John Carruthers' men came out second best against Premier Division leaders Wrenthorpe last weekend, but in battling to earn a point and deny their opponents a maximum six-point haul they are still in the title picture and are still in prime position should their rivals slip up on the championship run-in.

Wrenthorpe's 65-run success enabled them to stretch their lead at the top to four points, but they cannot afford any slip-ups in any of their remaining four fixtures and still have to go to Methley who are in third place.

There is still plenty to play for at Birstall then, although after suffering their first league defeat of the year they know there is no room for a hangover as they must bounce immediately back to winning ways this Saturday when they are at home to Batley.

They then travel to Mirfield PC, host Ossett and finish with an away game at relegation strugglers Scholes.

Meanwhile, attention also turns to the Yorkshire Council Senior play-offs in which Birstall have qualified by being in the top two in the CYL Premier Division.

They have been drawn at home to North Ferriby from the Hull area in the quarter-finals with the tie due to take place at the Leeds Road ground on Sunday (start 12.30pm).

Birstall's second team can make it a double success for the club come the end of the season, but they also suffered a potentially crucial defeat in their Division Two game at Gildersome last Saturday.

It was a close contest that swung one way then the other, but the upshot was a 16-run win for the table topping hosts who now have an eight-point advantage over the third-placed Birstall team.

Both teams will be looking to further their promotion claims this Saturday with Gildersome at Ossett A and Birstall A away to Liversedge A.

Woodkirk are also in the promotion shake-up in Division Two, but missed a chance to go back into the top two when they lost at Townville A. Realistically they must end their recent poor run with a victory at second-placed Methley A this Saturday if they are to fulfil the promise of a few weeks ago.

Adwalton still have an outside chance of promotion from Division Three after beating Stanley A, but have to keep winning in their away game at Westwood Park if they are to climb from their current fifth position.

l East Ardsley's big weekend ahead - see page 35.