Hungry Davy helps B&B have Cleckheaton for breakfast

Cleckheaton’s new signings Toby Booth (70) and Kris Ward (60) both scored half centuries for the second week in a row, but their efforts were not enough to prevent a second defeat, as Ed Brown picked up 3-33 for Bradford & Bingley.

But it was New Farnley and Pudsey St Lawrence who recorded comfortable wins to share the early lead of that section.

The Saints romped to an eight-wicket victory over Morley while New Farnley bowled out Wrenthorpe for just 85 on their way to a nine-wicket success in their Inter-Divisional fixture.

Young spin bowlers played key roles in the triumphs for the joint leaders. Archie Scott (5-31) and Jude Roberts (3-26) sparked a dramatic Morley collapse which saw them slump from 120-2 to 153 all out, while off spinner Lewis Lomax starred with 5-20 as New Farnley skittled out Wrenthorpe.

Opener Mark Robertshaw (69no), Chris Marsden (43) and Barrie Frankland (40no) ensured St Lawrence bagged a maximum 20 points against Morley, whose only bright spot was the innings of 49 from Oliver Halliday.

New Farnley were guided to their meagre victory target by Steve Bullen. He made an unbeaten 51, his second half century in successive games.

Batley produced the performance of the day to defeat Townville by four wickets with two balls to spare as they took the early lead of the East Section.

Mohammed Bhoola took 10 runs from the first four balls of the final over from on-loan Muhammad Bilal to crown a rousing recovery from 76-5 to overhaul Townville’s 200-8.

Bhoola (48no), Imran Mahboob (44) and Adnan Mahmood (37no) were the men who turned the game in Batley’s favour.

Townville opener Jonny Booth continued his sparkling start to the season with 62 when Townville batted first, while Bilal made 40.

New signing Sam Drury impressed as Hanging Heaton moved into second place in the section after romping home by eight wickets against Methley. Drury took 4-19 as Methley were restricted to 145-9 and followed up with an impressive 83. Jason Marshall (44) was Methley’s top scorer.

The Division One League Cup was the place for close finishes, with Pudsey Congs and Baildon both winning by one wicket with one ball to spare.

Congs have now won both their opening games by one wicket and are the early leaders of the West Section with 33 points.

Last man Jamie Allen scrambled a single to edge his side past Bankfoot’s total of 132 all out. Congs’ hopes of victory were under threat when they slipped to 13-3, but an unbeaten 28 from Ryan Heptinstall proved vital in staving off the threat of Jawad Waheed (3-26) and Hamza Iqbal (3-26).

Bankfoot’s innings had again been dominated by captain James Lee. He carried his bat for an…