Championship race goes down to wire

Craig Wood delivers for Birstall against Mirfield Parish Cavaliers last Saturday.

Hopton were in a strong position last Saturday’s game against East Ardsley before rain stopped play, while Liversedge faced an uphill task against Azaad when their game was also abandoned.

Hopton posted a useful 209-7, with Chris Scott (58no) leading the way, supported by Ashley Mackereth (39) and Neil Browne (32).

Scott Mullins claimed 4-55 for East Ardsley, who were reduced to 29-3 from 10.2 overs of their reply when the rain arrived.

Azaad racked up 230-9 with Imran Mahboob (63), Zaeem Zulfaq (33) and Tanveer Hussain (32) the leading run scorers.

James Ives claimed 3-55, while Simon Kay and Will Atkin picked up two wickets apiece for Sedge.

The visitors had struggled to 63-3 from 27.4 overs when rain stopped play.

Northowram Fields were the only Championship side to record victory as they swept aside basement clubCaribbean, who have taken just three points all season.

Zafar Khan (4-24) and James Norcliffe (3-9) combined to help dismiss Caribbean for 67 in 19.1 overs before Robert Larner (30no) ensured Northowram would beat the weather as they eased home in 12.1 overs.

Oulton were reduced to 62-6 in reply to Wakefield St Michaels total of 182-7 when they were rescued by the rain.

Mirfield’s Division One game against high flying East Leeds was building nicely when they rain arrived to deny an exciting finish.

East Leeds were bowled out for 189 as Robert Haigh claimed 4-43, while Steven Kirkby (27) and Asad Kazimi (29) made useful contributions to the Mirfield reply, which stood at 96-3 from 28 overs when play was abandoned.

Rodley secured a two-run win over Adwalton in one of only two first division matches to finish.

Rodley were bowled out for 160 as James Pearson (4-35) and Chris Priestley (3-15) shone but Adwalton finished agonisingly short on 158 all out as Joel Rothery claimed 5-43.

Great Preston need to win one of the final two matches to be confirmed Division One champions in their first season in the Central Yorkshire League.

The leaders mcoved seven points clear of East Leeds with two matches to play thanks to a 73-run victory over Crossbank Meths.

Joshua Mastin claimed 5-17 to have Great Preston in trouble, despite the efforts of Danusha Ranasinghe (35) and David Illingworth (26no).

Andrew Clark’s 29 not out late in the innings boosted the total to 135 all out before they dismissed Crossbank for 62 with Clark (5-17) and Christopher Baldwin (3-22) doing the damage.