Apperley Bridge up to second as leaders crash (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Apperley Bridge up to second as leaders crash

8:00pm Sunday 5th August 2012 in General By Sports Desk

There was as a surprise in store for Dales Council League Division A leaders Leeds Sikh as they lost at in-form Halifax Direct.

Halifax, who had won their last three matches, hit 175 and this total proved far too many for the visitors, who were bowled out for just 106.

Sikh’s closest rivals New Wortley (124, Owais Khan 5-43) were thwarted by visitors Hawksworth , who finished at 110-7 in a rain-affected game in north Leeds.

Apperley Bridge (204) took the opportunity to move into second place after their 59-run win over bottom side Crompark, who replied with 145-8.

The victory sets up a crucial match with leaders Leeds Sikh this coming weekend.

Fourth-placed Hyde Park (178-2, Naveed Ahmed 64no, Basherat Zaman 64) cruised to an eight-wicket win at Baildon (174), where James Butterfield had hit 67 for the home side earlier in the day.

In the local derby at Shipley Providence, visitors Hepworth & Idle recorded a welcome three- wicket win.

Batting first, Prov reached 154 (Humare Amjad 55, Mark Saunders 4-23) before in-form Anthony Heaton hit 56 to guide the visitors to 160-7 and maximum points.

In the highly competitive Division B, it’s all change again at the top.

Tong Manor regained the leadership after their win at Hepworth & Idle. Tong reached an impressive 275-4, with Gareth Kitchen hitting an unbeaten 129 and new signing Dave Sewards making 63.

In reply, the home side were dismissed for 153.

Previous leaders Apperley Bridge B (153, Ray Kerfoot 5-51) suffered a shock three-wicket defeat at Cookridge (155-7).

In the battle between high-fliers Farnley Hill and Meanwood, the result went the way of home side Farnley who, despite making only 130, dismissed their visitors for a meagre 60. Gary Eckhard returned 6-35 to keep the Tong-based side well in touch with the top two.

It’s as you were in Division C, with both leaders Tong Park Esholt (70-6) recording a four- wicket win over Saville Stars B (69) and second-placed Undercliffe (82-3) also successful with a seven-wicket success over Farsley (78).

In Division D, evergreen Barry Foster (5-16) was highly instrumental for bottom side Baildon C in tumbling out Shipley Providence for just 70.

In reply, Baildon cruised home by nine wickets to record a rare victory.