* Click here to sign up to free news and sport alerts from Pudsey Today.

Bairstow's heroics helped Congs – who finished just two points adrift of Woodlands in the league – to sink their arch-rivals on Sunday and claim their fifth Priestley Cup success in seven years – and their third in five seasons against the men from Oakenshaw.

* Click here for latest news in Pudsey & Stanningley.

* Click here to make Pudsey Today your friend on Facebook.

Congs were in trouble at 19-3 when left-hander Bairstow came to the crease, but he soon took centre stage to score a captivating 121 – the fifth highest score made in the final – which featured six sixes and 12 fours.

Bairstow shared in a 98-run sixth-wicket stand with Glenn Roberts (55) as Congs posted an impressive 232-7 – with Middlebrook feeling 180 would have been decent in the conditions.

In reply, Congs were in control thanks to Mohammad Naved (2-27) – who will return to the club next year – and Jeremy Batty (3-29) as
Woodlands fell short at 181 all out despite determined knocks from skipper Tim Orrell (52) and Tosh Baker (39).

Middlebrook said: "It was a privilege to see Andrew Bairstow's innings. It was an outstanding innings, especially as we were 19-3 when he came in.

"Pieter Swanepoel and Sarfraz (Ahmed) bowled beautifully at the start with the pitch still a bit damp. But Andrew came in and hit his first ball for six, which was staggering.

"By the time we had reached 140, Andrew had scored 89 with 25 extras on our card.

"The rest of the batsmen had only managed 26 between them. Andrew put on 60 with Matthew Doidge, who only scored two in that partnership and it was a tremendous innings.

"The crowd and the Woodlands players clapped him off the middle when he was finally out."

"It was a splendid final. There was intense rivalry, but no rancour and that's how it should be. The game was played in the best possible spirit."

Woodlands were the ones beaming on Saturday with victory over Bowling Old Lane – whose relegation was confirmed in the process – seeing them lift the Division One title for the fourth successive year.

Old Lane were dismissed for just 73 – Baker bagging 3-17 – and Woodlands replied with 75-4 to collect 15 points and the silverware.
Congs (211-7) did their bit by beating Cleckheaton (122) by 89 runs to pocket 19 points – but it wasn't enough.

Overseas man Naved took a brilliant 8-50, including the first six wickets.

Babar Butt had earlier hit a quickfire 59, well supported by Andrew Bourke (41) and skipper Doidge (45)

Middlebrook said: "The weather did interfere with things this year, but it would be churlish to just blame that because Woodlands beat us twice. But we showed our resilience to get back to within two points of them.

"I'm expecting a really good scrap next season in the league and we'll be back.

"One thing we do feel is that there were too many double weekends of league cricket.

"Next year, we'll use a squad system. It's difficult for some players being away from their young families from say 11.30am to 8pm on both Saturday and Sunday and we feel it's something the league should look at."