Posted: August 10, 2008

Holders East Bierley will meet Cleckheaton in the Sovereign Health Care Priestley Shield final on September 7.

Cleckheaton will have the honour of playing on their home ground at Moorend as they bid to thwart East Bierley's bid for a hat-trick of final wins.

Cleckheaton, last season's Division Two champions, underlined their development into a formidable outfit in second team cricket as they defeated Hanging Heaton by eight wickets.

They bowled out Hanging Heaton for 129 with Ian Gatenby taking three for 33. Franny Nelson top scored for Hanging Heaton with 28.

Cleckheaton eased to victory with Marcus Walmsley making 57not out and Russ Noble (40no) as they passed the Hanging Heaton score with almost 15 overs to spare.

East Bierley were given a scare by Division Two side Gomersal before emerging with a 48 run win. East Bierley, normally a free scoring side, were bowled out for 139 as Craig Woodhead took four for 34 and Matthew Hirst (3-27). Arron Brook top scored with 31 for East Bierley.

Gomersal were dismissed for 91 in reply. Former East Bierley player Paul Huddlestone made 32 for Gomersal who crumbled against the bowling of Dan Abbott (4-34) and John Glover (3-15)