Williams signs off with brilliant 118

The prolific Indian batsman helped Birstall overcome local rivals Batley by 57 runs before flying home to take up a new post with Baroda.

It seems likely that the left handed opening batsman will have already done enough to win the league averages after his 118 not out last Saturday took his tally for the season to 960 runs in 15 innings.

Williams carried his bat for his fifth century of the season, which included 14 fours and two sixes as he helped Birstall reach 213 all out from 49.2 overs.

Batley’s own overseas man Naweed Ghany (4-42) was the pick of their bowling and he also went on to top score with 38 in reply but the Mount Pleasant men were dismissed for 156. Saif Ur Rehman claimed 4-20 from 13.5 overs.

The win was enough to lift Birstall eight points clear of the bottom two after Northowram Fields went down by 80 runs to Mirfield Parish Cavaliers.

Michael Padgett (73) and Sri Lankan Tharaka Gunarathne (63) shared a 159-run third-wicket partnership to help Parish post 262-7.

Gunarathne then claimed 5-58 from 12 overs as Northowram were dismissed for 182 inside 46 overs.

Wrenthorpe extended their lead at the top over Methley to nine points as they maintained a season long unbeaten run with a 134-run win over Carlton, who slip to third-bottom.

Methley were restricted to a four-point win by Townville and they will host Hunslet Nelson in the first round of the Yorkshire Council play-offs this Sunday.

Moorlands took a big step towards winning the Division One title after they defeated Oulton by three wickets.

Nadeem Hussain (4-26) and Andrew Walker (4-28) combined to help dismiss Oulton for 105 and although the leaders were reduced to 53-6 in reply, Walker guided them to victory finishing 37 not out.

Ossett took full advantage to jump above Oulton into second place.

Yorkshire’s Richard Pyrah claimed 5-13 from 11.3 overs and with Charles Orme (5-27) supporting, Oulton were bowled out for 62.

Pyrah fell to Zahid Taraz (4-41) for a duck but Ossett sealed a five-wicket win thanks to Robert Wade (27) and Naveed Sayeed (26).

Scholes recorded a 62-run victory over relegation threatened East Ardsley.

Andrew Spencer (65) top scored as Scholes posted 232-9 before Ben Cross and Matthew Barnes claimed three wickets apiece as Ardsley were dismissed for 170.

Hopton Mills had a 14-run win over Liversedge. Chris Scott (40) and Stephen Bland (39) led Hopton to 176 all out, with Craig Wood claiming 4-46.

Matthew Gibson (62) top scored in reply but Liversedge were bowled out for 162.