Scholes relegated on dramatic final day

Scholes knew only a maximum points win would guarantee their survival on a nerve wracking afternoon at New Popplewell Lane.

The game was reduced to 45 overs per side and Scholes knew they needed quick runs to force a declaration.

Majid Majeed clattered 23 fours and a six on his way to 125 from just 91 balls, while Matthew Barnes struck 66 not out from just 36 balls as the home side declared on 275-5 after 36 overs.

That gave Scholes 54 overs to dismiss the East Leeds and send the visitors down, while saving themselves.

Things started well as Leeds were reduced to 152-7 before a 44-run stand for the eighth wicket between James Watling and John Speight (13) moved East Leeds onto 196-8.

Watling finished on 74 not out and with Oliver Broome (4no) Easts managed to safely negotiate the final overs as they stayed up by just a point.

Woodkirk ensured their survival, despite being hampered by a 12-point deduction, as they defeated Caribbean by 18 runs.

Woodkirk must have feared the worst when they were restricted to 134-8 in a game reduced to 32 overs per side.

Ashish Rana (42) top scored but it appeared Woodkirk were staring relegation in the face.

Garry Dawber has led his side superbly and he produced another outstanding bowling display, claiming 5-25 from 8.1 overs.

Patrick Hinchcliffe chipped in withy 3-34 as Caribbean were bowled out for 118 as Woodkirk finished three points clear of the drop zone in eighth.

Hunslet Nelson rounded off their championship winning season by recording a 19th win of the campaign.

Nelson were presented with Division One trophy before the game and they celebrated in style with a five-wicket win over Ossett A.

Sohail Raz Raz capped a fine season by picking up 4-19 from 8.3 overs and would appear to have finished as the first division’s top bowler.

Will Stiff (3-14) and Glen Thompson (3-33) also shone as Ossett were dismissed for 105, despite a defiant 35 from David Goodlad. Nelson eased to their target in the 19th over.

East Ardsley defeated Methley A by 33 runs to end the season sixth, while the games between promoted Mirfield Parish Cavaliers against Carlton and Moorlands’ trip to Buttershaw St Pauls fell victim to the weather.

Batley’s tenure in the Premier Division ended when they suffered defeat to Wakefield Thornes on the final day.

Batley’s hopes were hampered before a ball was bowled when they learned that relegation rivals Altofts’ game at champions Wrenthorpe had been abandoned.

The unlikely two points Altofts claimed – in the only top flight game to fall victim to the weather – meant Batley had to claim maximum points against Thornes or hope that local rivals Birstall could do them a favour by beating Ossett.

However, Birstall were without key batsmen Connor Williams and Rob Peregrine and were always up against it against a side, who needed to win to guarantee their siurvival.

Although Zafar Khan top scored with 62 from 74 balls, Birstall were restricted to 130-9 in a 37 overs per side game.

Jonathan Rudge was the star bowler as he claimed 5-45 from 15 overs.

Birstall old boy Chris Hosley proved the home side’s match winner.

Hosley struck 12 fours on his way to 70 not out from 69 balls and with support from Solly Abbas (23), Ossett reached their target in the 31st over.

Survival was still in Batley’s hands if they could overcome Thornes in a game reduced to 40 overs per side.

Ayaz Seedat (37) top scored as Batley were restricted to 155-9 before veteran Tariq Hussain (3-56) and teenager Roheil Hussain (2-35) helped reduce Thornes to 113-7.

Batley appeared on the verge of producing another great escape but Joe Cook (36no) and Tom Froggett (11no) broke the Mount Pleasant side’s hearts as they produced an unbroken 46-run stand to steer Thornes to a three-wicket win over and condemn Batley to relegation.

Liversedge were relegated the previous week, but without any pressure, they recorded only their second maximum points win, beating Wakefield St Michaels by three wickets.

Simon Kay (4-42) and Simon Purdy (3-54) helped dismiss St Michaels for 161, with opener Richard Atkinson (66) top scoring.

Liam Booth (40), David Bolt (31), Matthew Gibson (29) and Jonathan Trevitt (25) then steered Liversedge to victory in the 35th over.

New Farnley finished as runners-up to Wrenthorpe after defeating Northowram Fields by six wickets.

Hopton Mills suffered an 86-run defeat to Townville A but that result was not enough to see the home side promoted from Division Two as Oulton dismissed Netherton for just 43 and clinched an eight wicket win to clinch second spot.

Jack Hughes struck 111 as Townville made 235-9, despite the efforts of Richard Dolan (4-77) and Andrew Moorhouse (3-90).

Mark Ashton (39), Matthew Dyson (36no) and Andrew Moorhouse (30) led the Hopton reply but they were restricted to 149-9 as Conor Harvey claimed 3-18.

Champions Wakefield Thornes A ended with a 32-run success over Buttershaw St Pauls A and they finished nine points clear of Oulton, who are promoted in their first season.