PUDSEY St Lawrence’s 11-match unbeaten record is over but their first defeat of the season did not prove costly.

The Division One leaders went down at home to East Bierley by seven wickets, but they still enjoy a 24-point lead at the top of the table because nearest challengers Woodlands lost at New Farnley by 78 runs.

Batting is St Lawrence’s strength but on this occasion they were bowled out for 179, with only skipper James Smith (46) and wicket keeper Matthew Duce (41) doing themselves justice. Awais Ejaz (4-19) and Haziq Tareen (3-50) did the damage. The result was never in doubt after openers James Ford (69) and Mark Gill (57) put on 86 for the first wicket.

James Middlebrook played a significant part in New Farnley’s win over Woodlands. The former Essex and Northamptonshire all-rounder, who has been playing for Yorkshire this season, scored his second successive century – 120 not out – as he shared a first-wicket stand of 118 with Matthew Good (53) in New Farnley’s imposing 274-5.

It proved to be too many for Woodlands, who were bowled out for 196, of which opener Sam Frankland made 87 not out, as off spinner Middlebrook completed a fine all-round performance with 3-46, while his fellow spinner Dave McCallum took 5-51.

Third-placed Hanging Heaton beat bottom club Saltaire by five wickets after bowling them out for 144. Fast bowler David Stiff (5-28) and Ian Philliskirk (3-40) were Hanging Heaton’s main wicket-takers before in-form opener Nick Connolly made 39 as they eased to victory in 33 overs.

Defending champions Cleckheaton were comfortable winners at home to Bradford & Bingley. Former Yorkshire and Scotland pace bowler Iain Wardlaw took 3-51 and overseas leg-spinner Tanzeel Altaf 3-55 as Bingley were bowled out for 190. Scott Etherington (45) and David Clow (37) were their top scorers. Mally Nicholson made 50 as Cleckheaton reached their target with 13.5 overs to spare.

Farsley climbed out of the bottom two with a seven-wicket win at Lightcliffe, who replaced them in the relegation positions.

Skipper Mark Harrison followed up his six-wicket haul in the previous week’s win at New Farnley with 5-48 as Lightcliffe made 193-9. A second-wicket stand of 113 between opener Jack Holland (64) and Yorkshire second-team wicketkeeper Dan Hodgson (82no) enabled Farsley to reach their target with 20.5 overs to spare.

Before today's fixtures, leaders Morley were 29 points clear in Division Two after their 47-run win at Keighley. Skipper Matthew Baxter and overseas player Kashif Naveed both scored 47 in Morley’s total of 243-7. Off-spinner David Nebard (4-55), Ben Jenkinson (3-33) and Naveed (3-52) then shared the wickets as Keighley were bowled out for 207, of which Sam Murphy made 62.

Scholes were 16 points clear in second place, despite a 17-run defeat at Yeadon for whom James Todd made 100 not out in their total of 224-6. Altaf Mohammed then produced a match-winning spell of 6-49 as Scholes were bowled out for 207, of which Kasir Maroof made 84.