Scholes go top – Birstall A earn tie

The hosts elected to bat on a flat, dry wicket but slumped to 10-4. Chris Scott was lbw to Richard West (2-40) with the first ball of the match while soon after Mark Ashton was caught and bowled by Joe Duffy.

Duffy (4-40) claimed two more wickets before Gary Senior led the recovery with a patient 27 from 73 balls, supported by Andy Moorhouse 36. Philip Scott plundered 50 not out late on to steer Mills to 177-9.

In reply Neil Kellett made 40 from 29 balls, and Andy Shingleton 22 but at 88-4 Scholes looked in trouble.

James Little then forged a partnership with in-form man Duffy and the pair put on an unbeaten 93 in 11 overs to see Scholes home with 25 overs to spare. Duffy was 70 not out off 44 balls, while Little scored at a run a ball for his 39 not out. Richard Myers claimed 4-77.

Scholes lead by a point from Altofts A who overtook Caribbean after beating them by 47 runs while Mills slipped from third to sixth place and are six points adrift of the leaders.

Birstall A climbed to fourth place after a thrilling tie at Townville A.

Sean Twohig made 25 and Dominic Cleghorn 27 as Birstall A, aided by 35 extras including 26 wides, were 162 all out i n 35 overs.

Ashley Mackereth (24) and Dale Jones (27) had seemingly put Townville A on course as they reached 143-5 before Sean Twohig (2-19) sparked a Birstall fightback.

The home side lost their last five wickets for just 19 runs to be dismissed for 162. Taj Adil finished with 4-29, Cleghorn 1-32, Mark Heseldin 1-20 and Nick Kaye, who also contributed a key run out, 1-24.

Batley A gained a third league win of the season as they beat hosts Buttershaw A by three wickets.

Opener Robert Cull hit 80 as the hosts were 217 all out. Saqib Talib took 5-53, Altaf Hussain 2-17 and Roheil Hussain 3-35.

In reply Soyeb Kayat made 32, Altaf Hussain (39) and Roheil Hussain (50) shared an 83-run stand for the fourth wicket while Talib added 32 not out as Batley A eased to 218-7 in 48 overs.Matthew Kellett claimed 4-63.

Gildersome rose to eighth place after winning by three wickets at home to second-bottom Adwalton.

In Division Four, Hopton Mills A stay a point clear of Oulton A in Division Four after their five-wicket win at Methley B.

The stubborn hosts were bowled out for just 104 in 46 overs by Wasim Iqbal (4-31), Mohammed Abrar (1-17), Leigh Learie (2-24) and Vasant Patel (2-8) in six overs with three maidens).

After a shaky start in reply Abrar supported by Imran Khan (19) and Craig Gardner (18no) saw Mills home. Abrar made 35 not out as Mills cruised to 105-5.

Cup quarter-finals

Liversedge have been given a tough task in the Jack Hampshire Cup quarter-finals with a home tie against Wrenthorpe, while Moorlands will fancy their chances at fellow Division One side Carlton.

Jack Hampshire Cup quarter-finals (June 26): Methley v Hunslet Nelson, Carlton v Moorlands, Townville v New Farnley, Liversedge v Wrenthorpe

Wheatley Cup quarter-finals (June 26): Hunslet Nelson v Birstall, Moorlands v Buttershaw SP, New Farnley v Wakefield Thornes, Wrenthorpe v Liversedge.