Matthew Baxter has a tough job following his highly-successful father Andy as captain at Scholes but the 23-year-old has made a useful start and a 124-run demolition of Batley in the Central Yorkshire League will have instilled confidence throughout the side.

Veteran paceman David Battye insists this Scholes outfit are not expecting much more than a top-half finish but they could surprise themselves if this game is anything to go by.

Louis Aspeling carried his bat for 88 and, together with Andy Spencer (51), helped put on 135 for the first wicket as Scholes posted 260 for four.

Batley began their chase well against Battye and Steve Dixon and, with last week's century-maker Faiz Faisal at the crease, it looked like being a long day for the home side.

But Matthew Barnes, following up a brisk 34 with the bat, then had Faisal caught by Spencer for 43 on his way to a return of four for 50 - and with Battye, Dixon and Eddie Hoyle picking up two wickets apiece, the visitors crumbled to 136 all out.

Townville (230-7) toppled defending champions Wrenthorpe in the top-of-the-table clash as John Rickers (4-46) helped bowl out the hosts for 192.

Birstall missed a chance to keep up with the early pacesetters when they were surprisingly beaten by three wickets at home to New Farnley after being bowled out for 196.

This was after getting off to a rousing start with good knocks from Indian left-hander Connor Williams (48) and Vikram Rathour, who was unbeaten on 88.

Australian all-rounder Peter Petricola did the damage with the bat for New Farnley as he made 92 in his side's 199 for seven, despite some impressive bowling from John Carruthers (4-39).

Liversedge are finding it tough going in the top flight and struggled when chasing a total of 228 for eight at Methley, with Gary O'Neil (4-35) and Mick Waite (3-29) helping bowl them out for 139.

Former Yorkshire all-rounder Vic Craven (54) and renowned former Bradford League batsman John Proud (34) had led the hosts' batting.

Mirfield Parish Cavaliers were comfortable six-wicket winners at home to Ossett after Neil Parkinson (4-39) and Michael Padgett (3-2) had bowled out the visitors for 120.