Paynter century sets up title celebrations

WRENTHORPE are league champions for the first time since 2006.

They clinched the Premier Division title with three games remaining by beating closest rivals New Farnley by 39 runs.

Ian Fisher's 112 was in vain for New Farnley, who were kept at 241-9, replying to 280-9 that featured 108 off 94 balls by David Paynter.

Altofts and Batley both won to improve their chances of avoiding relegation.

Opener Alan Burton's unbeaten 87 guided Altofts to 183-9 against Townville, who were toppled for 145 by Asim Khan (4-27), Brent Law (3-23) and Michael Trevathan (2-25).

Townville's defeat was hard on Tim Walton (57) and Ritchie Bresnan (4-42).

Replying to Batley's 251-9 that included 62 by Mohammed Tahir, Birstall salvaged a batting point by recovering from 107-8 to close on 205-8 thanks to an unbroken ninth-wicket stand between opener Connor Williams (109no) and Zafar Khan (32no).

Liversedge and Ossett slipped deeper into relegation trouble.

Simon Stirling (72) and Jake Thorne (54) steered Wakefield St Michael's to 237-9 against Ossett who were sent reeling from 68-2 to 100 all out in reply by Michael Carroll (5-36) and Alex Leyshon (3-26).

Nick Connolly (71), Hamid Khan (51), Chris Holliday (46), Hemantha Alles (4-36) and John Rickers (3-38) led Methley to a 71-run win at bottom-side Liversedge.

Openers David Meiring (67) and Richard Foster (50) put on 125 as Wakefield Thornes overhauled Northowram Fields' 160-9 that included a half-century by Bradley Hauenstein.

Hunslet Nelson need just four points from their last three games to clinch the Division One championship.

They retained a 14-point lead over Mirfield Parish Cavaliers with a 77-run victory at Scholes who were bowled out for 135 by Phil D'Arcy (4-31) and Danny McTernan (3-14).

Parish Cavaliers collapsed from 92-3 to 101-9 before scraping a one-wicket win at East Ardsley, who were skittled for 115 by Sam Pinder (4-37) and Michael Padgett (3-14).

Moorlands and Buttershaw St Paul's saw their promotions hopes end when they both suffered defeats.