All-rounder Paynter ensures play-off place

TOWNVILLE'S hopes of qualifying for the Yorkshire Council Championship play-offs ended when they lost at Birstall.

Paul Blakeley (3-39) and Zafar Khan (3-37) bowled out Townville for 188, chasing Birstall's 247-4 that included 74 from Connor Williams and 58 by Stewart Clifton.

Wrenthorpe have qualified in top spot for the first-round of the Council play-offs on August 29 and New Farnley and Methley are vying for second place.

All-rounder David Paynter hammered 86 and snapped up 6-31 as unbeaten Wrenthorpe retained an 18-point lead by trouncing lowly Batley.

Ossett's relegation worries increased when their three-match unbeaten run ended with a seven-wicket defeat against New Farnley. Jack Pulley and Tom Robinson were the only Ossett batsman who reached double figures as they were routed for 72 by Danny Busfield (6-21) and Nicky Johnson (3-44).

Farnley are five points ahead ahead of Methley, whose 131-run win at Wakefield St Michael's featured an unbeaten 122 by opener Nick Connolly who struck four sixes and 12 fours.

Michael's Halloran's half-century was in vain for St Michael's as John Rickers (4-25) limited them to 141-9, replying to 272-6.

Liversedge remain at the foot of the table after losing by eight wickets to Wakefield Thornes.

David Meiring (45no) and Anwar Hafeez (33) put on 76 to steer Thornes to victory after Scott Wightman (4-32), Hafeez (3-8) and Matt Varley (2-15) sent Liversedge collapsing from 52-2 to 109 all out.

Altofts slipped to their 10th defeat in 11 league games when they lost by three runs to Northowram Fields in the day's closest finish.

Hunslet Nelson's lead in Division One was cut to 14 points when they lost by nine runs to rivals Mirfield Parish Cavaliers, who are favourites for the second promotion place.

Alan Sumner (90), Gary Ramsden (56) and Chris Lloyd (4-54) gave third-placed Moorlands the edge at Methley.

Buttershaw St Paul's continued their revival as Ian Carradice (5-28), Naveed Bhatti (69no) and James Robson (47) led them to a seven-wicket win at Scholes.

East Ardsley were foiled by rain after Mark Heald (6-20) bowled out Caribbean for 163.