SKIPPER James Smith led Division One leaders Pudsey St Lawrence to an exciting one-wicket win over Hanging Heaton that extended their lead over second-placed Woodlands to nine points.

The hard-hitting batsman struck nine sixes and seven fours in an unbeaten 111 as St Lawrence overhauled Hanging Heaton’s challenging 262-6 with one over to spare.

Earlier, Ian Philliskirk scored his first century for his new club, hitting five sixes and 12 fours in an unbeaten innings of 123 and followed up that fine knock with 4-76 with his off spin but finished on the losing side.

Slow left-arm bowler Chris Brice produced a match-winning performance, taking 6-18 in 12.1 overs as Woodlands shot out East Bierley for 87 to record a 69-run win over their local rivals.

Earlier, Brice demonstrated his all-round ability, coming to the wicket with Woodlands struggling at 92-6 and helping his side reach 156 with their top score of 39. Richard Atkins with 4-51 and spinner Luke Jarvis 3-39 were Bierley’s most successful bowlers.

Third-placed Pudsey Congs gained a crushing 172-run win over Lightcliffe, scoring 259-5 before dismissing the home side for a mere 87. Paceman James Pearson was Congs’ most successful bowler with 5-44 while Adam Patel was their top-scorer with 85 not out and long-serving batsman Barbar Butt made 78 in his final Bradford League innings.

Opener Tim Jackson hit his second century of the season as defending champions Cleckheaton beat bottom club Undercliffe by 124 runs.

Jackson’s 123 included 20 fours and helped Cleckheaton to reach a formidable 295-4. He was joined in a stand of 132 by Ian Nicholson (60) while James Lee made 39 not out.

Overseas leg-spinner Tanzeel Altaf took 4-49 and pace bowler Curtis Free 4-39 as last season’s Second Division champions were bowled out for 171. Opener Hamid Khan was top-scorer with 64 but received insufficient support.

Yorkshire wicket-keeper Andrew Hodd made his first Bradford League century, his 106 helping New Farnley to record their first win of the season – a 158-run drubbing of newly-promoted Saltaire. Hodd shared a third-wicket stand of 134 with Lee Goddard (66) and there were useful contributions from Matthew Good (34) and skipper Mark Lawson (34no) as New Farnley posted the day’s stop score of 299-4.

Saltaire lost their first four wickets for six runs before Amer Ayub (45), Shoukat Ali (39) and Adeel Ashraf (34) led a recovery, helping the visitors to 141, with Mohammed Bilal taking 3-16 and Dave McCallum 3-68.

Morley, bidding for a quick return to the top flight, are the new leaders of the Second Division after beating Bowling Old Lane by 91 runs as overseas player Nashif Naveed followed his century in the previous week’s win over Brighouse with 94 in Morley’s total of 232-7. His fourth-wicket stand of 114 with skipper Matthew Baxter (60) was the foundation of the innings.

Newcomers Scholes dropped to second place after a seven-wicket defeat against Baildon and are now eight points behind Morley.