PUDSEY Congs scored a nail-biting eight-run win over Pudsey St Lawrence which gives them fresh hope in their battle to avoid relegation from the All Rounder Cricket Bradford Premier League Premier Division.

And on an afternoon when the battle at the bottom intensified, Cleckheaton climbed out of the bottom two with a convincing seven-wicket success over East Bierley.

It means that Batley, beaten by eight wickets by leaders Hanging Heaton, drop into the relegation places, but it is all very tight, with 15 points covering East Bierley in ninth and Congs, who are still bottom on 133 points.

Off-spinner Josh Wheatley was Congs' match-winner with 6-42 as they bowled out their neighbours for 153 to pick up a welcome 17 points.

Skipper Babar Butt had told his team to keep believing before the derby clash, and they clearly heeded his words.

Irfan Amjad, a batsman who seems to be blossoming in his second spell at the club, played another important innings of 56 as his side were dismissed for 161 when they batted first.

Left-armer Charlie Parker posed most problems as he picked up 5-43.

The St Lawrence top order failed to produce as Congs put them under pressure.

Tom Hudson was the one player who threatened to deny Congs victory with an innings of 37 before he was last man out, bowled by Josh Holling with seven balls remaining.

Left-arm spinner Andrew Deegan marked his return to the Cleckheaton side by taking 4-40 as they bowled out East Bierley for 173.

Opener Adal Islam (46), Adam Patel (35) and Shaaiq Choudary (31) were the main contributors to a score which Cleckheaton passed with 10.2 overs to spare.

Skipper John Wood led from the front with a top score of 63, and he received good support from his son Joe, who opened the innings and made 42.

Batley will want to forget their derby clash with Hanging Heaton.

They were bowled out for just 74 as left-arm spinner Muhammad Rameez weaved his magic again with 6-14.

The table-toppers raced to their target with the in-form Callum Geldart 45 not out when victory was achieved.

Second-placed Farsley returned to winning ways after last week's defeat by title rivals Hanging Heaton.

The Rams beat Bradford & Bingley by 92 runs at Red Lane.

South African opener James Price was in good touch and top scored with 69, while skipper Ryan Cooper made 47 against his old club in a total of 218.

Left-arm spinner Noman Ali was the pick of the Bradford & Bingley bowlers with 4-53.

Yorkshire's James Wainman produced another fine performance with the new ball and was rewarded with a return of 5-32 as Bradford & Bingley were all out for 126.

Spinner Adam Ahmed chipped in with 3-43, while Yassir Abbas (33) top- scored for the Wagon Lane outfit.

Woodlands opener Sam Frankland made a fine century in his side's 67-run win over Lightcliffe.

He struck four sixes and eight fours in his 101, which helped his side to 210.

The next highest scorer was his skipper and opening partner Tim Jackson (33), with young spinner Daanyaal Ahmed took 3-56 for Lightcliffe.

Inconsistent Lightcliffe were bowled out for 143, with opener Kasir Maroof getting 35 and Ian Philliskirk 30 as Kez Ahmed picked up 3-21 with his off-spin.

Townvlle climbed above Pudsey St Lawrence into fourth after Conor Harvey smashed 129 from 116 balls as they beat Priestley Cup finalists New Farnley by 73 runs.

Harvey blasted six sixes and 15 fours and helped his side to 205 all out when they batted first, left-arm spinner Luke Jarvis taking 4-40 for New Farnley.

Skipper Lee Goddard dominated the New Farnley reply, making an unbeaten 86, but he lacked support as his side were bowled out for 132.

The pick of the Townville bowlers was Barbadian Shkym Haynes with 3-33.