Woodlands book cup final date with Saints

Woodlands cruised to a nine-wicket win over Bradford & Bingley last Sunday to book their place in the Priestley Cup final on Sunday August 28.
Sarfraz Ahmed will play in the Priestley Cup final as he aims to win silverware in his last season following a 16 year stint with Woodlands.Sarfraz Ahmed will play in the Priestley Cup final as he aims to win silverware in his last season following a 16 year stint with Woodlands.
Sarfraz Ahmed will play in the Priestley Cup final as he aims to win silverware in his last season following a 16 year stint with Woodlands.

They will meet treble chasing Pudsey St Lawrence in the showpiece final at Spen Victoria after the Bradford League Premier Division title chasers defeated Scholes by seven wickets.

Woodlands’ emphatic success means overseas star Sarfraz Ahmed will get the chance to win a final piece of silverware as he prepares to bring down the curtain on his 16-year career with the Oakenshaw club.

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It took Woodlands little more than 56 overs to complete an emphatic win at Wagon Lane and reach their first final since 2008.

Spinner Chris Brice was the main wicket taker with 4-11, while Sarfraz (2-19) and Kez Ahmed (2-25) gave good support as Bingley were dismissed for 101 in just 36.1 overs.

David Clow (25) and Charlie Best (20) were the top scorers in a disappointing Bradford & Bingley batting display.

Yassir Abbas dismissed Sam Frankland early but former Bingley batsman Alex Atkinson and captain Tim Jackson shared an unbroken second-wicket stand of 86 to see their side into the final.

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Atkinson hit two sixes and eight fours in an unbeaten 50, while Jackson was made 35 not out as Woodlands eased home.

There was to be no fairytale for Scholes as they suffered a heavy defeat to Pudsey St Lawrence playing in their first semi-final.

Scholes chose to bat first but were soon in trouble. Richie Lamb dismissed Neil Kellett with the first ball of the game and they soon found themselves reduced to 31-4 by Lamb (2-35) and Charlie Parker (2-14).

Captain James Stansfield (25) and Christian Jackson (23) attempted to break the dominance of the bowlers but couldn’t prevent their side from being bowled out for 106 in 41 overs.

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All of the five St Lawrence bowlers took two wickets with off spinner Chris Marsden returning the economical figures of 2-16 in his 10 overs.

St Lawrence didn’t find runs any easier to come by. They took 36 overs to achieve victory and lost three wickets along the way.

Opener Mark Robertshaw top scored with 32 although Barrie Frankland (30no) batted with greater freedom than almost anybody else in the match.

St Lawrence were knocked off top spot in the Premier Division following defeat to Woodlands last Saturday and they will no doubt want to avenge that loss when the sides meet in the cup final.

Bradford League champions St Lawrence will meet Sheriff Hutton Bridge in their much-delayed Black Sheep Yorkshire Champions Trophy first round tie this Sunday.

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