Greg Wood during his brilliant 172 not out against Yeadon

Lorenzo Inghram

Chris Elstub

East Bierley and Farsley will battle it out in Sunday's Sovereign Health Care Priestley Cup final at Wagon Lane (1pm).

Farsley have been the surprise package in this year's competition and they have enjoyed an eventful passage to the final.

After receiving a first round bye they defeated Divison One leaders Baildon in a bowl out.

The quarter-finals saw them snatch a dramatic one-wicket win over holders Pudsey Congs.

Their last wicket pair of James Lee and Robert Thornton shared an unbroken stand of 73 as they clawed their way back from the brink of defeat to beat Pudsey Congs by one wicket.

When Farsley plunged to 111-9 in reply to Pudsey Congs' score of 181-9 even their most optimistic of followers wouldn't have bet on them winning, but Yorkshire paceman James Lee was in no mood to throw in the towel.

He seized the initiative by taking the attack to the bowlers. He struck a six and 12 fours in a stunning knock of 74 not out and gained resolute support from Robert Thornton (14no) as the game was turned on its head.

Buoyed by that success Farsley saw off Division One title chasers Bradford & Bingley by four wickets to reach their first first final since 1995.

On that occasion their opponents were East Bierley and they won by 112 runs at Wagon Lane so they will be hoping the omens are good.

But rivals East Bierley - whose last cup win was in 2000 when they completed their history-making third successive final win - will remember that in 1981 they beat Farsley by 37 runs as they completed their only league and cup winning double.

East Bierley's route to the final has been less eventful than Farsley's. They opened with an eight wicket win over Division Two side Great Horton.

That was followed by a bowl-out win over Lightcliffe which took them into a quarter final with Woodlands who they beat by 39 runs.

The semi-finals saw them crush Yeadon by 178-runs - inspired by a brilliant innings of 172 not out by Greg Wood.

East Bierley will be hoping that Wood can produce more of that brilliance against Farsley.

On paper East Bierley would appear to have the more powerful line-up. Their batting is packed with strokeplayers, men like Gharib Razak, Andrew Rennison, Lee Goddard and Scotland skipper Gavin Hamilton.

They also have a well-balanced bowling attack which has been enhanced by the timely return to fitness of Chris Elstub.

Elstub, skipper Paul Hutchison and overseas paceman Mohammad Azharullah provide the seam bowling, and they are backed up by the two consistent spinners Kez Ahmed and Luke Jarvis.

Farsley have shown in their cup campaign that they have players who can step up and make match-winning contributions when needed.

Lee has been a constant source of inspiration with his fast bowling and aggressive batting and the ever-reliable new-ball bowler Chris Henry has been a model of consistency.

Farsley are aware that their West Indian all-rounder Lorenzo Inghram is due a match-winning contribution in the cup and there could be no better time than now.

Inghram is a talented batsman and a fine left-arm spin bowler. If he fires then Farsley chances of a first cup win since 1995 will be enhanced.

Skipper David Syers, who returns after his footballing duties with Farsley Celtic, knows he needs his big guns to fire.

He will be looking for the consistent Shabbir Rashid to give their innings a good start, and for former Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire batsman to make a big contribution.

Metcalfe is one of only 12 batsmen to make a century in a cup final. Twenty-six years ago he made 122 as Farsley defeated Yorkshire Bank in the 1983 final.

A repeat performance would most welcome for Farsley as they bid to crown their eventful cup run with the scalps of a fourth Division One team, but Bierley are desperate to end their nine year wait for silverware and are determined to have their name written on the famous trophy for a seventh times.

Probable sides:
East Bierley: Steve Simpson, Gharib Razak, Greg Wood (wkt), Lee Goddard, Andrew Rennison, Gavin Hamilton, Kez Ahmed, Chris Elstub, Paul Hutchison (Capt), Mohammad Azharullah, Luke Jarvis.

Farsley: David Syers (Capt, wkt), Harpal Ryatt, Ashley Metcalfe, Gareth Phillips, Lorenzo Inghram, Shabbir Rashid, James Lee, Joe Greaves Ayuz Akram, Chris Henry, Robert Thornton.

Umpires: David Barnes, Jim Gomersal