CHAMPIONSHIP A leaders Batley returned to winning ways in the Bradford Premier League as they defeated bottom team Idle by eight wickets, with Aqsad Ali producing a fine all-round performance.

Ali took 6-20 as Idle were dismissed for 136, and hit an unbeaten 50 as his side cruised home with 15.1 overs to spare. Asif Ayub (33no) helped him guide Batley to their target.

The one bright spot for Idle was the innings of Mohammed Rafiq. He made 64 and was the cornerstone of their innings.

Undercliffe halted their disappointing run with a convincing eight-wicket win over Baildon. A sparkling innings of 112 not out from Gulsheraz Ahmed, sprinkled with six sixes and 11 fours, helped them overhaul a total of 195-9.

Ahmed arrived at the wicket with his side 0-1 and was joined in a match-defining second-wicket partnership of 169 by opener Jonathan Hughes (66).

The Baildon innings was dominated by Jonny Reynolds (70), but his colleagues found the going tougher against paceman Zeeshan Qasim (6-36).

Birstall's recent good form continued as they saw off Keighley by 125 runs and secured the maximum 20 points. Half-centuries from Craig Wood (79), Ian Carradice (67) and Alexander Debs (52) enabled them to make 276 despite Keighley skipper Alex Towler taking 6-57.

Andy Wear made a determined 61 for Keighley but his side were bowled out for 151 as Alexander Drake picked up 4-29.

Steady bowling from skipper Michael Eglin (3-32) and Adeel Ashraf (3-27) enabled Saltaire to defend their total of 145 and secure a 31-run win at Liversedge.

It was a match in which all the batsmen struggled, with the top score being the 30 made by Saltaire's Amjid Hussain as Simon Kay (4-15) impressed for Liversedge.

Ossett's big-hitting opener Richard Whitehurst (74) set Ossett on course for a match-winning total of 185-9 in their home clash with Hunslet Nelson.

Veteran Jarvid Umarji (40) gave him good support while the pick of the Nelson bowlers were Derrick Hammill (3-49) and Patrick Hinchliffe (3-53).

An unbeaten 37 from Hinchliffe was the highlight of Nelson's 130 all out. Spinner Khalid Usman (3-26) and Charles Orme (3-39) were Ossett's best bowlers.