Hopton and Liversedge locked in title race

While Hopton were restricted to a four-point win over Azaad last Saturday, Liversedge claimed maximum points from their game against East Ardsley to close the gap.

Hopton racked up 234-7 as Gary Senior (58), Chris Scott (57) and Stephen Bland (47) got among the runs after Ashley Mackereth made 29 at the top of the innings.

Syed Shah Bukhari (5-55) was pick of the Azaad bowling.

Imran Mahboob hit 72 in reply, while Hopton were further frustrated by Nazakat Hussain’s defiant 28 not out as Azaad closed on 184-8, despite the best efforts of Neil Browne (4-37) and Mackereth (3-33).

Liversedge had East Ardsley in trouble at 51-6 and 84-7 before no8 batsman Dave Kiobler hit 63 to help them reach 173 all out.

Simon Kay (4-57) and Graeme Winn (3-33) impressed with the ball before Alan Sumner (67) and Paul Malow (30) steered Liversedge to a crucial four-wicket victory.

Northowram Fields successfully chased down Wakefield St Michael’s total of 217-8 to record a thrilling one-wicket win and they are eight points behind Liversedge.

Crossbank Methodists suffered an eight-wicket defeat to Gildersome and are bottom of Division One.

James Abbott (39) and captain Richard Hosley (34) were Crossbank’s top scorers as they were bowled out for 157, with Khalil Liaquat (5-27) and Martin Morley (3-24) doing the damage.

Haseeb Hashmi then smashed a splendid 105 from 83 balls, including 19 fours and a six, to set the platform for Gildersome’s win.

Razeb Raja’s 38 not out was slightly more patient but victory is enough to lift Gildersome into third spot.

Mirfield dismissed Rodley for just 107 as Andrew Young (4-15), Andy Smith (3-19) and Neil Eastwood (2-24) impressed. Mirfield went on to complete a five-wicket win in 26 overs.

East Leeds closed the gap on leaders Great Preston to six points with victory over Adwalton.