The bowling performance of the season so far in the Bradford Central League came in the First Division match at Apperley Bridge yesterday.

Waqas Ahmed, for the home side, returned the remarkable figures of 9-6-6-7, including four wickets in four balls, against basement boys Greenfield, who were shot out for just 41.

Bridge duly knocked off the required runs for the loss of four wickets.

Allerton (197-4) opened up a six-point lead at the top after a six-wicket win at Thornbury, where the home side had reached 194 at tea with Kamran Ali hitting 63.

In reply, Ian Robson (41), aided by an unbeaten 65 from Dale Fawcett, helped the visitors reach their target without undue concern.

Norwood Green (133-1) made it three wins out of the last four games when they recorded a comprehensive nine-wicket victory at home to Great Horton Church (128, Zafar Jadoon 5-32, Safir Hussain 4-29).

Then Sajad Khan hammered an unbeaten 99 for the home side, who won in rapid fashion.

Second Division leaders Salem Athletic (263, Mohammed Zaid 78) maintained their ten-point advantage after an 81-run win at Girlington (182).

Allerton (237, Mesum Nisar 87, Saeed Ahmed 6-68) kept their impressive run going to maintain second spot with a 92-run home win over Thornbury (145).

In the final fixture, Norwood Green (151) moved into third place with a 58-run win at Great Horton Church, who were dismissed for just 93.