Bradford League title race to the wire as Woodlands win big

Bilal hit 13 sixes and four fours as he powered Woodlands to a total of 345-4 in their 141-run win over relegation-threatened Morley, but Townville are just eight points behind after defeating third place New Farnley by 131 runs.

In this coming Saturday's final matches, Woodlands face a tough trip to New Farnley while Townville are away to bottom side Batley.

Bilal's century beat the previous Bradford League record of 39 balls, which was set by the Jer Lane batsman Farakh Hussain at Hopton Mills last month.

Despite still being hampered by the ankle ligament injury he sustained in his side's Heavy Woollen Cup final defeat by New Farnley two weeks ago, Bilal quite literally stood and delivered.

He put on an unbeaten 130 for the fifth wicket with skipper Cieran Garner (51 not out) to capitalise on the earlier good work of Tim Jackson (61) and Liam Collins (83).

After such a hammering it would have been easy for Morley to crumble, but they showed character to make 204-8 to pick up four valuable batting points which keep their hopes of avoiding the drop alive.

They also denied Woodlands what could prove to be a crucial bowling point.

Overseas player Kavindu Kulasekara (61) and Henry Rush (46) battled hard for Morley as off-spinner Kez Ahmed picked up 4-58.

Townville were aware that they needed to get maximum points from their match with New Farnley and they achieved that objective in fine style.

Harry Warwick led them to a challenging total of 298-8 with a fine knock of 112, then like so many sides this season, New Farnley faltered against the seam bowling of Conor Harvey (5-58) and the spin of Hughes (5-35) as they were bundled out for just 167.

Nick Connolly marked his last home appearance in style by making an unbeaten 130 as Hanging Heaton won their derby clash with Batley by 78 runs.

Connolly hit 20 fours on an emotional day as Gary Fellows and Joe Fraser also played their last games at Bennett Lane.

On a day when the runs flowed, Pudsey St Lawrence opener Mark Robertshaw made 104 as his side defeated Cleckheaton by 83 runs. Harvey Booth (4-50) was the best of the Cleckheaton bowlers.

Sri Lankan Charitha Kumarasinghe (89) and Kris Ward (65) shared 143 for Cleck's third wicket before a dramatic collapse saw the last eight wickets fall for just 21 runs.

The seven bonus points Cleckheaton earned mean they are now safe from relegation.

The same cannot be said for Wrenthorpe after their 10-wicket defeat at Farsley.

They need four points from their final match at home to Hanging Heaton to ensure that neither Morley - who play Cleckheaton next Saturday - nor Batley who are at home to title chasing Townville, can catch them.

There were 614 runs scored at Wagon Lane where Bradford & Bingley defeated visitors Methley by 32 runs.

The highlight of the game was a splendid 103 not out from the home captain Ed Brown.

His innings contained two sixes and 14 fours and was backed up by positive contributions from Kyme Tahirkheli (70) and Riecko Parker-Cole (50).

Methley gave us as good as they got in an impressive chase, but paceman Jack Hartley (3-40) ensured that Bradford & Bingley prevailed.

Ossett's players had reason to celebrate after clinching promotion to the Premier Division with a comfortable six-wicket win over Keighley in Division One.

Marcus Walmsley took 6-24 as they bowled out Keighley for 66 before knocking off the runs with four wickets down.

It means they now need seven points from their last two games to be crowned champions.

Second place Bankfoot were made to fight hard for their three-run win over Gomersal, which leaves them requiring 20 points from their final two fixtures to clinch promotion.

Skipper James Lee (71), Hisan Ahman (49) and Danny Colehan (46) got Bankfoot off to a good start, but nine wickets fell for 39 and a final total of 213 looked under par.

Gomersal faltered in the closing overs of their chase though, and finished on 210-9, with Usman Shakir taking 3-45.

Birstall kept their promotion hopes alive with a 78-run win over Baildon.

