Last-wicket pair in match-winning stand

METHLEY'S hopes of retaining the Premier Division title were rocked by a second successive defeat when they lost by one wicket to Northowram Fields.

Nadim Hussain (5-41) limited Methley to 195 after openers Hamid Khan (76) and Nick Connolly (57) had put on 94.

John Rickers (4-49) reduced Northowram's reply to 93-7 but they were rescued by a match-winning unbroken last-wicket stand of 37 between Chris Thompson (35no) and Paul Mitchell (5no).

Methley, Northowram and Wakefield Thornes are 11 points behind unbeaten leaders Wrenthorpe, whose captain Gary Fellows hit 75 and snapped up 3-7 in a seven-wicket victory at Wakefield St Michael's.

Sam Tee (45no) led Thornes to a five-wicket win against Altofts, who were sent reeling from 45-1 to 131 all out by David Meiring (3-22), Gary Rhodes (2-6), Derek Colquhoun (2-29) and Anwar Hafeez (2-43).

New Farnley kept alive their title hopes when Tom Suggitt hit an unbeaten 80 and Ian Fisher struck 53 as they recovered from 9-2 to overhaul Birstall's 179-6 .

Tim Walton (124) shared 111-run partnerships with Matthew Baxter (40) and Ashley Mackereth (70) as Townville piled up 263-4 at Batley whose reply fell narrowly short on 253, despite Ayaz Seedat's 75.

Liversedge eased their relegation worries by beating fellow strugglers Ossett.

David Bolt struck 17 boundaries in his 104 to guide Liversedge to 279-7 and Michael Warne's unbeaten 96 off 71 balls was in vain as Ossett made 239-7.

Unbeaten Hunslet Nelson increased their lead in Division One to 10 points by beating rivals Carlton by four runs.

Will Stiff (5-51) sent Carlton collapsing to 179 all out, replying to Hunslet's 183.

All-rounder Jonathan Boynton struck 101 off 76 balls and bagged 3-40 as third-placed Mirfield Parish Cavaliers stepped up their promotion bid with a six-wicket win against Methley.

Moorlands stayed in the hunt when Michael Rounding (71) and Chris Lloyd (5-44) led them to an eight-wicket victory against East Leeds.

Jamie Robson (85no), Chris Kellett (6-47) and Paul Robinson (3-26) gave Buttershaw St Paul's the edge against Woodkirk.

Scholes are bottom after a 128-run defeat at East Ardsley.