Birstall finally beaten

12:02pm Tuesday 19th August 2008

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Birstall lost their long unbeaten record in the Central Yorkshire League Premier Division when they went down by 65 runs in their top-of-the-table clash with leaders Wrenthorpe at Leeds Road.

This was a game Birstall needed to win to give them a realistic chance of carrying off the title this year but, on the day, Wrenthorpe lifted their game.

Birstall were chasing a total of 275 for six but were left with just too much to do.

Connor Williams (64), Rob McFarlane (54) and Vikram Rathour (33) gave Birstall a useful start but they were always behind the clock and in the end were indebted to teenager James Keen (31no) for securing a point and denying the visitors a maximum six.

Former Windhill and Farsley opener John Proud hit a fine century for Wrenthorpe on a day when the home side’s attack were found wanting.

Former Pudsey St Lawrence and Yorkshire all-rounder Gary Fellows took five for 38 to clinch a crucial victory for the visitors and leave them four points clear with four games to play.

In Division One, relegation-threatened Buttershaw St Paul’s improved their survival hopes when they completed a surprise eight-wicket win at promotion hopefuls Altofts after bowling them out for just 67.