They powered their way to a total of 297 despite the efforts of Dwayne Heke (3-66) and Simon Bailey (3-79), with Baildon restricted to 219-9, as Reynolds brothers Chris (44) and Jonny (43) top scored for the Jenny Lane side.

Pudsey Congs could still force their way into the promotion positions after putting a big dent in Carlton's hopes with an eight wicket win.

Hartshead Moor kept alive their hopes of avoiding relegation after forcing a tie at East Bierley.

East Bierley were hot favourites to win when they needed 16 from the final five overs to overhaul the Hartshead Moor total of 273-7, but they could not do it, despite Alex Midgley making an unbeaten 40 to add to Ben Walter's earlier 85.

Hartshead Moor are now level on points with Lightcliffe and just four behind Keighley as the battle for relegation is set for a nail-biting conclusion.

Fifteen-year-old Tom Burton made his highest Bradford League score of 89 but it wasn't enough to spare Lightcliffe from a 25-run defeat against Undercliffe.

Zeeshan Qasim (4-41) and Mohammad Nazim (3-41) ensured Undercliffe defended their total of 195.

The battle for the promotion places is no closer to resolution as the Division Two campaign enters its final two weeks.

Jer Lane continue to lead the way but Hopton Mills, East Ardsley, Northowram Fields and Bowling Old Lane all remain in the scramble for a top-two spot.

Jer Lane skipper Raqeeb Younis made an unbeaten 65 as his side romped to a win by eight wickets in their derby clash with Buttershaw St Paul's.

Aezaz Dar (5-35) and Mohammed Jamal (5-25) had done the damage as Buttershaw were dismissed for 121.

Second place Hopton Mills, 20 points behind Jer Lane, showed little mercy for rock bottom Spen Victoria as they piled up a massive 461-5 declared.

Relegated Spen's afternoon to forget was complete when they collapsed to 67 all out, meaning Mills sealed a mammoth 394-run win.

East Ardsley continued their promotion charge with a 27-run win over Northowram Fields. They are now 12 points behind Hopton Mills but have played a game less.

Bowling Old Lane, who also have a game in hand, are a further nine points back after defeating relegated Scholes by 72 runs.

Farham Hussain (48) and Ahsan Alishan (44) helped Old Lane counter the threat of Ali Rafiq (5-33) as they made 208.

The wily Gurdev Singh (6-39) and Alishan (3-38) led the way as Scholes were dismissed for 136.

Zaeem Zulfqar (5-19) and Syed Bukhari (4-35) bowled out Sandal to 139 to secure a 36-run win for Wakefield St Michael's.

Hunslet Nelson's good form in the second half of the season continued as they defeated Yeadon by 46 runs.

Division Three leaders Great Preston have had their lead cut to four points with two games to go after they suffered a surprise 30-run defeat against Heckmondwike and Carlinghow while their two closest challengers both won.

Crossflatts had a comfortable six-wicket victory over Altofts while Brighouse defeated East Leeds by 107 runs. It means Great Preston now have 286 points, Crossflatts 282 and Brighouse 268.

With Great Preston due to host Crossflatts on the final day of the season, Brighouse are ideally placed to pounce and snatch a promotion place.

Crossflatts were indebted to Joe Hicks for their victory. He took 5-13 and followed up with 42 not out as the Altofts score of 122 was overhauled.

Hicks was backed up by Wasim Hussain (4-18) as Altofts suffered a stunning collapse which saw their last eight wickets fall for just six runs.

Abdullah Ijaz made 56 as Brighouse scored 223 before bowling out East Leeds for 116 to seal a seven-run win.

Parvaise Khan (3-20) and Ijaz (3-26) sealed victory for Brighouse,

Crossbank Methodists edged home by one wicket with five balls to spare in a nail-biting finish at Rodley, while Adwalton cruised to a nine-wicket win over Windhill & Daisy Hill.

Umar Faroq's unbeaten 64 and 42 from Wasim Nazir couldn't save Liversedge from a 40-run defeat against Gildersome & Farnley Hill.