Victory hands Mills relegation lifeline

Liversedges Jonathan Trevitt in action against Wakefield St Michaels before rain stopped play last Saturday.

With Birstall having to settle for two points from a rain affected game against Scholes, Hopton took full advantage by recording a four-wicket win over Parish.

Hopton are now just five points behind Carlton and Birtsall with three games remaining.

Nazar Hussain hit 56 off 92 balls, including seven fours and three sixes, as Parish recovered from 58-6 to post 153 all out.

Hussain shared a 74-run seventh wicket partnership with Mohammed Wadee (29), while Richard Myers picked up 4-43 from 15 overs.

Parish old boy Ashley Mackereth plotted his former side’s downfall as he smashed 89 not out from just 85 balls, including nine fours and five sixes, to steer Hopton to a vital victory in their quest to avoid the drop.

Hunslet Nelson gained a four-wicket win over Carlton and are four points behind second-bottom Hopton with the bottom two meeting this Saturday.

The Premiership title race is heading for a tense finale with Methley holding a one-point lead over Townville after both recorded maximum points wins.

Liversedge’s hopes of winning promotion from the Championship were dealt a blow by the weather.

Liversedge were bowled out for 141, with Will Atkin (51) top scoring, before rain stopped play just four balls into the St Michael’s innings.

Liversedge slipped to third place, three points behind Buttershaw St Paul’s, who overcame league leaders Batley by 51 runs.

Ian Carradice (46), Nicos Haralibidis (46) and Brad Neyland (37) led Buttershaw to 211-9, of which Hassan Patel claimed 4-58.

Naik Zada made 40 not out in reply but Batley were dismissed for 160 as Neyland claimed 4-58 and their lead has been cut to 13 points.

Northowram Fields are the only other team who can catch Buttershaw going into the final three matches but their hopes were hampered when rain prevented a finish in their match at Oulton.

Mirfield had high hopes of recording a first win of the season in Division One after they bowled Azaad out for just 90.

Carl Hemingway bowled an incredible three over spell which saw him claim five wickets for just two runs.

However, it wasn’t enough to prevent defeat as Mirfield were dismissed for 40 in reply.