NEW Farnley have a 26-point lead over Woodlands at the midway point of the Bradford Premier League Premier Division season after an emphatic 194-run win over Bradford & Bingley.

This victory enabled New Farnley to capitalise on the champions suffering a three-wicket defeat against Ossett.

Skipper Lee Goddard (118) hit his first century of the season as he and Aidan Langley (88) set the tone for a dominant New Farnley performance with an opening stand of 190. Goddard hit a six and 14 fours while Steve Bullen (55no) and Dan Hodgson (38) continued the good work as a daunting total of 351-6 was posted.

Bradford & Bingley were reduced to 35-5 in reply as Alex Lilley (3-16) struck early blows. Yasir Abbas counter attacked with 61 but his side were bowled out for 157.

Ossett dealt a blow to Woodlands’ hopes of a third successive league title when they pulled off a three-wicket win after chasing down a DLS target of 236 in 46 overs with six balls to spare.

Paul Malone was the man who got them over the line with an unbeaten 70 from 49 balls after skipper Nick Connolly set the ball rolling with 59 and Sajith Warnakulasuriya raised the tempo with 49 from 22 balls. Brad Schmulian took 3-36 and Kez Ahmed (3-57) but they could not save their side from defeat.

Half centuries from skipper Schmulian (67) and Sam Frankland (66) enabled Woodlands to make 251-8 after opting to bat first. James Wade (4-47) and Mattie Race (3-82) were the best of the Ossett bowlers.

Unbeaten centuries from Raza Hassan (102no) and Kasir Maroof (104no) saw Batley lift themselves off the bottom of the table with their second successive win.

Hassan hit five sixes and eight fours while Maroof’s innings contained four sixes and 12 fours as they shared an undefeated third wicket stand of 227.

Batley’s eight-wicket win means that Cleckheaton are now propping up the table and they will be concerned at the ease with which Batley overhauled their score of 225-9.

Third place Pudsey St Lawrence (262-4) inflicted a third straight defeat on Townville as they rounded off the first half of the season with a 151-run victory. Townville were dismissed for 111.

Hanging Heaton continued their climb away from the relegation zone with a 120-run victory over third bottom Bankfoot. Openers Nick Lindley (65) and Josh Wheatley (35) were backed up by Adam Patel (30) as the home side posted a score of 231-9.

Bankfoot were reduced to 42-6 and never recovered as they were dismissed for 111.

Even a half century on debut by Yorkshire wicketkeeper Harry Duke (53) could not save Farsley from a 114-run defeat to Methley (285-6). Chris Beech (35) was the only other batsman to make an impact as Cameron Sharp (4-50) helped bowl them out for 171.

Meanwhile in Division One, there is simply no stopping runaway Division One leaders Jer Lane. They have a maximum 200 points from their first 10 games are 37 clear of nearest challengers Carlton after a crushing 210-run win over Wrenthorpe.

They racked up the day’s highest score of 375-6 thanks to 127 from Deron Greaves.

Spinner Mohammad Jamal (5-64) continued his fine form as Jer Lane dismissed their rivals for 165.

Keighley dealt a blow to Undercliffe’s promotion ambitions as they cruised to a seven-wicket win.

Keighley were guided towards their victory target by Simon Bailey (41no) and Nathan Storton (31no).

Baildon opener Dwayne Heke hit 142, but could not save his side for a 12-run defeat against Pudsey Congs.

Heke struck six sixes and 17 fours as the Jenny Laners replied to a Congs score of 268-6, but their challenge faltered once the skipper became a victim of spinner Sam Wisniewski (6-53) who turned the game in the home side’s favour.

Carlton’s Daniel Ford hit his second century of the season as he helped his side secure an eight-wicket win over Birstall which enabled them to regain second place, as they chased down a total of 239-8.

East Bierley’s overseas player Nisar Ahmad (5-42) bowled them to a 56-run win over Morley.