Brilliant Scholes reach cup semi-final

The New Popplewell Lane side may be languishing bottom of the All Rounder Bradford Premier League but put that form behind them to inflict a seven-wicket defeat on Lightcliffe.

The sides had met in the league the previous day when Scholes appeared on course for victory until rain dashed their hopes but there was no denying them in Sunday’s delayed cup quarter-final.

Opening bowler Yassir Ali dismissed the top three Lightcliffe batsmen in a crucial spell of 3-37.

Joe Duffy (3-20) also picked up important wickets later on and although Rhys Jowett (32no) and Rob Burton (31) led the way for Lightcliffe, they were resticted to 155-8.

Opener Kasir Maroof (32) played an important part in the successful run chase but it was overseas player Rizwan Ahmed who guided them to victory with an unbeaten 79, which included two sixes and seven fours in a match which suffered from interruptions for rain.

Scholes’ reward is another home tie against champions Pudsey St Lawrence this Sunday when they will be hoping to secure a place in this year’s final at Spen Victoria.

The other semi-final sees Woodlands travelling to cup holders Bradford & Bingley, with both matches starting at 1pm.