After it had been a struggle for many of the league’s batsmen in the opening weeks of the new season suddenly the sun was shining and the bat was very much on top of the ball at Gomersal.

The home side had first use of what proved a belter of a pitch and Morley’s highly rated bowling attack was soon up against it as openers Bradley Parker and Richard Gould quickly found their touch.

Opening bowlers Mohammad Azarullah and Nathan Bromby failed to make a breakthrough and Rob Linton-French, who claimed three wickets in the previous game, also struggled to break a first wicket stand that realised 150 runs.

Former Yorkshire batsman Parker was finally out for 70, caught by Matt Taylor off Lintin-French, but his innings off just 68 balls had set the tempo and Gould simply carried on, displaying a huge array of strokes that sent the ball to all parts of the ground.

Linton-French claimed a second victim when having Naveed again caught by Taylor then Azarullah joined the party with a couple of wickets to reduce the home side to 227-4, but the Morley bowlers could find no further reward as their opponents finished on a massive 317-4.

Gould batted throughout the 50 overs and finished on 174 not out, blasting five sixes and 21 fours in his amazing innings.

The Morley batsmen knew they had a huge task on their hands to score at more than six runs an over, but they remained undaunted and had a real go. With Yorkshire player Chris Taylor pulling out injured, it fell to his brother, Matt, to open the innings with Danny Lloyd and the duo did well in a first wicket stand of 88 that was ended when the skipper was caught behind for 33.

Winter signing Lloyd went on to reach his first half century in Morley colours and took the attack back to Gomersal with a knock of 74 from 66 balls. But the promotion of Azarullah in the order did not work as he was out for six.

Adam Larkin and Michael Davies came together in a good fourth wicket stand that brought a run a ball, but with the dismissal of the experienced Larkin for 53 with the score on 201 Morley’s chances of a surprise victory had probably gone.

They batted out to the finish, though, to deny Gomersal full points as Davies went on to reach his half century, finishing on 50 not out made from only 44 deliveries. Nathan Bromby contributed a breezy 18 and Michael Cooper 12 not out with Morley ending 43 runs short on 274-6.

Morley earned seven points and were obviously disappointed to lose, but could be encouraged at their best batting display of the season so far.

A 96-run stand between John Hyde and Richard Winn proved decisive as Morley Seconds beat Gomersal second XI.

Morley were struggling on 18-4 when the pair came together, but with Hyde making 65 and Winn 40 they were able to get up to a respectable 171-9 total.

Gomersal were pinned back at the start of their reply by opening bowlers Winn (2-26) and Spenser Horsfall (2-30).