Birstall have been hit hard by Connor Williams’ early return to India.

The prolific 39-year-old left-hander has enjoyed one of his best years in the Solly Sports Central Yorkshire League, and in a season when some prominent batsmen have had a job getting the ball off the square, when its been dry enough to get on in the first place he has rattled up over 1,000 league and cup runs.

“We knew he was going to miss a couple of games at the end of the season,” explained former skipper Paul Marlow, “but he has had to go back a bit earlier than expected.

“He no longer plays first-class cricket back home, which would have stopped him getting a visa to play next year, but he has been appointed as coach to Baroda State and they wanted him back to prepare for their new season.

"It is a great pity for us as Connor was playing as well as I have ever seen him.”

The Premier Division strugglers find themselves only four points clear of relegation with four games to go.

Following their abandoned game at home to Carlton, who are also in the dogfight to stay up, they go to second-placed Methley on Saturday with one eye on Northowram Fields at Wakefield Thornes.

Only five points separate seventh-placed Thornes from second-bottom Northowram, and that game could have a crucial impact on relegation.

Batley, at home to Mirfield Parish, remain in last place with ten points to make up on third-bottom Carlton and survival is looking a big ask but the other end of the table sees Wrenthorpe already poised to take the title with a 15-point lead over Methley.

Huddersfield League-bound Moorlands, at Hopton Mills on Saturday, remain top of the First Division, with Ossett, at home to Thornes A, currently second but only Hopton Mills managed to complete a fixture in this division last week.

The eagerly-anticipated clash between Liversedge and Buttershaw St Paul’s was rained off and this Saturday the two sides now play at East Ardsley and home to Methley A respectively, with nothing but a mid-table finish in prospect.

Perhaps the unluckiest team of the week were Third Division Westwood Park, who had Carlton A at 59-8 chasing 207 when play was abandoned.

Westwood, level on points with New Farnley A and Wakefield St Michaels A, are third by virtue of one less outright win.