BUTTERSHAW St Paul's are still awaiting their first Premier Division win of the Central Yorkshire League season after a disappointing defeat at last year's championship winners Batley.

In their seventh game the season, Buttershaw batted first and lost their first five wickets for just 41 runs.

Former East Bierley and Pudsey Congs batsman Paul Carroll (15) provided some stability in a 31-run partnership with Abubakar Dawood (29).

Ian Carradice then hit a top-scoring 41 in a 55-run stand with skipper Matthew Barnes (27no) but the final score of 157-8 was not enough to stop Batley.

A half-century from Sardar Hassan Khan (52no) saw them home by four wickets with six overs to spare, despite a 3-57 return from former East Bierley and Gomersal bowler Barnes.

Bradford League-bound Methley remain top after a 62-run win over Ossett.

Former Cleckheaton twins Ed and Marcus Walmsley took seven wickets between them after Methley had posted a relatively modest 150-9 batting first.

Birstall will certainly need the kind of performance produced by Eric Austin in the Bradford League next year.

The New Zealand-born batsman whacked 126 not out off 125 balls as his side beat Mirfield Parish Cavaliers by 126 runs to send their opponents down to third bottom.

Former Woodlands captain Tim Orrell top-scored for Parish with 80.

This weekend, bottom club Buttershaw are at home to Altofts – who are just one place better off – while Birstall go to Hunslet Nelson, Batley are at Wrenthorpe, Mirfield Parish entertain Methley and second-placed Ossett host Wakefield Thornes.

In the JACK HAMPSHIRE TROPHY, there were exits for Liversedge, Birstall, Ossett and Batley – but Hopton Mills made the draw for the next round by virtue of a bye.

* Division One side Crossbank Methodists have signed veteran Mel Wood, brother of former Lancashire and England opener Barry, to add some much- needed experience to their ranks.