Richard Machell produced a stunning spell of five for 19 as Yeadon clinched the Sovereign Health Care Priestley Shield for the second time with a 10-run win over Baildon in a thrilling final at Keighley.

Machell was named man of the match for his fine bowling as Baildon were restricted to 175-8 in reply to Yeadon’s score of 185-8 in a match which provided splendid entertainment for one of the biggest crowds at a Shield final for many years.

Man of the match Richard Machell receives his trophy from JCT 600 Bradford League president Keith Moss.

Keighley also proved to be a fitting final venue and the host club's organisation was of the highest order, more than justifying the faith the league management board had placed in them.

Even a heavy storm on Saturday evening failed to spoil the big day. The rain did get under the covers - much to the frustration of groundsman Richard Robinson who had worked hard to produce what he believed to be an excellent playing surface.

The effects of the rain no doubt influenced the decision of Baildon skipper Ross Todd to ask Yeadon to bat first. He hoped there would be assistance for his bowlers and the damp outfield was likely to make scoring difficult in the first innings.

It looked as if his decision was fully justified when Yeadon were reduced to 31-3. Matt Reed, Dan Atkinson and Jamie Abbott all picked up wickets.

When Danny Hall was caught by Atkinson off the bowling of paceman Brett Kinsey to break a partnership worth 51, Yeadon were 82-4.

Baildon were exerting good pressure and Yeadon were finding it hard to get any impetus into their innings.

Much of the credit for that was due to Atkinson. He took three for 23 in his 10 overs.

Nick Hudson, who only won his place in the team by making 36 in Saturday's 144-run win over Cleckheaton, stood firm. He played with good sense as he made 45 and increased the tempo of the innings.

After he departed when in sight of his half-century, teenage wicketkeeper James Riley proved himself to be a batsman of real promise with a mature innings of 46 not out which enabled his side to finish with a challenging score of 185-8.

Atkinson was the pick of the Baildon bowlers but spinner Abbott (1-25) and Reed (2-35) both produced effective ten over spells.

In view of the damp outifeld the Yeadon score was certainly a challenging one for Baildon to chase as they attempted to lift the famous trophy for the first time.

Like Yeadon, they encountered early problems against the new ball. The aptly-named Matty Yeadon secured the first breakthrough when he bowled skipper Todd for 14,

When Richard Machell took the wickets of Afzal Khan and Tom Forster in quick succession in a six-over opening spell which saw him take 2-3, Baildon were in trouble at 20-3.

Opener Darren Wilson, who had struggled in the opening overs, stood firm and in partnership with Chris Reynolds (31) raised Baildon's spirits.

Together they added 72 and looked to be turning the game their side's way when Reynolds was caught by Danny Hall to give Yeadon his second wicket.

Wilson completed his patient half-century off 119 balls. He hit four fours, but after reaching 58 he aimed to pull a ball from Ryan Mooney and was bowled.

Tim Forster and Matt Read were both dismissed cheaply when Machell returned for his second spell and at 141-7 the game had swung again in Yeadon's favour.

It says much for Baildon that they refused to give up the fight. James Butterfield hit two big sixes and gained good support from Atkinson (17no) as the match entered the closing stages.

Baildon needed 18 from the final over to win and Butterfield raised the hopes of his team's followers by smashing Machell's first ball past long off for four.

The next delivery was to prove decisive. Butterfield swung hard but his lofted drive was caught at long off in front of the scorebox by Kieran Hanogue. Butterfield had made 39 and with him went Baildon's last hope.

Baildon finished on 175-8 and as Yeadon celebrated they had to come to terms with the realisation that their brave bid to win the trophy had ended in narrow defeat.

For loyal servant Abbott it was his sixth defeat in six finals at first and second team level with Baildon. It has to be hoped that he breaks that sequence in the years ahead and earns a winner's medal few would deny him.