Champions Woodlands delivered the first telling blow of the Division One Bradford League title race – as they maintained their Indian sign over big title rivals Pudsey Congs at the Britannia Ground.

Having won the toss, Woodlands, seeking a fourth title success, put Congs – unable to field new overseas bowler Mohammad Naved – into bat.

The hosts mustered 165-7 with Sarfraz Ahmed (3-26) applying the brakes, skipper Matthew Doidge top-scoring with 35.

In reply, Woodlands held their nerve to reach 166-7 with 11 balls left, with man-of-the-match Tim Orrell (40) sharing in a crucial fifth-wicket stand with Tosh Baker (31).

Woodlands secretary Brian Pearson said: "From our point of view, we were pleased, it was a good, professional performance.

"I suppose we could have laid a bit of a marker and it's nice to beat them. We've got on top against them four times out of the last five now.

"There's a decent camaraderie between the teams and one of their lads said they were a bowler short and they probably were.

"We had a big over when we scored about 14. Tim (Orrell) hit a straight six and four in consecutive balls and gave us the injection we needed and we ended up winning with 11 balls left."

Ex-Spen Victoria all-rounder Chris Elstub endeared himself to the East Bierley faithful with super figures of 5-16 as his new side beat Pudsey St Lawrence.

Saints were all out for 101, mainly thanks to Elstub, who then hit a tidy 32 not out as Bierley recovered from 44-5 to reach 106-5.

He shared in an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 57 with Andrew Rennison (27no).