Posted: June 29. 2008

Woodlands had to produce another of their great escapes as they finally gained revenge for their defeat by Bradford & Bingley in the 2003 Sovereign Health Care Priestley Cup final.

The league champions were in deep in trouble at 24-5 in reply to Bradford & Bingley’s modest score of 127 all out after veteran seamer Richard McCarthy took four for six in a superb ten over spell.

But experienced duo Nicky Rushworth and skipper Tim Orrell came to their rescue .They shared an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 104 with Rushworth making 49 not out and Orrell (38no) as Woodlands won with seven overs to spare.

Opener Carl Sharp carried his bat in the Bradford & Bingley innings for 52 not out. Unfortunately his team-mates were unable to match his application.

Holders Pudsey Congs had all-rounder Glenn Roberts to thank for their 74-run win over Yeadon.
Roberts made 40 as Congs recovered from a poor start to make 169-9 then took three for 22 as Yeadon were dismissed for 95.

Last year’s beaten finalists Cleckheaton also had a few anxious moments before beating Division Two’s bottom team Hartshead Moor by 79 runs.

Cleckheaton’s early batting failed, but Craig Thornton (56no) and Rhys Jowett (40) led a recovery which enabled them to reach a challenging 183-8. Hartshead Moor were bowled out for 104.

East Bierley clinched their place in the last eight with a 101-run win over Baildon. Skipper Gavin Hamilton made 54 and Andrew Rennison as they posted a score of 256-8 against a Baildon side without their three injured seam bowlers Craig Hitchenor, Stuart Lemon and Andy Walker. Baildon were dismissed for 155 with Kez Ahmed taking 4-11 and Durham paceman Mitch Claydon (3-36)

Saltaire saw off the challenge of Division Two promotion chasers Idle by 82 runs. Saltaire made 170-7 with teenage batsman Tom Slater making 41 and overseas player  Rahul Kanwat (34). Idle were bowled out for 88.

Esholt clinched their place in Monday night’s quarter final draw with a four-wicket win over Morley. Esholt dismissed their rivals for 93 but lost six wickets getting to their victory target.

Manningham Mills are also in the last eight after a 36-run win over Great Horton. Overseas player Qaiser Abbas (56), Wajjid Hussain (36) and Nissar Jamal (36), helped them to a total of 194-9. Young Moin Ashraf (5-24) was the pick of the Great Horton batsman.

In reply Great Horton made 158 all out with Ziafat Ashraf  (44) and Moin Ashraf (32) being the top scorers. Nissar Jamal (4-32) and Amjid Khan (3-27) bowled well for Mills.
The tie between Farsley and Bowling Old Lane will be the subject of a Management Board inquiry after it was abandoned with Farsley 62-2 in reply to Old Lane’s score of 120.