Liversedge maintained contact with the leading clubs in the Solly Sports Central Yorkshire League First Division with a nine-wicket win at Methley A that leaves them in fourth place but only seven points adrift of leaders Hopton Mills and five behind second-placed Scholes.

It is developing into an interesting contest for the Kirklees trio but the next round of games should start to shake things up a little.

With Hopton Mills at home to Scholes in their next game, Liversedge could gain ground if they can see off unpredictable Buttershaw St Paul's, who lost by seven wickets when they took on the Hopton side in their last game.

Scholes will have to work hard to take the points at the in-form Mirfield-based side but they had few problems in their last game at home to Ossett A as Joe Duffy's 6-49 and 43no saw them home by eight wickets against Ossett A at New Popplewell Lane.

Likewise, Methley A were never really in the game against Liversedge as Simon Kay (3-10), Connor Rowlands (2-13) and Nigel Doyle (2-20) shot them out for just 84.

Alan Sumner led the Liversedge reply but was the only wicket to fall, three runs short of the Methley total and just three light of his half-century after a hard-hitting, 45-ball innings.

Mirfield, the leading club in the district a decade ago, remain anchored to the foot of the table after yet another defeat but they fell just short of Wakefield St Michaels' score of 258-8 after a fine partnership between Haseeb Hashmi (96) and Bilal Ahmed (80).

Townville are storming ahead in the Premier Division. Against Methley, Tim Walton (102) and Kylin Vardan (68) shared an unbroken 151-run stand while Nick Bresnan weighed in with 4-24 as they secured a convincing nine-wicket win.

Birstall began the season with hopes of challenging the Castleford side but, despite great knocks from Eric Austin (84), Craig Wood (60) and Rob McFarlane (56), they lost to Carlton by two wickets and find themselves level with Mirfield Parish Cavaliers, well beaten by Wrenthorpe, in an uninspiring mid-table position.

Batley, once again threatened by relegation, take on Birstall at Mount Pleasant in their next game, Mirfield Parish are at home to Ossett, and Townville have a chance to increase their lead when they go to bottom club Northowram Fields.