BRADFORD Veterans' second team were involved in a thrilling Yorkshire League clash with promotion rivals Wakefield and the outcome left the top two places in Division Two up for grabs.

Wakefield, Bradford and York Seconds are vying for those spots and a win for Bradford would have put them in a strong position, yet the visitors proved a tough nut to crack and the 5-5 result was about right.

Richard Aitken won his opening two singles for Bradford, with his victory over Ray Hurst at 11-9 in the fifth being the highlight.

Bradford led 4-3 following a doubles win for Aitken and Faz Hussain, together with Paul McKrieth beating Wakefield No 3 John Race.

Aitken then faced Stuart Sykes, who had won his two singles, and at 2-0 up Aitken was on course for a treble – but Sykes is a skilful and clever opponent and he took the next three for victory to level the match at 4-4.

Hurst edged Wakefield 5-4 ahead by defeating McKrieth but Hussain won the final singles for a draw, leaving Bradford on seven points from five matches.

Wakefield have six points from four games, while York are unbeaten with six points from three and are now favourites.

Bradford face Harrogate in their final fixture next month and a win will see them on nine points – and with Wakefield still to play against York and Keighley, that total could be enough for a top-two place.

In the Bradford League, Stephen Denny produced a fine individual performance for Fastbats A as they shared the Division One points from a 5-5 draw at Hermits A.

Fastbats hit back from 4-2 down as Denny won all three. Tony McGowan was successful against Matthew Stephens and he joined Denny to take the doubles against Sam Clayton and Matthew Shaw.

RESULTS – Division One: Embassy Police A 8 Dewsbury Tog A 2, Hermits A 5 Fastbats A 5. Division Two: Unity A 2 Pudsey A 8, Fastbats B 4 Hermits E 6, Hermits D 6 Unity A 4. Division Three: Baildon A 8 Pudsey B 2, Rastrick 9 Hermits H 1, Hermits I 7 Unity B 3. Division Four: Hermits M 1 Baildon C 9, Thornbury 10 Hermits M 0.

Tony Theobould Trophy, second round: Pudsey B 304 Rastrick 353, Hermits K 594 Baildon D 622, Pudsey A 464 Thornbury 525.