CLECKHEATON recovered from the disappointment of their Priestley Cup final defeat by winning the Bradford League championship for the second season in a row after 114-run win at Farsley on the day bottom clubs Morley and Yeadon were relegated to Division Two.

Needing 16 points from their last two matches to retain the championship, Cleckheaton made sure of the title with their 19 point victory as their only challengers, Woodlands were involved in a tie at cup winners Pudsey St Lawrence.

Cleckheaton posted a total of 220-8 with openers Andy Gorrod (47) and Tim Jackson (34) sharing an opening stand of 69 while skipper John Wood, defying an Achilles injury, made 35.

Former Yorkshire pace bowler James Lee, not now a regular bowler with Cleckheaton, took 3-10 as Farsley slumped to 16-4 and were subsequently bowled out for 106.with overseas leg spinner Tanzeel Altaf taking 5-39.

Woodlands, guaranteed second place, were involved in the most dramatic match of the day at Tofts Road.

Replying to Woodlands’ 201-9, opener Adam Waite led St Lawrence’s challenge with 89 not out as the result hung on the final over bowled by Scott Richardson. Waite, who needed to score six of the last two balls, struck the penultimate delivery for four, but could only manage a single off the final ball as St Lawrence finished on 201-7.

Earlier, Waite had rescued his side from 34-3 with a fourth wicket stand of 119 with skipper James Smith (68).

Highlight of the Woodlands innings was a century by opener Sam Frankland, who made exactly 100, including thee sixes and ten fours as off spinner Steve Watts took 5-49.

Elsewhere, Gary Fellows struck his first century of the season – 106, including 14 fours – as third placed Hanging Heaton won by 68 runs at East Bierley. Hanging Heaton totalled 218-9 before bowling out Bierley for 150 with off spinner David Paynter taking 7-35. Bierley’s second batting point guaranteed their First Division future and confirmed the relegation of Morley and Yeadon.

Opening bowler Nick Walker (5-23) and off spinner Dave McCallum (5-18) each took five wickets as New Farnley beat Lightcliffe by 86 runs after bowling them out for 60.

Pace bowler Jack Hartley produced a match winning bowling performance, taking 6-24 as Bradford & Bingley beat Pudsey Congs by 38 runs, dismissing the visitors for 95.

Morley gained their first win in 14 matches, beating bottom club Yeadon by 28 runs, but the relegation of both clubs had been confirmed before then. Yeadon were bowled out for 155 with pace man Matthew Dowse (4-44) and off spinner David Nebard (4-38) each taking four wickets as only Tariq Meboob (75) showed much resistance.

Saltaire secured promotion back to the First Division at the first attempt with a 104-run win at Hartshead Moor and they also have the chance of winning the Division Two title after leaders Undercliffe suffered a surprise two wicket defeat at Bowing Old Lane.

Saltaire made 187 before bowling out Hartshead for 87 with Adeel Ashraf taking 5-18. Undercliffe’s batting failed as they were dismissed for 116. Old Lane’s batsmen also struggled before scraping home for the loss of eight wickets.