SECOND-PLACED Wakefield St Michael’s reduced Keighley's lead in Bradford Premier League Championship Two to 16 points after beating them by 43 runs in the early-morning clash at Lawkholme Lane.

Opener Mark Atkinson (60), Ayaz Seedat (47) and Charith Cooray (45) provided the foundations for a total of 227-7 despite another fine bowling performance from Paul Quinlan (5-51).

Louis Horsfield (61) and Nathan Storton (32) led the Keighley reply but they fell short of their target and were bowled out for 184. Tom Robinson was the pick of the bowlers with 4-26.

Birstall’s Matthew Dyson and Rishy Limbechaya both hit centuries during a stunning unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 238 which helped their side to 303-3 and an 82-run win over East Ardsley.

Dyson hit six sixes and 17 fours while making 142 not out while Limbechaya’s 107 not out contained four sixes and 13 fours.

East Ardsley, who are hovering just above the relegation positions, replied with 226. Their top scorer was Gary Jennings with 96 while Haseen Bashir made 48. Ryan Gray (3-54) and Peter Gregerson (3-56) proved to be Birstall’s best bowlers.

The day’s highest total was made by Altofts. They made 325-6 on their way to a 63-run win over Carlton.

Lading the way for Altofts was former Carlton all-rounder Farroukh Alam. He smashed eight sixes and 14 fours while making 141. Myles Robinson was agonisingly dismissed for 99 after putting on 171 for the fourth wicket with Alam.

Carlton were bowled out for 262 with Daniel Ford again impressing with 57 while Daniel White chipped in with 36. Liam Webb took the bowling honours for Altofts with 4-36.

Another batsman to make a century was Paul Carroll of Buttershaw St Paul’s. He made 122, an innings containing three sixes and 16 fours, and was joined in a third-wicket stand of 197 by Jonathan Burston (72no) as they helped their side chase down Northowram Fields' score of 211 to secure a seven-wicket win.

Opener Ajantha Weerappuli (46) was top scorer for Fields while St Paul’s skipper James Sawyer was their best bowler with 4-41.

Spen Victoria eased their relegation fears with a confidence-boosting 76-run win over Bowling Old Lane. Ollie Davison (68) and Evan Edwards (59) shared a third-wicket stand of 109 as Spen compiled a score of 243-9.

Old Lane faltered in reply and only a hard-hit 86 from Ayyaz Akram (86) challenged the grip of the Spen bowlers as they were dismissed for 167. Joe Wood (4-46) and Nathan Cant (4-62) did the damage.

Brighouse kept their promotion challenge going with a comfortable eight-wicket win over Hopton Mills. Opener Deron Greaves (56no) and Sohail Hussain (38no) helped them overhaul the Mills total of 136.

Mohammed Wahab took 6-33 for Brighouse as only Ashley Mackareth (34) made an impression for Mills.