Batley bowlers lead way in impressive win

Unbeaten Batley stretched their run to five wins from their opening six matches as they extended their lead at the top of the table to 16 points.

Batley’s bowlers found conditions to their liking at Cavendish Road as they dismissed bottom team Idle for just 51.

Muhammad Hafeez (3-9) and Aqsad Ali (3-14) did the damage as Idle were bowled out in 34.3 overs before Naik Zada (27) led them home in 16.3 overs.

Birstall celebrated their first victory of the season as they moved up to seventh place after edging a one-wicket win over Keighley with nine balls to spare.

An unbroken third-wicket stand of 172 between overseas player Ben Hastie (95no) and Max Davidson (74no) helped Keighley post 214-2.

Nick Kaye (80no) and Salman Sayed (63) produced excellent displays in reply to ensure Birstall overhauled the total despite the efforts of Andy Wear (4-35).

Kaye’s patient innings, which came off 132 balls, included 11 fours and a six, while the Birstall total was boosted by Keighley conceding 40 extras, including 32 byes.

Liversedge secured a three-wicket win over Saltaire and are six points clear of Birstall in sixth place.

Spinner Stephen Lane produced a match-winning spell of 6-35 as Saltaire were restricted to 157-9, with Adeel Ashraf (55) top scoring.

Matthew Butler made an unbeaten 40 in reply as Liversedge edged home despite the efforts of leg spinner Tanzeel Altaf (3-43).

Ossett picked up their first win, defeating Hunslet Nelson by seven wickets to move out of the bottom two.

Khalid Usman’s 5-33 helped Ossett bowl out Nelson for 94, with Daniel Calverley (42) top scoring.

Richard Whitehurst’s unbeaten 36 helped Ossett to victory.

Undercliffe are second after a 15-run win in a lowing scoring game with Baildon.