With only six points separating the top five teams, this weekend gives each of the leading Central Yorkshire League clubs the chance to crank up the pressure on their rivals in the Division One promotion race.

Liversedge lead the way while Buttershaw St Paul’s, joint-fifth with Batley, still have a game in hand on Carlton and Moorlands above them and go to Batley for what could produce a feast of runs.

Buttershaw powered to 313-9 against East Ardsley last week thanks to Naveed Bhatti (91), Abu Dawood (60) and Chris Kellett (51no), before dismissing their opponents for 227.

And Batley hit 352-4 at Methley A (238) as Ayeez Seedat’s 151 not out was backed up by Bilal Abbas (56) and Mohammed Tahir (53).

Conversely, Liversedge moved top with a win at Oulton in a match that produced only 208 runs.

Max Power (62) and Will Atkin (41) struck most of Liversedge’s 142, before Simon Kay’s 6-18 off 11 overs helped roll over Oulton for 66.

Mid-table Wakefield Thornes A should provide stiffer opposition in Sedge’s next game at Roberttown Lane. Moorlands have a free week, while Carlton are at Oulton.

In the Premier Division, Birstall host Northowram Fields with only one point separating the two clubs after defeats for both left them just three and two points respectively clear of second-bottom Wakefield St Michaels.

Former skipper Paul Marlow must be wondering how victory escaped his Birstall side at Mirfield Parish Cavaliers last week.

With only three runs needed to overhaul the Cavaliers’ 241 and two wickets in hand, Marlow (41no) could only stand and watch as Michael Padgett removed Matthew Butler and Kevin Watson in successive balls at the other end.

Northowram, despite determined knocks from Ben Grech (62no) and Mark Gilliver (48), crashed to a nine-wicket defeat at the hands of Wakefield Thornes, who kept up their pursuit of Wrenthorpe and Methley in the top two positions.