Batley secure derby triumph to stay top of table

It was an emotional day at Mount Pleasant as players and officials from the two local rivals gathered before the start to pay tribute to murdered MP Jo Cox in what was Batley’s first home game since the tragic events of three weeks ago.

Leaders Batley recovered from the shock of losing two early wickets to post a useful 177 all out.

Kashif Talib (64) led Batley’s revival despite the efforts of Alex Drake (4-36) and Alexander Debs (3-50).

Birstall crumbled against the bowling of Tariq Hussain (4-23) as they were dismissed for 81 in reply.

Second-placed Yeadon recorded a 20-run victory in a low-scoring encounter with Hunslet Nelson at Gypsy Lane.

Spinner Damon Gormley took 5-19 as Yeadon dismissed the home side for 91 after they had made 111 when they batted first.

Nelson bowlers Chris Anderson (5-24) and Max Chappell (4-29) caused most of the problems.

Keighley won for the first time this season as they defeated Saltaire by 77 runs.

Captain Alex Towler (3-26) and Maaiz Khan (3-9) helped dismiss Saltaire for 96 when they replied to Keighley’s total of 173-8. Tanzeel Altaf (36) top scored for Saltaire while the main contributor for Keighley was Ben Hastie (33).

Baildon skittled out bottom team Idle for just 54 as overseas player Blake Glen claimed 5-30 before the Jenny Laners romped to an eight-wicket win.