BIRSTALL face a tough task at unbeaten Ossett in the All Rounder Cricket Equipment Central Yorkshire League tomorrow.

This follows losing their own unbeaten record in a 23-run Premier Division defeat at the hands of Wrenthorpe in their last game.

Veteran Paul Blakeley may have made more comebacks than Frank Sinatra but Birstall's former Shropshire A-List paceman is still turning his arm over to great effect, despite celebrating his 51st birthday this week.

He took 2-33 in 15 overs against Wrenthorpe, bowling alongside spinner Umar Rehman (4-36 in 15), and although Craig Wood went for seven an over, he did collect three wickets to leave the opposition on 191-9 in their 50 overs.

That was always a tall order for the Leeds Road side and the loss of their first six wickets for 71 scarcely helped. But Wasim Nazir hit 44 off 54 balls to put them back in the game and in the end they fell just 24 runs short of victory with 17 balls remaining.

In contrast, Ossett go into tomorrow's game in prime form – having won three games out of three played – and leaders Methley, who will join Birstall in the Bradford League next season, are at home to Wrenthorpe.

Promoted Buttershaw St Paul's, one of four sides still looking for their first win, are at home to Wakefield Thornes this weekend, while bottom club Mirfield Parish Cavaliers – also without a win – entertain Hunslet Nelson.

Buttershaw crashed to a nine-wicket defeat at Methley in their last game, despite Ahmed Yar making an early breakthrough as he followed up his 58 not out in a total of 160 all out.

Methley skipper Marcus Walmsley, the former Cleckheaton all-rounder, fell to Yar with only eight on the board but fellow opener Richard Foster (105no) steered his side home without further loss.

In the Championship Division, Liversedge go to winless Caribbean hoping to build on last week's 12-run win over Azaad at Roberttown Lane, when veteran Paul Marlow (50), Graeme Winn (4-42) and Simon Kaye (3-23) contributed hugely to their success.

Unbeaten Hopton Mills go to East Ardsley, while in Division One, Crossbank Methodists are still looking for their first Central Yorkshire League victory when they go to Adwalton. Mirfield are at home to Great Preston.