Wins for Walsden, Barkisland and Tod

Gale took four wickets - including the prize scalp of Indian Chirag Khurana for 54 - as the visitors were dismissed for 158.

Gale’s brother Joe, opening the attack in the absence of Jamie Shackleton, had earlier sent back both openers cheaply.

Josh then opened the batting and hit 77 not out from 86 balls to wrap up success in 27 overs.

Illingworth lost by five wickets at Thackley in a game between two sides near the foot of Division Two in the Airedale and Wharfedale League.

After electing to bat on a hot day, they overcame the early loss of James Lawton and soon found themselves scoring quickly through in-form men Daniel Murfet and Matthew Smith.

The pair put on 76 in 12 overs before Smith was given out leg before for 33 to a ball that looked to be going over the stumps.

The momentum in the game swung when three more wickets fell in the next four overs, including that of Murfet (46) and it was left to Jamie Moorhouse (22) to bat with the lower order and get Illingworth up to a below par total of 154.

Moorhouse took three wickets and Luke Brooksby one to leave the Bradford side reeling on 50 for four but Jack Mills rode his luck and blasted six sixes and five fours in a 53-ball knock of 70 that took the game away from the visitors.

Lightcliffe were unable to repeat their earlier success over Bradford League leaders Hanging Heaton, losing to their hosts by nine wickets.

One of their former players, ex-Illingworth and Yorkshire batsman Gary Fellows, continued his productive opening partnership with Nick Connolly to condemn them to defeat.

Fellows first made an impact with the ball, taking four for 43 as the visitors posted 214 all out.

Alex Stead continued his fine summer with a knock of 84, returning to the crease after taking an injury break when he was on 24.

Opening partner Ian Philliskirk (49) was among the runs again but Lightcliffe failed to take full advantage of their good start.

Hanging Heaton’s openers put on 131 for the first wicket and although Fellows was out for 85, Connolly finished unbeaten on 82.

Brighouse’s struggle in Conference B continued at Carlton, where they went down by 61 runs.

The home side made 220 for five with 47 from Farrukh Alam, who followed up with four for 43 as the Russell Way men were dismissed for 159.

Northowram Fields were without a game in the Conference and Great Preston and Buttershaw St Paul’s both won to eat into their lead at the top.

Barkisland fought back well to beat visitors Cawthorne in the top section of the Huddersfield League.

They were struggling with the bat until numbers seven, eight and nine, Darren Robinson (50), Jake Finch (46) and Matthew Steers (21 no) lifted their total to 224 for eight.

Spinner Steers was then tossed the new ball and took four for 28 while skipper Robinson grabbed three for eight as the visitors were all out for 98.

Bottom side Elland lost at third-placed Shepley, for whom Aussie Daniel Anderson made 119 not out in their 261 for eight.

That total was too much for the visitors, who nevertheless made a battling 188 for nine in reply with 63 from Luke Fletcher.

Todmorden moved into the top half of the Lancashire League, continuing their much improved form with a four-wicket win at Haslingden.

Seamers Graham Lalor (5-25) and Matt Collins (3-15) bowled out the home side for 103 with Graham Knowles’ 24 the top score.

The visiting batsmen also found it tough going against Jake Neary (4-40) but Benjamin Pearson (35) helped secure maximum points.

Bradford League, Premier Division: Lightcliffe 214 (A Stead 84, I Philliskirk 49; G Fellows 4-43), *Hanging Heaton 215-1 (G Fellows 85, N Connolly 82 no).

Championship B: Carlton 220-5 (T Taylor 48 no, F Alam 47) , Brighouse 159.

Huddersfield League, Premiship: *Barkisland 224-8 (D Robinson 50, J Finch 46, L Bridges 32), Cawthorne 98 (M Steers 4-28, D Robinson 3-8); *Shepley 261-8 (D Anderson 119no, D Wood 58; R Booth 3-53), Elland 188-9 (L Fletcher 63).

Lancashire League: *Haslingden 103 (G Lalor 5-25, M Collins 3-15) Todmorden 104-6 (B Pearson 37).

Pennine League: Royton 158 (C Khurana 54, Josh Gale 4-42), *Walsden 159-3 (Josh Gale 77 no).

Aire/Wharfe League, Division Two: Illingworth 154 (D Murfet 46, A Ayoub 5-51), Thackley 155-5 (J Mills 70 no).