Birstall hold nerve to edge out Batley

Birstalls Paul Blakeley is bowled by Roheil Hussain in the CYL Premier Division derby against Batley last Saturday. Picture: Paul Butterfield

Eric Austin stroked 11 fours on his way to a top score of 61, while new signing Waz Nazir made 26 on his Birstall debut as the home side were bowled out for 145.

Huzaifa Patel (3-32), Roheil Hussain (3-35) and Tariq Hussain (3-40) impressed with the ball as Batley threatened to secure victory on their return to the top flight.

Sardar Hassan Khan top scored with 36 but Batley fell agonisingly short as they were bowled out for 143.

Saif Ur Rehman (3-22) and Jaymish Patel (3-20) did most of the damage, while Craig Wood (2-13) crucially claimed the last two Batley wickets to secure his side maximum points.

Mirfield Parish Cavaliers suffered a seven-wicket defeat at the hands of Townville.

Yasir Ali top scored with 88 not out, including 12 fours and three sixes, while Abdul Rehman made 56 and Terence James 26 as Parish posted a useful 245-8, with Conor Harvey claiming 4-64.

Former Methley batsman Chris Holliday made 80 on his Townville debut and shared a 156-run third-wicket partnership with Jack Hughes (89no) to put their side on course for victory inside 44 overs.

Ossett also made a winning start, defeating Buttershaw St Paul’s by 116 runs.

Shoaib Latif (84) and Will Simpson (83) led Ossett to a total of 261 before John Sadler (4-51) and Charles Orme (3-29) helped dismiss Buttershaw for 145.

Champions Methley made a winning start to their title defence, dismissing Wakefield Thornes for 112 on their way to a five-wicket win.

Altofts chased down Hunslet Nelson’s total of 198-7 to seal an eight-wicket win, while Wrenthorpe posted 227-9 before restricting Carlton to 165-9 as they secured a four-point win.

Liversedge suffered an 80-run defeat at the hands of Northowram Fields in the Championship as they were bowled out for 190 in reply to the visitors’ impressive total of 270-6.

East Ardsley dismissed Wakefield St Michael’s for just 85 before completing a seven-wicket win.

Azaad’s bowlers were also on form as they dismissed Oulton for just 45 in reply to their total of 237 to complete an emphatic 192-run success.

Crossbank Methodists slipped to a nine-wicket defeat on their CYL debut.

The Methodists found the going tough as they were bowled out for 78 and East Leeds went on to seal a comprehensive win.

Adwalton racked up an impressive total of 325-7 against Mirfield as Matthew Donohoe (70) and Chris Curtis (40) shared a 108-run opening wicket stand, while Dean Jackson made 57 not out.

Alexander Pearson (74) and Arshad Mahmood (47) impressed in reply but Mirfield were dismissed for 238.