Rathour leads Birstall run romp (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Rathour leads Birstall run romp

11:31am Tuesday 30th June 2009

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Birstall edged back into Central Yorkshire League contention as they closed the gap on long-time PREMIER DIVISION leaders Methley to eight points.

This followed a 39-run derby win over Batley at Mount Pleasant in a game that yielded over 600 runs.

Birstall posted a daunting 327-7 batting first, with former Indian Test batsman Vikram Rathour (115) collecting his third century of the season and Rob McFarlane adding another 69 runs to boost his total to 989 in all competitions.

Rathour’s tally is 888 and, with 12 half-centuries and five centuries between them, the Birstall duo’s efforts are a key factor in their bid to retain the title they won so dramatically last summer.

Batley were never going to give up despite such a huge total to chase and, with in-form batsman Ayaz Seedat collecting 110, they did enough on 288 for eight to deny their opponents maximum points.

Only eight points separate the top five teams and, with each having lost three games, this looks like being another hard-fought championship contest.

Liversedge have lacked a little consistency so far but skipper Simon Purdy (4-46) and South African Johnny Hermitage (6-53) bowled out Altofts for 146 at Roberttown Lane.

An unbroken century stand from Danny Broadbent (58no) and Azhar Chunara (51no) then helped them secure a nine-wicket win to climb into a solid mid-table position.

Wakefield St Michaels’ victory over Carlton lifted them into pole position in the DIVISION ONE title race but Carlton’s slip let Buttershaw St Paul’s back into the promotion race.

A convincing 123-run win at Gildersome lifted Bradford side St Paul’s to within two points of second-placed Carlton and seven behind the leaders.

But with Gildersome closing on 161 for eight, the failure to bowl sides out might yet prove costly for Buttershaw.

Dave Horsfall (57), Naveed Bhatti (56), Gary Wainwright (41), Paul Carroll (39) and Ian Carradice (38no) were among the runs as St Paul’s posted an imposing 284 for six.

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