Batley boost hopes with fine victory

Sixth spot could be significant if a proposed merger between the CYL and the Bradford League goes ahead as it could be enough to ensure they are playing in the second tier of a new Premier League next season.

Economical bowling restricted Altofts and although Akram Asif made a patient 52 from 103 balls, they were bowled out for 158.

Joe Ellam (33) and Dominic Richardson (26) supported Asif’s efforts in the face of good bowling from Muhammad Shahnawaz (3-24).

Jonathon Donnelly (3-53) threatened an Altofts comeback as six Batley wickets fell but Sardar Hassan Khan made 37 before Huazaifa Patel (33no) and Tariq Hussain (13no) steered their side home with an unbroken seventh wicket stand.

Mirfield Parish Cavaliers are level with Batley on 40 points following a 22-run four-point win over Carlton.

Nazar Hussain struck 12 fours and three sixes in a top score of 91, while David Bolt (53) and James Hardcastle (44) supported as Parish posted 277-8.

Ismail Patel (3-74) and Jonathan Hughes (3-45) were pick of the Carlton bowling.

Patel then cracked 111 not out, including 16 fours and two sixes, while Tom Taylor chipped in with 41 but Carlton were restricted to 255-9 as Hussain followed up his efforts with the bat by taking 4-42.

A youthful looking Birstall side slipped to an eight-wicket defeat at the hands of Wrenthorpe.

Juniors Joseph Woodhouse (22) and Matthew Dyson (28) produced a 52-run opening wicket stand, while captain Craig Wood (41) top scored in Birstall’s 185-9.

Jack Rich (3-45) and Greg Wood (3-43) were pick of the Wrenthorpe bowlers before Darryl Hendricks struck 83 not out from just 65 balls, including 15 fours.

Greg Wood followed up his impressive bowling with 70 from 38 balls, including nine fours and three sixes, as Wrenthorpe eased home in the 21st over.

Ossett are virtually guaranteed a top five finish as they lead Batley and Mirfield Parish by 19 points with five games remaining.

Yorkshire all-rounder Rich Pyrah helped Batley record a five-wicket win over Hunslet Nelson.

Pyrah claimed 5-35 as Hunslet Nelson were bowled out for 102 in 36.5 overs, despite Christian Slinger (47no) top scoring.

Michael Edwrads led the Ossett reply with 50 before Pyrah completed the job, hitting 16 not out, despite Nelson overseas player Warren Ekstraal claiming 3-41.

The Premier Division title race is set for an intriguing finish with eight points separating the top three clubs.

Wakefield Thornes leapfrogged Townville into second place thanks to a four-point win as they chased down 203-8 to win by six wickets.

Thornes are five points behind leaders Methley, who dropped points at lowly Buttershaw St Paul’s.

Harry Anderson hit 111 as Methley chased down Buttershaw’s 241-9.