There seems to be no stopping Birstall ’s classy left-hand opener Connor Williams, who so often makes the headlines in the Central Yorkshire League.

If Birstall survive yet another shaky season in the top flight it wouldn’t take Sherlock Holmes to work out whodunnit!

In a season when so much cricket has been adversely affected by the weather, Williams has soldiered on as if he was back home in the sunshine of Baroda without a care in the world.

His side’s game at Batley was another potential banana skin, with both sides in relegation danger, but batting first, Williams effectively put Batley out of the game in the first innings when he carried his bat for a magnificent 118 that took his season’s run tally past 950.

He has the opportunity to hit four figures at home to lowly Carlton tomorrow.

There can be few players anywhere expecting to hit 1,000 runs this summer but the 39-year-old Indian looks set to make it with ease.

Unfortunately, this may be his last season in England due to changes in visa regulations and his loss will be a huge blow to Birstall and CYL enthusiasts everywhere.

That win at Batley, by 57 runs, lifted BIrstall eight points clear of relegation and left Batley anchored to the foot of the table but, with only 12 points separating the last six teams, a scramble to avoid the drop still looks likely.

Batley face a tough game at Hunslet Nelson tomorrow while Mirfield Parish seek to consolidate their top half position at home to Wakefield Thornes.

In Division One, Moorlands, at Oulton, and Ossett, at home to East Leeds, had to work hard for the victories that kept them in the top two places but while Buttershaw St Paul’s had a welcome three-wicket win over Wakefield Thornes A they look well out of the promotion race.

James Sawyer, with 5-27, helped put out out Thornes for 147 then Buttershaw finished three-wicket winners thanks largely to a fine 55 from Muhammed Naveed Bhatti.

Moorlands continue their quest for the title at home to Wakefield St Michaels tomorrow while Ossett go to Scholes hoping for another performance from Yorkshire's Richard Pyrah like the 5-13 that demolished East Leeds.

Liversedge , like Buttershaw, can hope for little more than a mid-table finish but which team finishes top of that pile could depend on tomorrow's clash at Roberttown Lane.