jagger (Wilsden), who was the star of the show against the Aire-Wharfe Junior League at Oxenhope earlier in the season, immediately made things happen.

Firstly Grace was reduced to panic, only to be run out for one, No 4 Ahmed was then well caught by Addison at deep cover for 15, and Darling was comfortably caught at mid-on by Max Orviss (Silsden) and the scoreboard had changed to 77-4 after 18 overs.

Mawer and Hall were recalled to try and dislodge Allman, who eventually retired on 51.

But soon after, Hall bowled Ahmed (15) to arrest the growing partnership with Abdi Hussain.

The score was 103-5 after 24 overs but the run-rate had slowed markedly since Allman had left the arena. Nick Firth came on for just one over but his second ball brought another calamity and a run out for Hussaib (9) at 104-6.

Addison came back for a second two-over burst and much better lengths got their reward with the wicket of Noble for 0.

Sugden used himself to bring a conclusion to the innings and he was on the money with the wickets of Wilkinson and Pearce in the 14 balls, conceding just one run.

So after 29.2 overs, Bradford had reached 113-9.

The bowling had been top notch with Sugden (5.2-1-13-2) and Jagger (3-0-19-2) the major disruptors.

But Hall and Mawer also kept admirable control. Addison, Daggett and Firth all did a job, as did the catchers with none dropped and Orviss taking two identical skiers.

After pizza, chips and ice cream, the Upper Airedale batsmen first in the firing line were Firth and Matt Fleetwood (Oxenhope).

In only the second over, Pearce had a smart catch from keeper Allman to thank for Firth's wicket for just two at 3-1.

Jagger, Upper Airedale's hero at Oxenhope, came in at three but was struck on the foot by Pearce and left the field for treatment.

Will Robinson strode forth but lasted only an over, missing a straight one from Allert at 8-2, and when Addison was struck on the knee he too limped from the field for examination.

At this point, Jagger gritted his teeth and, despite a painful toe, returned to the fray.

It was to prove a turning point as he and Daggett began to forge a partnership.

Daggett excelled behind square while Jagger picked the length to perfection and drove with conviction. They combined so well for nine overs, taking the score to 46 in the 11th over.

Daggett had been the major aggressor but his fine 30 came to an end when he was caught and bowled by spinner Noble.

Upper Airedale's Yorkshire player Mawer joined Jagger and once again settled together instantly.

Noble stopped their plot at 59-4 as Mawer drove Noble straight to catcher Grace at mid off for eight.

Ellis Hudson came in at No 7 to join Jagger, who was now accumulating with style. After 18 overs, UAJCA was 70-4.

It signalled the re-introduction of opening bowlers Allert and Pearce, who had shipped just 15 runs in their earlier joint spell.

Ellis stroked the ball well and he produced the shot of the day with the sweetest cover drive for four. But his stay wasn’t long as his wicket fell for nine to Allert at 74-5.

Hall paired with Jagger as UAJCA had nudged ahead in the run-rate stakes. Only 40 runs were needed in 11 overs with five wickets left and UAJCA were slight favourites to prevail.

A stand ensued as Jagger began to cut loose and Hall too found the whitewash in support.

After 22 overs, UAJCA had 83-5 but one over later it was 100-5 with 17 coming from one Hussain over.

With victory in sight, Jagger and Hall just went for it and 115 came up after 25.3 overs without further loss.

Jagger strode to the pavilion, toe still smarting, but with 41 not out and Hall at last smiled on 12 not out.

The Bradford bowling had been tamed. While the openers had taken three wickets, they also conceded 50 runs in their 12 overs.

Spinner Noble bowled exceptionally tightly, recording figures of 6-1-20-2. But the star of the show again was Jagger, whose innings included six boundaries.