Batley defy weather to defeat Saints

Mirfield Parish Cavaliers captain Tim Orrell on the drive against Birstall before rain stopped play last Saturday.

Huzaifa Patel (5-34), Muhammad Shahnawaz (3-44) and Fawad Maqsood (2-17) combined to dismiss St Pauls for 122, despite James Robson top scoring with 69.

Batley wasted little time in racing to their target, requiring just 18.3 overs to complete an eight-wicket win as Maqsood struck a quickfire 46, while Sajad Hussain (29no) and Sufyan Patel (46no) shared an unbroken third-wicket stand.

Methley regained top spot in the Premier Division after they earned a 10-wicket win over Ossett, while Wakefield Thornes game against Wrenthorpe was abandoned.

Methley hold a three-point lead over Thornes and are six ahead of Townville with three matches remaining.

Ossett made an impressive start as Will Simpson (46) and Gurman Randhawa (21) shared a 66-run opening wicket stand.

However, the introduction of the Walmsley brothers changed the complex of teh game as all 10 wickets fell for 63 runs and Ossett slipped to 129 all out.

Marcus Walmsley claimed 5-46 and Eddie 4-30 to set Methley on course for a crucial win which they completed in just 20 overs.

Richard Fostger hit 12 fours and three sixes on his way to 83 and shared an unbroken 132-run first wicket stand with Marcus Walmsley (42no).

Birstall clash at Mirfield Parish Cavaliers was building towards a tense finish when rain stopped play.

Although Joshua Twohig (39), Richard Sidle (27) and number 11 Alex Drake (21no) made useful contributions, Birstall were bowled out for 165 in the 43rd over as Nazar Hussain claimed 4-53.

Tim Orrell was run out for 31 in the Mirfield reply, while Salman Sayed made 27, with Jaymish Patel (3-49) leading the Birstall fightback.

Parish were 121-6 from 32 overs, with Nazar Hussain unbeaten on 34 when play was halted with the game evenly poised.

Townville’s title hopes were dented by Altofts’ resilience and the weather.

Joshua Drmmond (76) led Altofts to 214 all out in the final over of their innings, with Townville 36-1 from seven overs in reply when the match was abandoned.

Hunslet Nelson were bowled out for 165 against Carlton, who reached 15-1 before the rain curtailed the action.