WRENTHORPE pulled off the biggest shock of the Bradford Premier League top-flight season as they defeated leaders Woodlands by 16 runs to boost their chances of avoiding relegation.

Their win came on a day which saw their fellow strugglers Undercliffe defeat rock-bottom Methley by three wickets and second-bottom Lightcliffe tie their game with New Farnley.

It means that Undercliffe now have 145 points, Wrenthorpe 141, Lightcliffe 128 and Methley 96 with six games left.

But if the day was good for three of the teams fighting for survival, it certainly wasn’t for the top trio.

Second-placed Bradford & Bingley went down by two wickets to Cleckheaton in a high-scoring encounter while Pudsey St Lawrence lost their derby clash with Farsley by 38 runs.

Woodlands have 220 points and lead Bradford & Bingley by 18 as well as having a game in hand. Pudsey St Lawrence are a further 24 points back.

The undoubted hero of Wrenthorpe’s win was their overseas player Khalil Khan. After top scoring with 55 in his side’s 160-9, Khan produced an economical 15 over spell of spin bowling that yielded just 19 runs and prevented the Woodlands batsmen from cutting loose.

Opener Sam Frankland (43) was their top scorer as they were bowled out for 144 to lose for only the second time this season.

Undercliffe opener Simon Lambert hit an unbeaten 106 to steer his side to victory at Methley. The left hander hit two sixes and 16 fours and held the innings together after a fiery opening burst from Methley skipper Jarred Warner saw him take 3-9.

Methley’s score of 174-7 was built around a knock of 63 from Jordan Laban and an unbroken eight-wicket stand of 75 between Sohail Raz (47no) and Sudara Udagedara (20no). Zeeshan Qasim (4-35) bowled well for Undercliffe.

There was a nail-biting finish at Lightcliffe where the home side needed 14 from the final over to overhaul a New Farnley score of 189-8 with two wickets in hand.

Despite the brave efforts of Rob Burton (35no) they finished on 189-9, but they did have the consolation of picking up 12 priceless points.

Once again, the Lightcliffe innings was dominated by overseas player Suleman Khan (48) who provided the launchpad for Burton’s late assault.

Alex Lilley (3-47) was the pick of the New Farnley bowlers, having earlier top scored with 37 not out in his side’s innings. Off spinner Josh Wheatley (4-69) had the most success for Lightcliffe.

In-form Cleckheaton dealt a body blow to Bradford & Bingley’s hopes of a first league title since 1998 as they chased down a score of 261-5 to win by two wickets.

Yorkshire batsman Tom Kohler-Cadmore blasted 79 runs off 44 balls to get Cleckheaton’s reply off to a flying start and he was backed up by Nick Lindley (73) and skipper Mally Nicholson (44) as they reached their target with 10 balls to spare.

The efforts of left-arm spinner Bradley Reeve (4-44) proved to be in vain on a day when young batsmen Dan Revis (58) and Kyme Tahirkeli (54), with assistance from Mohammad Afridi (43) and Ed Brown (38no), had helped Bradford & Bingley to a challenging total.

Farsley’s overseas player Pat Kruger top scored with 63 and took 5-32 as they defeated Pudsey St Lawrence at Tofts Road.

Kruger and opener Mark Harrison (38) showed good application as they helped the Red Laners to 188-7.

St Lawrence’s young batsmen Harry Cullingford (38) and Archie Scott (36) gave their side brief hope, but Farsley were in no mood to be denied the local bragging rights.

Townville warmed up for Sunday’s Solly Sports Heavy Woollen Cup final against Shepley with a confidence-boosting 64-run win over Hanging Heaton.

Even half-centuries from Joe Fraser (55) and David Stiff (54) couldn’t save Hanging Heaton from a fifth defeat in their last six league games.

Townville were powered to a total of 257-8 by Conor Harvey (60) and skipper Jack Hughes (39). Stiff was the best of the Hanging Heaton bowlers with 3-68.

Despite the efforts of Fraser and Stiff, plus 34 from Tom Chippendale, Hanging Heaton were all out for 193, with Harry Clewett (3-34) and Jack Hughes (3-41) taking the bowling honours.