Birstall, surprisingly embroiled in a Central Yorkshire League relegation dog fight for the first half of the season, have suddenly sprung to life with three successive Premier Division victories.

Against Northowram Fields, a side on the fringes of the championship race early season, Birstall were in dominant mood.

Zafar Khan (6-62), Paul Blakeley (2-26) and Michael Kaye (2-5) bowled out the visitors for 119, Mohammed Hafeez making 43, leaving Connor Williams (62no) and Anthony Yelding (40) to knock them off with two down.

That win takes Birstall 13 points clear of Batley, in the second-bottom spot, while Ossett also boosted their survival hopes with a surprise win over reigning champions Methley.

Batley remain in trouble after a six-wicket defeat at home to Wakefield St Michaels, while Liversedge are now six points adrift at the foot of the table after a seven-wicket loss at Townville.

Jonny Trevitt (50) hit his second half-century in a row but 46 from one-time Spen Victoria man Tim Walton and 42 not out by former Liversedge batsman Matthew Baxter saw Townville comfortably home.

Heavy Woollen Cup winners Wrenthorpe are now 18 points clear at the top and could be champions elect even at this stage of the season after an eight-wicket win at Wakefield Thornes.

In Division One, fourth-placed Buttershaw St Pauls were five-wicket winners over East Ardsley thanks to a superb 127 not out from Paul Carroll.

But they remain 13 points adrift of Mirfield Parish Cavaliers in the second promotion spot behind Hunslet Nelson.