Moorlands exit cup despite brave challenge

Moorlands went into the game full of confidence after they moved top of Central Yorkshire League Division One the day before but they suffered early setbacks, losing four wickets as they were reduced to 35-4 before fighting back in impressive style.

Chris Stott and Muhammed Hafeez produced an 86-run stand for the fifth wicket as Moorlands progressed from 35-4 to 121-5 when Stott fell to Joe Ellis for 37.

Hafeez (43) also fell to Ellis with the score on 121.

Gary Fellows was introduced and he whipped out three of the Moorlands tail enders to finish with 3-21 from five overs as the visitors closed on 135-9 from their 40 overs.

Moorlands were given an early boost when Andrew Walker had former Mirfield Parish Cavaliers batsman Eric Austin caught by Michael Rounding without scoring.

However, Fellows and Bradley Parker then produced a match changing stand as they put on 82 runs for the second wicket.

Fellows eventually fell to Hafeez having hit 11 fours and a six in his 60, while Parker then led Wrenthorpe home with 56 not out as the home side cruised to an eight-wicket win.

Wrenthorpe will meet Townville in the Jack Hampshire final at Methley on August 14.

Townville were re-instated into the semi-final as Farnley, winners of the quarter-final, were excluded after it was judged they had played an ineligible player.

Townville reached the final with a thrilling two-wicket victory over holders Methley last Sunday.

Methley were led to 225-5 from their 40 overs by impressive knocks from Nick Connolly (51) and Hemantha Alles (60no).

Jack Hughes (54), John Trower (48), Naveed Sayeed (34) and Alex Page (28) led Townville’s reply before Richie Bresnan saw the hosts to a thrilling two-wicket win, with just three balls remaining, as he finished 28 not out.

Both Wheatley Cup semi-finals were washed out last Sunday and have been rearranged for Sunday July 31 due to this week’s CYL Twenty20 finals day at Northowram Fields.

Birstall host New Farnley, while Buttershaw St Pauls entertain Wrenthorpe.