Resurgent Batley make big move at foot of Premier Division

Batley went into the weekend propping up the table and their position didn’t improve after an 87-run loss to Methley on Saturday.

Huzaifa Patel (3-37) worked hard as Methley posted 201-8, a score that eluded Batley in their reply of 114 all out.

Sunday’s response couldn’t have been any better as Batley romped to a 94-run win at Altofts.

Mustafa Bhatti (56) was the cornerstone in the visitors’ 204 and Patel then took 6-53 to send Altofts packing on 110 all out.

Birstall are now bottom of the pile following two away losses.

Openers Connor Williams (101) and Stewart Clifton (32) inspired Birstall to 176-7 at Hunslet Nelson on Saturday only for the hosts to prevail with 180-7.

There was no upset in Sunday’s visit to league leaders Wrenthorpe, who eased to a 132-run win.

Saif Ur-Rehman (4-81) claimed all the wickets as Wrens declared on 297-4 and Birstall reached 165 following another fine knock from Williams (56).

Also suffering at the hands of the defending champions were Mirfield Parish Cavaliers, who lost at home by 93 runs.

Wrenthorpe tightened their grip at the top with a score of 250-6, Tom Fretwell (3-54) leading Cavaliers’ attack.

Good work from Bradley Drake (57) and Michael Padgett (40) went unrewarded as Mirfield’s reply fell short on 157.

It didn’t get any easier for Mirfield on Sunday when they visited second-placed New Farnley, who triumphed by seven wickets.

Tharaka Gunarathne (36) top scored in Mirfield’s 135 and the title chasers batted their way to 136-3.

Saturday’s Division 2 derby at Birstall A went the way of Batley A, who claimed victory by 56 runs.

Mohammed Aasim (46) and Bilal Abbas (48) propelled Batley to 191 while Jacob Holt (5-57) produced a fine spell of bowling.

The hosts were unable to bag the runs they needed and Joseph Woodhouse (35) was top of the tree in a reply of 135.

Sunday was no more successful for Birstall, who sustained a 44-run reverse at home to Wrenthorpe A.

Wrens’ scored 183-6 and although Joshua Twohig (27) helped the visitors to a decent start at 105-3, Birstall collapsed to 139 all out.

Bottom side Mirfield Parish Cavaliers A came within six runs of bagging two victories.

Neil Parkinson (5-15) helped to dispatch Wrenthorpe A for 155 on Saturday but Parish came up five runs short in reply, with Christian McBride (48) performing heroics.

To their credit, Mirfield bounced back on Sunday with a seven-wicket victory over Ossett A.

Paul Brook (6-34) accounted for the visitors on 105 and Parish eased to 106-3 in 19 overs.

Mirfield are up to fifth after bagging two impressive wins.

On Saturday, Mirfield looked in big trouble when they were bowled out for 99 at Townville A but Ajmal Zarif (3-25) and Nasseer Saudagar (4-14) hit back to help dismiss the hosts for 89.

Mirfield then accounted for league leaders East Ardsley in a five-wicket success on Sunday.

Saudagar (4-13) and Hamza Arif (3-24) combined to limit the visitors to 126 all out before Patrick Neal (42 not out) led Mirfield to 129-5.