Tahir and Hussain tons as Batley eye top spot

Mohammed Tahir and Roheil Hussain both hit centuries as Batley powered to 291-4 before skittling out their visitors for 119.

Tahir and Tauseeq Raza (39) put on 97 for the first wicket before Tahir and Hussain shared in a 116-run second wicket stand lasting just 16 overs.

Tahir was out for 106 from 109 balls with 18 fours but despite the efforts of Jonathan Gardiner (4-105) Hussain remained defiant.

He smashed 112 from only 73 balls, including nine fours and five sixes, as Batley cruised to a challenging total.

Oulton only had Gardiner (23) and Mitchell Falkingham (20) in any form as they stumbled to a heavy defeat.

Jabir Patel produced a great spell taking 5-21 while the consistent Huzaifah Patel claimed 3-32.

Batley moved up to second place, three points behind new leaders Carlton, who took six points after hosts Ossett A failed to raise a team, and ahead of Moorlands on runs per wicket ratio after they lost by 48 runs at home to Buttershaw St Pauls.

Moorlands elected to field and after solid strikes by Dan Pauley (2-30), Gary Ramsden (2-36) and Muhammad Hafeez (3-41), Buttershaw closed on 172-9.

After being reduced to 28-3 in the 12th over by Paul Robinson (2-39), Moorlands responded well as Martin Baldwin (19) and Nadim Hussain (25) shared a 47-run partnership.

A lack of support cost the hosts and they slipped away to 124 all out as fourth-placed Buttershaw closed to within two points of Batley and Moorlands.

Liversedge are three points adrift of Buttershaw in fifth place after an eight-wicket triumph at East Leeds. Waqar Ahmed top scored with 43 as the home side slipped from 110-3 to be 174 all out.

Stephen Lane claimed 3-44 backed up by Tom Smith (2-35) and Euan Hardcastle (3-18).

Opener Max Power then led Liversedge from a shaky start at 23-2 to to 177-2 in 45 overs.

Power hit 15 fours in his 92 not out from 144 balls, and he shared an unbeaten stand of 154 with Kevin Wilbraham who hit 11 fours in his 58 not out from 96 balls.

East Ardsley can breath a lot easier after a fourth league win of the season, by three wickets at home to Wakefield Thornes A.

Victory left third-bottom Ardsley just three points behind Thornes A and crucially 18 clear of Ossett A in the only relegation place.