PUDSEY St Lawrence are the new leaders of JCT600 Bradford League Division One after defeating New Farnley by five wickets on a day when only two top-flight matches were completed as rain again caused widespread disruption.

They now head the table by five points from Bradford & Bingley with East Bierley a further four points back in third after beating Hanging Heaton by 23 runs in the only other fixture to reach a positive outcome.

Leg spinner Tom Hudson was the architect of Pudsey St Lawrence’s victory. He took 6-37 as New Farnley subsided from 156-4 to 190 all out.

The collapse followed the dismissal of Yorkshire wicketkeeper Andrew Hodd for a lively 72 on his debut. Hodd struck one six and ten fours.

St Lawrence were guided to their victory target by opener Adam Waite. Just six days after completing the London Marathon, he went the distance again to finish unbeaten on 69. Wicketkeeper Matthew Duce (33) chipped in with a valuable contribution.

East Bierley were also indebted to their spin bowlers as they recorded their first win of the season. Left-arm spinner Luke Jarvis took 5-31 and new overseas player Haziq Tareen (3-41) as Hanging Heaton were bowled out for 191 in reply to the home side’s 214-6 in a game reduced to 40 overs a side.

Hanging Heaton were given a brisk start by former Yorkshire all-rounder Gary Fellows. He made 63 but once he was out the innings went into decline as wickets were lost in the pursuit of quick runs in the gathering gloom.

East Bierley had built their score on the sound foundations given to them by openers James Ford (47) and Mark Gill (36) during a first-wicket stand of 86.

The innings was given further impetus by Richard Atkins (43), Neil Gill (43no) and Danish Hussain (35) as left-arm spinner Ben Elvidge (4-56) again proved to be the best Hanging Heaton bowler.

Champions Cleckheaton looked to be batting themselves into a strong position before the weather halted their clash with Lightcliffe. Opener Tim Jackson followed up his century against Pudsey Congs with an unbeaten 69 from a total of 145-2.

Woodlands saw a winning position disappear down the drain against newly-promoted Saltaire. Skipper Pieter Swanepoel took 4-33 and Chris Brice (3-18) as the visitors were bowled out for 108, but the weather prevented Woodlands from replying.

Previous leaders Bradford & Bingley managed just 5.3 overs against Undercliffe, who were 23-1 when rain stopped play and there was just one over possible at Farsley.