ONE run was the agonising margin between safety and relegation for Pudsey Congs as their All Rounder Cricket Bradford Premier League Premier Division tenure came to an end.

Two runs from the final ball of their match with New Farnley would have earned them a tie, and that would have seen them finish level on points with East Bierley and survive by virtue of having one more win.

But Congs only managed a single and finished on 136-5 in reply to New Farnley's 137-3 in a game reduced to 20 overs per side because of rain on a day when the weather caused widespread disruption.

Batley, who suffered a 99-run defeat against Woodlands in another 20-over contest, are relegated with Congs after just one season in the top flight.

East Bierley, whose match with Bradford & Bingley was abandoned with them in trouble at 75-5 in response to their rivals' 186-6, finished with 166 points, two more than Batley and five better than Congs.

The game between New Farnley and Congs was clearly the most dramatic.

Skipper Lee Goddard blasted 97 from 65 balls for New Farnley, including four sixes and eight fours as they compiled a total of 137-3.

Congs opener Mubtada Akhtar hit four sixes in his 45, but it was Zahid Nissar (42no) who put his side in sight of survival.

Sadly for the six-times champions, the game had a cruel twist and saw them lose by the narrowest of margins.

In contrast, East Bierley were celebrating a lucky escape as the abandonment of their match with Bradford & Bingley earned them the three points that lifted them out of the bottom two.

East Bierley still needed 112 runs from 41 balls when the weather brought play to a halt.

Bradford & Bingley posted a formidable 186-6 in their 20 overs, with Hamzah Iqbal making 50, Matthew Duce 35 and Kyme Tahirkeli a remarkable 30 not out from just six balls.

East Bierley lost wickets pursuing quick runs and looked to be heading for relegation when the rain swept in.

Batley, who have battled so hard to try and avoid the drop, fell at the final hurdle.

Woodlands scored 164-5 in their 20 overs, with skipper Tim Jackson making 51, Sam Frankland 38 and Scott Richardson 36.

The home side soon hit problems and struggled to 65-8 as paceman Elliot Richardson took 4-13.

With Farsley's match at Townville being abandoned without a ball being bowled, Woodlands crept one point above them into second place.

The day's only century came at Moorend, where Lightcliffe's Matt Baxter made an unbeaten 112 before his side's match with Cleckheaton was abandoned.

Baxter made his runs from just 61 balls, with nine sixes and tens.

Adam Wainwright (32) shared a fourth-wicket stand of 137 with his skipper before play was abandoned with Lightcliffe 168-4 from 26 overs.

There was no play in the game between champions Hanging Heaton and Pudsey St Lawrence at Tofts Road.