SKIPPER Pieter Swanepoel was in no doubt about the significance of second-placed Woodlands’ three-wicket home win over Hanging Heaton on the day that Bradford League Division One leaders Pudsey St Lawrence ended their three-match losing run by beating bottom club Saltaire.

Woodlands’ consistent form means they are Pudsey’s main challengers and Swanepoel said: “It was a huge win.

“We have just got to keep up with St Lawrence. I am happy we chased down a big score against a good side. Overall it as a great performance. Hanging Heaton needed to beat us. So, it was a big game for them as well and I am happy it ended in our favour.”

Hanging Heaton, who dropped from third to fourth place as a result of this defeat, were indebted to a fifth-wicket stand of 136 between skipper Gary Fellows, whose 106 – his second century in a row – contained nine fours and six sixes and wicket keeper Ishy Dawood (76) as they posted a challenging 259-7.

Woodlands were behind the run-rate for much of their innings, but a third-wicket stand of 92 between Logan Weston (51) and Scott Richardson (45) gave them a platform to launch their winning assault, inevitably led by Sarfraz Ahmed, who struck two sixes and five fours in his 38 while Swanepoel hit two sixes in a four-ball innings and Jordan Laban made a valuable 37 not out.

Needing 90 to win off the last ten overs, they reached their target with seven balls to spare.

The only down side for Woodlands was losing all-rounder Grant Soames with a recurrence of knee trouble.

St Lawrence, who increased their lead to eight points after taking a maximum haul from their 104-run home win over Saltaire, posted 244-8 with Mark Robertshaw and Chris Marsden both making 65 while Adam Waite scored 51. They then dismissed Saltaire for 140, with only Indian Landev Chauhan (54) showing much resistance.

Defending champions Cleckheaton moved into third place after beating relegation-threatened Farsley by three wickets. Skipper John Wood made 66 and opener Tim Jackson 63 as they chased down the visitors’ total of 234-8, of which Dan Hodgson made 70 and Greg Pickles 71.

Lightcliffe earned a welcome boost in their battle against relegation, beating Undercliffe at home by two wickets with two balls to spare after overhauling the visitors’ total of 187-6, with Suleman Khan leading the way with 58 not out.

New Farnley gained a six-wicket home win over East Bierley, off-spinner James Middlebrook taking 5-36 and skipper Mark Lawson 4-27 as Bierley were bowled out for 142. Former Bierley batsman Lee Goddard led the visitors home with 69 not out.

Opener Callum Geldart dominated Pudsey Congs’ innings at Bradford & Bingley, scoring 177 out of the visitors’ total of 283-9 and helping Congs to a 32-run win. Scott Etherington made 97 as Bingley replied with 251.