DEFENDING champions Cleckheaton are the new leaders of Division One.

They beat Farsley by 150 runs while leaders Woodlands went down to their first defeat of the season at home to Pudsey St Lawrence.

Cleckheaton have an 11-point lead over Woodlands with St Lawrence a further four points adrift after their ten-run win.

The foundations for Cleckheaton’s impressive victory were laid in a first wicket stand of 192 between Andy Gorrod and Tim Jackson.

Gorrod hit three sixes and 16 fours in his 124 – his first century for his new club – while Jackson hit two sixes and ten fours, just missing out on his century after being dismissed for 92.

Cleckheaton totalled a formidable 273-9 before dismissing Farsley for 123. Former Yorkshire batsman Joe Sayers made 63 not out, but received little support as spinners Tanzeel Altaf took 5-44 and Andrew Deegan (3-34).

It was also a notable day for one time champions Pudsey Congs, who recorded their first win of the season, collecting maximum 20 points from 88-run home win over Bradford & Bingley. Joe Greaves was top scorer with 64 while Nick Lindley made 43 and Gareth Phillips (34) as Congs reached 268-7 before dismissing Bingley for 180 with overseas bowler James Pearson taking 6-53. Ryan Cooper top scored with 44 for Bingley while Jacob Roach made 39 and skipper Phil Slater (34), but it wasn’t enough to challenge Congs’ total.

Despite their win, Congs are still bottom of the table, one point behind Yeadon, who recovered from 23-5 to beat Morley away by four wickets. After restricting Morley to 129-8 they recovered from their early scares with Tariq Mehboob unbeaten on 70 when victory was achieved.

East Bierley gained a six-wicket win at Hanging Heaton after bowling the home side out for 116, of which David Stiff made 40.

Kez Ahmed was Bierley’s most successful bowler with 3-10 before skipper Gavin Hamilton (49) guided them to their modest target.

New Farnley beat Lightcliffe at home by five wickets after dismissing the visitors for 109.