James Crossland (167), Naveed Bhatti (70) and skipper Paul Carroll (66) helped Buttershaw St Paul’s post a massive 382-5 in the 255-run win at home to Ossett seconds but they remain eight points adrift of Solly Sports Central Yorkshire League Division One leaders Moorlands, who were ten-wicket winners at Methley A.

Liversedge lost ground when they were beaten by fellow promotion-chasers Batley, being bowled out for just 106 after the visitors had made 270-8.

Tauseeq Raza (67), Husaifah Patel (4-36) and Tariq Hussain (4-45) were the Batley match-winners.

Tomorrow's fixtures include second-placed Carlton at Ossett A, Liversedge at East Leeds, and Batley at home to Oulton, all three being well placed to pick up title-chasing points.

But the match of the day is undoubtedly the clash at the Memorial Grounds, Mirfield, where leaders Moorlands entertain fourth-placed St Paul’s.

With that points gap to make up, Paul Carroll’s men must, at all costs, avoid one of those ‘big- match’ collapses that have cost them in the past. There are only five games to go, so defeat would almost certainly mean an end to Buttershaw’s title ambitions and cast grave doubts over their promotion chances.

In contrast, a six-point victory for Moorlands would see promotion ambitions being very close to achievement.

Birstall finally ended a disastrous losing run that saw them slip into the bottom two of the Premier Division when they secured a crucial 41-run victory over fellow strugglers Wakefield St Michael's.

A century from Connor Williams (104) was the backbone of the Birstall innings, with skipper Stewart Clifton (39) helping him post a 99-run opening stand before being stumped, and the St Michael’s attack contributed a match-winning 47 wides in a total of 59 extras.

That win sees Birstall and St Michael's level on 25 points in second-bottom spot ahead of Ossett, beaten at home to Methley by nine wickets, but still seven behind Northowram Fields, who are still fourth bottom despite a rousing nine-wicket win at Mirfield Parish Cavaliers.

Tom Marsden (59) and Rob Larner (48) staged an unbroken 126-run second-wicket stand after losing Mark Gilliver without scoring.