DEFENDING Spenser Wilson Halifax League Premier Division champions Jer Lane were grateful to a vital seventh-wicket stand of 93 between Michael Hustler (72) and Nasir Chowdrey (42no).

That proved the difference between the third-placed club and hosts Copley, who were 31 runs short chasing 272 to win, with Mark Baldwin being bowled on 98.

Bottom club Blackley produced their best batting performance of the season in making 331-7 against Thornton to win by 150 runs, while Warley were the only top-flight team to triumph batting second after Northowram Hedge Top had made 271-9, Razwan Saghir starring with 143.

Oxenhope maintained their promotion push in Division One with a two-wicket win at Bridgeholme.

The visitors reduced the home team to 30-4 before two good partnerships took the score to 163-6, with a score in excess of 200 looking probable.

However, Nathan Storton (4-63) and Scott Mallinson (5-76) combined to send the remaining batsmen back for the addition of only 22 more runs, setting a victory target of 186.

Oxenhope were 18-2 and 111-6 before a 51-run partnership between Jim Bailey and Joe Ousey moved the score to 162 before Bailey was dismissed for an excellent 60.

Josh Tetley soon followed, leaving 15 required with only two wickets left but these were knocked off by Storton (9no) and Ousey (36no) to bring a well-deserved 12-point win.

Queensbury stayed second after a comprehensive 147-run win at home to Low Moor as two batsmen hit centuries – Tom Watson (110, 18 fours, one six) and Scott Osbourne (109, 15 fours, six sixes) – in Queensbury's 290-4.

Their 229 stand for the third wicket was a club record, with Watson making his first ton.

Tom Narey (52) was defiant for bottom club Low Moor in their reply of 143-9, Gurdev Singh taking 5-60.

Great Horton Park Chapel stayed on the tails of the two leaders with a seven-wicket success at home to Stones, with Robert Gamble (61no) steering them to victory after Zuber Patel had taken 4-38 and Hussain Syed 3-59.

Imran Aslam scored 102 and No 10 Mohammad Ali 59 not out in Denholme Clough's 270 all out at Luddendenfoot.

That proved too much for the hosts as Adil Hanif claimed 3-24 to help dismiss them for 221 to help keep Clough top of Division Two.

Cullingworth remain hot on their heels thanks to a nine-wicket thrashing of Greetland.

Ben Burkill was the star of the show, taking 3-21 as the visitors were bowled out for 170 before making an unbeaten 85 as the hosts cruised to victory.

The scorers had difficulty keeping up at Outlane as the home team made 385-7, with Alex Blagborough hitting a brilliant 144, ably supported by Lee Mellor (84) and Andrew Holding (74).

While visitors Clayton were never going to eclipse that total, at least Chris Ramsden left Old Lindley Road with a sense of achievement having carried his bat for 77 out of 143.

Shelf won by 99 runs at Upper Hopton as Billy Sugden hit 73 not out and Mark Priestley took 5-41.