Williams bids to sign off in style for Birstall
Published Date:
05 September 2008
By Andrew Hunt
BIRSTALL'S overseas man Connor Williams plays his final game of the season against Ossett on Saturday after being told he must attend a training camp with his first class side Baroda.
Williams will return to India on Sunday, which means he misses Birstall's re-arranged Yorkshire Council Play-off semi-final at Wickersley that day along with the final game of the Central Yorkshire League Premier Division game at Scholes on September 13.
Williams, who made his season's best of 121 against Mirfield Parish Cavaliers last Saturday, has amassed 711 league runs this time. He will be keen to part on a winning note as Birstall look to take the Premier title race to the final day.
Birstall trail leaders Wrenthorpe by two points but with Wrenthorpe having to travel to Methley on the final day, the race is still very much alive.
Birstall have been given a boost as spinner Richard Pearson has made himself available for the trip to Wickersley, while all-rounder Paul Marlow also returns.
The Leeds Road side showed they are certainly not ready to give up the fight as they attempt to overhaul Wrenthorpe. They claimed the last Parish wicket from the final ball of last Saturday's clash to take maximum points.
Wickersley made 149-4 from 33 overs when last Sunday's semi-final was abandoned due to rain and under council play-off rules, the match starts from scratch this week, as does Wrenthorpe's semi-final at home to Elsecar.
Batley have slipped into the relegation zone and face a huge test if they are to take anything from Saturday's daunting trip to Wrenthorpe, although there is hope for Tariq Hussain's men as they entertain fellow strugglers New Farnley on the final day.
Batley have done tremendously well to remain in the top flight with a playing budget far smaller than the top clubs but they must produce a massive effort if they are to climb out of the bottom two.
Woodkirk travel to Mirfield Parish Cavaliers A in Division Two knowing that only maximum points will keep alive their hopes of a top-two finish.
n Hanging Heaton go into the final two Bradford League Division One games with little to play for other than pride. Heaton visit Pudsey St Lawrence on Saturday and then end at home to Brighouse.
n Heckmondwike and Carlinghow and Crossbank have big games on Sunday (1pm starts) in their promotion battles in the Huddersfield Central League.
Third-placed Heckmondwike and Carlinghow visit Section A leaders Flockton, while Crossbank, third in Section B, host Denby Dale B.
n The Bradford League's Priestley Shield final is at Cleckheaton on Sunday (start noon) with the host club facing East Bierley.
The full article contains 463 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
-
Last Updated:
-
Source:
n/a
-
Location:
Batley