Batley stay top despite slipping to Nelson loss

Crossbanks James Abbott drives the ball but his side slipped to a 10-wicket defeat against Wakefield St Michaels in the Bradford League Conference.

Batley appeared on course for a seventh win when they dismissed Nelson for just 72, with Muhammed Shahnawaz (5-22) and Tariq Hussain (3-14) doing the damage. However, Nelson then took advantage of the bowler friendly conditions as they dismissed Batley for 63 to seal a nine-run win with captain Will Stiff taking (5-22).

The Championship A match at Batley was the only one not to be curtailed by the weather and that has helped them to remain 18 points clear of Undercliffe at the top of the table.

Zeeshan Qasim took (5-32) and Michael Kelsey (3-27) as Saltaire were bowled out for 143. Undercliffe were going well at 81-2 when the weather brought the game to an early end.

Baildon made 152 with Jonny Reynolds (69) top scoring before rain prevented the Idle reply from starting.

The experienced Damon Gormley made 61 and opener Jake Wray (48) as Yeadon posted 215-7 against Ossett who had reached 101-5 when play was abandoned.

Birstall were left frustrated after their clash at Idle was abandoned at tea when rain intervened.

Birstall had posted a challenging total of 245-6, with Salman Sayed hitting five sixes and two fours in a top score of 90.

He was supported by opener Ian Carradice (35), Siraj Hussain (26) and a useful 27 not out late on by Nick Kaye as they earned maximum batting points.

The Idle reply was unable to start as the match was abandoned.

Jonathan Booth hit a magnificent 137 not out as Championship B leaders Townville extended their unbeaten record to eight games with an 82-run win over Hopton Mills.

Booth hit six sixes and 16 fours and shared in an opening stand of 132 with Kristian Ward (49) which set Townville on course for a total of 275-4 declared.

Mills made 193 in reply with Louren Steenkamp (36) and Andrew Grey (36) top scoring as Jack Hughes (5-42) and Conor Harvey (3-21) wrapped up Townville’s win.

Surprise of the day saw lowly Brighouse defeat Methley to record their first win of the season. Awaise Hussain (47) and Mustafa Bhatti (42no) helped Brighouse to chase down a Methley score of 146.

Captain Grant Soames (53) and Harry Anderson (40) led the way for Methley but they slipped to a second straight defeat and are fourth.