WOODLANDS have a commanding 41-point lead at the top of the Bradford Premier League top flight at the halfway point in the season.

They recorded their eighth win in 11 outings when they defeated in-form Farsley by seven wickets at Albert Terrace.

The unbeaten leaders bowled out their opponents for 166 with Kiwi Brad Schmulian (4-29) and Chris Brice (3-30) doing much of the damage with their spin bowling.

Opener Pat Kruger (51) was the only Farsley batsman to make a real impression after the visitors opted to bat first.

Woodlands found the going easier when they batted. An opening stand between Tim Jackson (58no) and Sam Frankland (38) was built on by Schmulian (38) as they eased to their victory target with 8.2 overs to spare.

Cleckheaton produced the surprise of the day as they defeated Hanging Heaton by two runs at Bennett Lane.

Their match winner was all-rounder Nick Walker who top scored with 72 not out in Cleckheaton’s total of 247-9 and then took 5-85 as Hanging Heaton were bowled out for 245.

Opener Azeem Rafiq (48) was the other main contributor for Cleckheaton, while Callum Geldart (61), Joe Fraser (46) and Ben Kohler-Cadmore (33) narrowly failed in their bid to propel Hanging Heaton to victory. Left-arm spinner Andrew Deegan (3-24) gave Walker crucial support.

The result enabled Pudsey St Lawrence to climb above Hanging Heaton into second place after their four-wicket win in a low-scoring encounter at Lightcliffe.

Young leg-spinner Archie Scott produced his best Premier Division figures of 7-21 as Lightcliffe collapsed from 50-0 to 93 all out. Opener Josh Wheatley (34) was their top scorer.

St Lawrence were made to work hard for their win and lost six wickets chasing Lightcliffe’s lowly total. Wheatley took 3-33 with his off-spin.

Bradford & Bingley moved level on 126 points with Hanging Heaton but go above them into third place by virtue of having more wins.

Kyme Tahirkeli impressed as the Wagon Lane side cruised to a seven-wicket win over struggling Wrenthorpe.

Spinners Tahirkeli (4-29) and Bradley Reeve (3-49) took the bowling plaudits as Wrenthorpe were dismissed for 153.

Tahirkeli helped guide Bradford & Bingley to their target with an unbeaten 56 after openers Callam Goldthorp (37) and Harry Brook (33) had provided a sound start.

Undercliffe and Methley remain in the relegation positions after both suffered defeats. Undercliffe went down by 126 runs against Townville, while Methley lost by 35 runs at New Farnley.

Undercliffe had no answer to the Townville spin duo of Harry Clewett (6-25) and Jack Hughes (4-4) as they were dismissed for just 63.

Overseas player Imran Rafique’s unbeaten 83 was the highlight of Townville’s 189-6 which also included 44 from skipper Hughes. Overseas player Khalid Usman (3-60) was the best of the Undercliffe bowlers.

New signing Charlie Parker (5-31) and spinner Luke Jarvis (3-31) helped their side defend a modest score of 135 as Methley were bowled out for 100.

It looked as if New Farnley would regret their decision to bat first when Marcus Walmsley (5-41) posed problems, but their bowlers saved the day.

The result leaves Methley without a win in their first 11 games and 18 points adrift at the bottom.