Moorlands’ big weekend – Parish eye Premier progress

The Memorial Park side are third in Central Yorkshire League Division One after last week’s impressive 67-run victory over struggling East Ardsley saw them close the gap on second placed Carlton to a point.

The first division is extremely close with just five points separating Carlton in second from Batley in fifth as the season reaches the halfway stage this weekend and Moorlands face a crucial clash at Batley tomorrow (start 1pm).

Moorlands will also be eyeing a place in the Jack Hampshire Cup semi-final when they visit Carlton on Sunday (1.30pm).

It’s a rarity to see a first division club in the last four of the CYL’s premier cup competition but the draw has been kind to the promotion chasers and victory could set up a lucrative tie against one of the top teams.

Mirfield Parish Cavaliers have had a fine first half of the season, following their promotion last term, and they are very handily placed in seventh.

Parish put up a good effort against one of the leading sides last week before slipping to a 15-run defeat to New Farnley but they are 16 points above the relegation zone.

They have the chance to rack up a sixth win of the season tomorrow at Ossett, who are bottom having lost all 10 games.

Back-to-back defeats to leaders Scholes and Batley A have seen Hopton Mills slip to sixth place in Division Two, 10 points off the promotion places.

Mills have the chance to bounce back tomorrow when they travel to relegation threatened Adwalton.

Hanging Heaton go into tomorrow’s Bradford League Division One clash at home to Pudsey Congs (1.30pm) full of confidence following three straight victories.

At the start of June, Heaton were third-bottom but wins over leading sides Bradford & Bingley and Undercliffe, followed by last week’s eight-wicket success at Gomersal has instilled confidence.

Heaton have moved up to second place, just 16 points behind Woodlands, and they will be aware victory over Congs would give them a genuine chance of pushing for a first top flight title in 13 years.

However, Heaton’s bowling attack will be understrength as captain John Carruthers in unavailable, while Rob McFarlane did not bowl last week due to a shoulder injury.

McFarlane did star with the bat, making a quickfire 90, but with a Heavy Woollen Cup semi-final at Gomersal to come a week on Sunday, he may not be risked with the ball.