BATLEY extended their lead in Championship One to 36 points with a three-wicket win over Wakefield St Michael’s on a day when their two closest challengers faltered again.

All-rounder Yasir Ali dealt a body blow to Bankfoot’s hopes of a top-two finish as he inspired Pudsey Congs to a six-wicket win.

Ali took 5-32 as Bankfoot were bowled out for 93 and followed up with an unbeaten 49 as he guided his side safely to their victory target.

Morley, despite losing by nine runs to Ossett, have actually climbed above Bankfoot bit now have Baildon, Pudsey Congs and Hartshead Moor all within striking distance after they all won. It means there is just14 points between second-placed Morley and Hartshead Moor in sixth place.

Iain Wardlaw and Danny Squire were in devastating form as Hartshead Moor bowled out Gomersal for just 22 to secure an 86-run win.

The new-ball pair quickly reduced Gomersal to 9-6 and didn’t ease up. Former Yorkshire and Scotland seamer Wardlaw took 6-11 and Squire (4-8). The biggest contribution to the Gomersal score was the six extras Hartshead Moor conceded.

Hartshead Moor had struggled for runs in their innings, but a battling 45 from opener Chris Wynd helped them to 109 which proved more than enough for victory. Spinner Chris Rhodes (3-29) and seamer Robert Warriner (4-30) were the pick of the Gomersal bowlers.

Baildon re-ignited their challenge with a five-wicket win over an East Bierley side now flirting with relegation danger.

Lack of runs was again their problems as veteran spinner Mushtaq Ahmed (4-23) helped restrict them to 142-8, Shabir Rashid top scoring with 48.

Baildon were guided to victory by their consistent Australian all-rounder Blair Oakley who made an unbeaten 58.

Baildon are now fourth in the table, three points behind Bankfoot and four adrift of Morley going into the final four games of the season.

Leaders Batley were again indebted to their overseas batsman Sami Ullah as they took another step towards promotion with a hard-earned three-wicket win over lowly Wakefield St Michael’s.

Ullah struck an unbeaten 88 and guided his side past the St Michael’s total of 150-8 despite the efforts of Junaid Delair (3-34).

The St Michael’s innings was given a sound foundation by skipper Mark Atkinson (52) and fellow opener Mitch Forsyth (39), but their colleagues found the going much tougher once Mohammed Bhoola (5-46) was introduced to the attack.

New Zealander Izaiah Lange struck a fine century as Ossett stunned Morley as they pulled off a nine-run win in a nail-biting game.

Lange hit four sixes and 13 fours while making 109 to rescue his side from 2-2. Jack McGahan (35) gave him good support as Ossett recovered to make 234-9.

Morley looked to be heading for victory as skipper Matt Baxter (98) and James McNichol (65) shared an opening stand of 171, but once they were parted Ossett hit back.

Joe Finnigan (3-52) and Max Chappell (3-56) struck crucial blows as Morley’s progress stalled as they finished on 225-8.

Bottom-team Scholes were unable to cope with the bowling of Alex Antoine (5-109) and James Rogers (4-25) as they were bowled out for 68 against a Keighley side relishing the conditions as they secured a much-needed seven-wicket win.