Illingworth climb to second with derby win

Dan Murfet and Ben Clarke star for the home side

Illingworth drew blood in the first of their three derby encounters with near neighbours Bradshaw with a convincing home win which takes them into second place just one point behind leaders Great Horton.

Put into bat Illingworth got off to a confident start with Calum Cook(26) and Stephen Cook (37) paving the way and at 100-2 off 20 overs looked to be heading for a challenging total. The introduction of Simon Collins into the visitors attack brought immediate rewards as the home side stuttered to 131-5.

Despite losing regular wickets, home skipper Ben Robertshaw (24) helped put on 46 with Dan Murfet for the 6th wicket and Murfet continued to hold the Illingworth innings together. The Australian finally fell on the last ball of the innings, just three short of his second century of the season with the score on 227-9.

In reply, Bradshaw got off to the worst of possible starts with Illingworth's Ben Clarke, in his first season of 1st XI cricket, picking up four wickets in his first six overs. When Luke Brooksby removed danger man Collins with a near unplayable delivery smartly caught by keeper Sewell, the visitors were almost down and out at 30-6.

Veteran Andy Ingham(32) and an undefeated 68 from Mohammed Yousaf restored respectability with a stand of 102 for the seventh wicket, but the return of Clarke denied the visitors a second batting point and added to his side's bowling points to finish with 6-34 and Bradshaw still 91 runs short of the target. Clarke was ably assisted was an outstanding acrobatic catch from Matthew Smith at square leg.

Next up, Illingworth have a top of the table clash away at leaders Great Horton.