NICK Johnson wants his New Farnley team to carry on winning after securing their first major trophy

He doesn’t believe that The All Rounder Cricket Bradford Premier League title battle is a two-horse race.

And now he is challenging his side to extend their current league run of six wins in their last seven games – the other one was abandoned – and put pressure on the teams above them.

New Farnley are currently fourth on 195 points and are headed by Hanging Heaton (232), Pudsey St Lawrence (212) and Farsley (198).

They go into tomorrow’s home game with Bradford & Bingley 37 points behind the leaders with six games to go. Johnson, who has played all of his cricket with the club and had the honour of lifting the Heavy Woollen Cup last Sunday in his first season at the helm, said: “We have to keep chipping away.

“We want to close the gap and who knows what will happen? We have to play Hanging Heaton in our final game at home. What a game that could be!”

This is Johnson’s 20th year with New Farnley and he believes they have never played better than in the 121-run win over Hoylandswaine.

He said: “To score 341-4 was amazing. James Middlebrook, Mark Lawson and Lee Goddard provided the platform for Nick Walker to launch a late assault.

“Nick was given great support by Richard Atkins. He kept feeding him the strike and made a really good 47 not out.

“I was surprised that Richard wasn’t mentioned for man of the match as he also got their first three batsmen out.

“I think the performance showed how we have come together as a team. We have learned how to win and everybody has contributed at some point in the season.

“It is an honour for me to be captain of this team. This is a super club and winning the trophy means so much to all the people who have done so much to get us to where we are today.”

The focus tomorrow is very much on matters at the bottom of the league.

New Farnley’s opponents Bradford & Bingley are one of six teams fighting to avoid relegation and there are some key games involving those sides.

Second-bottom Pudsey Congs face a tough home game against leaders Hanging Heaton, while Morley are away to third-placed Farsley.

Lightcliffe, who have been dragged into the battle, visit Pudsey St Lawrence, who have surrendered their lead in the title race after four defeats in five games.

East Bierley and Scholes, who beat Woodlands and Pudsey Congs respectively last week, meet at South View Drive.

Woodlands face Cleckheaton at Albert Terrace. The home side have lost their last two games and will be anxious to avoid another loss.