Bradford League: Robertshaw runs return Saints to the top three

Hanging Heaton opener Nick Connolly guides the ball for a single. PIC: Steve Riding

Pudsey St Lawrence opener Mark Robertshaw put his run of low scores behind him to star in his side's comfortable win against Batley on Saturday.

Robertshaw plundered two sixes and 14 fours on his way to an impressive 133 as he helped his side to a total of 324-6in their 50 overs.

He was joined in a third-wicket stand of 156 by Barrie Frankland (70). There were also useful additions from Charlie Best (35) and Chris Marsden (32). Muhammad Shanawaz was the pick of the Batley bowlers with 4-63.

Batley were faced with a revised target of 279 from 40 overs and finished on 187-7. Mohammad Khan led the way with 86 as Josh Wilson (3-48) and Tom Hudson (3-21) ensured that St Lawrence secured the victory which took them back into third place.

Farsley bowler Chris Henry runs in. PIC: Steve Riding

Elsewhere, Townville recorded the first tie of the season against Cleckheaton after falling one short of victory under the Duckworth Lewis system. Batting first, Cleckheaton made 220-9 in their 50 overs with opener Nick Lindley making a superb 110, an innings containing five sixes and 11 fours.

Jack Hughes (4-35) and Conor Harvey (3-60) were the pick of the bowlers for Townville who were left with a difficult victory target of 177 from 36 overs. Hughes later top scored with 35 as Townville finished on 176-9 as Qaisar Ashraf (3-38) and Curtis Free (3-56) tried to force victory for Cleckheaton.

Woodlands suffered their second-successive defeat as they went down by six wickets to Bradford & Bingley in the third match decided by Duckworth Lewis. Paceman Jack Hartley caused problems for Woodlands as he took 6-85. Only a last-wicket stand of 61 between Elliot Richardson (39) and Jack McGahan (27no) enabled them to reach 165. Bradford & Bingley reached their revised target of 162 with one ball to spare thanks to Joe Greaves (43), Jack Edgar (39) and Gareth Phillips (31).