BRAD Schmulian proved his value to Woodlands once again as he guided the Bradford League Premier Division leaders to a seven-wicket win at Cleckheaton.

In a match that was reduced to 40 overs per side because of a wet field, the talented New Zealander produced another decisive performance.

After Schmulian (3-36) and fellow spinner Chris Brice (5-27) had restricted Cleckheaton to 138-9, Nick Lindley making 38, the Kiwi guided his side to their target with an unbeaten 66.

The win earned Woodlands 19 points and extends their lead at the top to three over Townville, who gained 17 points for a 21-run win at Bradford & Bingley.

Once again, the terrific Jack Hughes and Conor Harvey came to their side’s rescue from a perilous position.

Bradford & Bingley’s opening bowlers Jack Hartley (3-52) and Yasir Abbas (3-41) reduced Townville to 11-4 and 49-6, before skipper Hughes (57) and Harvey (43) led a recovery that enabled their side to reach 151.

Hughes (4-39) and Harvey (3-48) proved equally as effective with the ball as Bradford & Bingley, despite a battling 55 not out from Matthew Duce, were dismissed for 130.

Eitan Litvin and Jordan Laban both hit unbeaten centuries for Methley in their 76-run win over rock-bottom Batley, scoring 135 not out and 115 not out respectively in their side’s mammoth total of 316-1.

Batley made a spirited 240-6 in reply, but it was nowhere near enough.

New Farnley secured a 92-run victory against Farsley, while Pudsey St Lawrence pulled off a comfortable 48-run win on Duckworth Lewis Stern over Wrenthorpe.

Bankfoot emerged from a fog delay with a clearer vision of their promotion prospects with a thrilling five-wicket win over Undercliffe in Division One.

The gloomy light led to the contest being reduced to 42 overs per side and Bankfoot seized their chance to take second place away from Birstall, who had their game with leaders Ossett called off because of Covid-19 precautions.

Hamzah Iqbal was their match winner with an unbeaten 95 as Undercliffe’s total of 226-5 was chased down with two overs to spare. Overseas player Azeem Ghumman also underlined his value to the team with 45.

Defeat was hard on Undercliffe opener Ollie Hardaker. He struck eight sixes and nine fours while making an impressive 130.

At the other end of the table, Keighley lifted themselves out of the bottom two with a 38-run win over Gomersal, their third victory of the season.

Paul Quinlan continued his outstanding form by making 72 and taking 3-56. Ryan Ridehalgh (44) was the other main run scorer in Keighley’s 238-8.

Young Dillon Birkett took 4-50 to help dismiss Gomersal for 200 in their reply.

Hartshead Moor have dropped into the relegation places following their 60-run defeat at Carlton.

Elsewhere, Sri Lankan Pramud Hettiwatte is proving a fine capture for Pudsey Congs. He hit a stunning 142, an innings laced with one six and 20 fours, as Congs made 273-8 in their 53-run win over Baildon.

Kevin McDermott (3-65) proved to be the most successful Baildon bowler on a chastening afternoon for the Bradford side.

Jer Lane have retaken the leadership of Division Two, after a six-wicket win at Yeadon enabled them to take advantage of the clash between their promotion rivals Sandal and Buttershaw St Paul’s being called off due to Covid-19.

The home side collapsed to 36-6 and Andrew Robinson’s 36 only saw them to a total of 120. Ibrar Younis (3-37) and Cosmond Walters (3-4) were Jer Lane’s best bowlers.

Skipper Raqeeb Younis (37no) ensure there were no slip ups as he guided his side to their modest target.

Bowling Old Lane now occupy fourth place after a 112-run win over Wakefield St Michael’s, which was sealed by Mohammed Yasir taking 5-16 as the home side were bowled out for 111.

Adam Zahid’s late onslaught, which saw him hit seven sixes while making an unbeaten 53 from just 21 balls, boosted Old Lane’s score to 223-9, and Wakefield got nowhere near in reply.

Northowram Fields edged home by two wickets against Hopton Mills, while Hunslet Nelson defeated Spen Victoria by 157 runs in the basement battle.

The result moves Nelson to within one point of Scholes, who suffered a five-wicket defeat against East Ardsley.

Josh Brooksbank and Mohammad Shahnawaz have been key figures in Crossflatts’ charge to the top of Division Three and they were in top form in their side’s latest win, a big one over Gildersome & Farnley Hill.

Opener Brooksbank made an unbeaten 97, while Shahnawaz smashed a rapid 58 from just 31 balls as Crossflatts made 255-8.

Shahnawaz followed up his batting exploits by taking 5-41 as he and Mayank Singh (5-32) combined to bowl out Gildersome & Farnley Hill for 74.

Brighouse returned to winning ways with a 130-run win over Windhill & Daisy Hill, which enabled them to regain second place from Great Preston, who had their game with Altofts called off due to Covid-19.

Matthew Gibson took 6-14 as Liversedge bowled out East Leeds for 96 to complete a 27-run win.

Rodley remain bottom but are just one point behind Windhill & Daisy Hill despite going down to a three-wicket defeat against Adwalton.

Finally, Mohammed Shah hit a fine 108 as Crossbank Methodists scored 261-7 in their 72-run win over Heckmondwike & Carlinghow.