THE rain played havoc with the Gordon Rigg Bradford Premier League Cup competitions, with just seven of the 20 matches being completed.

It meant that any slim chance Bradford & Bingley had of qualifying for the final from the Premier West Section has virtually disappeared.

There was just two overs of play in their game with section leaders Pudsey St Lawrence, during which time the Saints made 5-1. It means the gap between the pair remains at 28 points.

That no-result meant second-placed New Farnley were hoping to take the opportunity to close their 14-point gap to Pudsey St Lawrence.

Skipper Lee Goddard was going well on 73 not out as they reached 118-4, before rain brought an end to play after 27.3 overs of their match at Cleckheaton.

Cleck were already out of the running to qualify, with just one win to their name in the competition this season.

The no result means New Farnley have plenty of work to do in the final two fixtures if they are to top the section and reach the final.

But Townville were one of the teams to find a silver lining among the dark clouds that gathered over so many of the league’s grounds.

They completed the double over Hanging Heaton to take over the leadership of the Premier East Section from their rivals.

Townville put Hanging Heaton into bat and dismissed them for 127, with skipper Jack Hughes taking 4-11 with his left-arm spin. Only opener Nick Connolly (33) made an impression for the visitors.

Townville knocked off the runs with seven overs to spare thanks to an unbeaten 63 from Harry Warwick and 32 from Hughes.

With two games to go, Townville have 100 points and are 13 ahead of Hanging Heaton in the battle to qualify for the final against the West Section winners on September 19.

Methley dropped to the bottom of the East Section after losing to Wrenthorpe for the second time this season. This time the margin was six runs, after another close-fought encounter.

Wicketkeeper Sam Storr (52no), Arjun Ramkumar (46) and Jonathan Donnelly (36) helped Wrenthorpe make 196-8 despite the efforts of Robert Clegg (4-33).

Methley started well, with their 15-year-old opener Alex Cree (49) and Marcus Walmsley (38) setting a sound base.

Unfortunately, only Jonathan Read (42) could build on their work as Methley were dismissed for 190, with Ollie Kilburn finishing with 4-27.

During the innings, Methley batsman Jason Marshall was given out for obstructing the field. He was sent back by his partner when attempting a suicidal single to cover.

The ball was initially returned to the non-striker’s end, where the bowler then threw it towards the wicketkeeper.

As the ball was passing Marshall, he extended his arm that was not holding the bat and blocked the ball. After a consultation between the umpires the act was deemed to be wilful and he was given out.

The inter-divisional clash between the newly promoted clubs Batley and Morley fell victim to the rain after 28 overs had been bowled. Batley were 134-5 with Yasir Ali unbeaten on 45.

Pudsey Congs need just six points from their last two games to be guaranteed a place in the Division One final after beating Keighley by 49 runs to record their sixth straight West Section win.

They made 145-6 when they batted first, with Sabir Mahmood making 33 as they battled against some tight bowling from Paul Quinlan (4-28).

The home side found the going tough when they replied against the economical Congs attack. Only Raees Hussain (45) looked set, as Vinit Patel (3-14) and Ryan Heptinstall (3-11) kept up the pressure.

Congs now have 100 points and are 34 ahead of Bankfoot, who saw their hopes quite literally get washed away, as their game with Gomersal was abandoned with them on 58-2 after 20.1 overs.

Carlton had built a score of 166-8 at Birstall in the East Section after 33 overs when their match was abandoned. Jonathan Rudge hit 50 for them.

Section leaders East Bierley were again frustrated by the weather as their game with second-placed Ossett came to a halt with their opponents on 110-6. Joe Finnigan was unbeaten on 33 when the rain came.

Finally, Jer Lane need 11 points from their last two West Section games to secure their place alongside already-qualified Sandal in the Division Two final.

Their hopes of extending a five-match winning run were scuppered when their game with Buttershaw St Paul’s was abandoned with their rivals on the rack at 69-5.

Only 14 overs of play were possible at Scholes, where Bowling Old Lane made 43-2 before the weather brought an early end to proceedings.