Wrenthorpe held up in title chase (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Wrenthorpe held up in Central Yorkshire League title chase

9:23pm Friday 7th September 2012 in Sport By Sports Desk

Wrenthorpe suffered a surprise setback in their quest for a clean sweep of trophies involving Central Yorkshire League clubs when they were beaten by 133 runs at New Farnley in the Premier Division.

Openers Matthew Good (89) and Montcin Hodge (74) got Farnley off to a great start, on the way to 240-6, before spinners David McCullam (5-42) and Ian Fisher (2-12) finished the job.

Undaunted, Wrenthorpe bounced back the following day to lift the Heavy Woollen Cup with a 61-run win over Townville at Liversedge .

One-time Windhill and Pudsey Congs all-rounder David Paynter (5-25) did the damage after former Spen Victoria and Northamptonshire opener Tim Walton (51) had given Townville a good start.

The two sides meet again in the league this week and if Wrenthorpe take maximum points they will clinch the championship if Methley fail to win at Hunslet Nelson.

At the other end of the table, Birstall host New Farnley desperately in need of a win to steer clear of relegation after being crushed by 128 runs at Methley.

With Batley, who are next at Northowram Fields, securing a 101-run win over Mirfield Parish, it is developing into a real scrap at the bottom.

Northowram, still not clear of the drop, eased their worries with a two-wicket win at Wakefield Thornes as Mark Gilliver (53) and Jacob Waterson (79no) topped the scoring.

In Division One, Huddersfield League-bound Moorlands and Ossett are still battling it out for the title after wins over Hopton Mills and Thornes A respectively.

Buttershaw St Paul’s and Liversedge will settle for a mid-table spot regardless of the outcome of this week’s key games at Moorlands and at home to Ossett respectively.