Bradford derby coming up in Craven League cup semi-final

Bowling Baptists, winners of Group A, will be at home to Hepworth & Idle, runners-up in Group B, on Sunday, July 14.

The other semi-final is between Group B winners Gargrave, who are the holders, and Bradley, runners-up in Group A.

Bowling Baptists finished off their mini-league in style by thrashing visitors Ingrow, despite them making 165-6, Sohail Butt returning the outstanding figures of 3-11 from eight overs.

Mohammed Zulfiqar Khan then dominated proceedings after tea by hitting an unbeaten 122, with 10 fours and nine sixes, as Baptists won by nine wickets in just 18.5 overs.

Meanwhile, Division One Haworth Road Meths fell to a surprise seven-run defeat at Division Two Airedale, who made 167 after winning the toss, Tom Kaznowski (3-20) and Goyer Ayoub (3-26) getting among the wickets.

Meths were sitting pretty at 130-3 but also stuttered, being dismissed for 160, after 74 from opener Naseeb Ali off 70 balls.

In Group B, Hepworth & Idle made certain of progress by winning a tight match at home to Wilsden, who made just 114 after being sent in.

Keeper Majid Jahangir made 45 of those in a recovery from 49-5, but no-one else reached 20.

Brothers Jonathan and Alex Robinson, along with Mark Harland, took two wickets apiece, while young Noah Henry impressed with 3-18.

The Westfield Laners had a shock after tea when they were 7-3, but a brilliant innings from Jamie Topham (61no) saw them home by three wickets.

The wickets were taken by Owen Pacey (3-35), Sam Mitchell (2-18) and Ben Mitchell (2-27).

Eldwick & Gilstead lost a close one to Long Lee at Grange Road, with the visitors making 182-7 after winning the toss, Jordan Bayliss taking 3-45, Palwinder Kumar 3-37.

The twin villages were in dire straits until No.6 Arnie Raistrick hit 68 and No.8 Bayliss struck 41, but they were still dismissed eight runs short of victory.

Family loyalties were tested at Sandy Lane in the John Clayton Cup when father and daughter Tim and Elizabeth Crossley, who is 20 and plays for Airedale II, were up against son and brother James, who is 18 and plays for Bradford & Bingley III.

The Crossley family at the Bradford & Bingley III versus Airedale II match over the weekend. (Image: UGC.)

Bingley, sent in, made 183-7, with 12-year-old Hugo Nolson continuing his stellar start to life in senior cricket by scoring 60.

James Crossley scored 36 at No.3, with Elizabeth returning Airedale’s best bowling figures with 2-38.

Tim then scored 22 opening the batting, being caught and bowled by his son, but he was comfortably the top scorer as Airedale were dismissed for 61.

Through to the semi-finals of the 40-overs-per-side competition on Sunday, July 14 are three of the teams who featured in the last four in 2023.

Silsden II, who were runners-up, entertain Skipton CI II in a repeat of their 2023 semi-final, while the other losing semi-finalists, Sutton II, are at Menston IV.

Denholme who finished fifth, won their final group game at home to Bowling Baptist II, who were dismissed for 123 after being sent in.

Denholme then won by four wickets in the 27th over, despite Khalid Mahmood taking 4-21.

Hepworth & Idle III proved no match for Skipton CI II at Cambing, being toppled for 88 after being sent in.

CI then only lost two wickets in triumphing in the 18th over.  

Through to the Cowling Cup T20 finals day at Hepworth & Idle on Sunday, August 18 are 2023 beaten semi-finalists Cowling II, who will kick-off proceedings against Ingrow II at 10am, followed by Bradley II against the hosts’ second XI at 1.30pm, with the final to follow at 4.30pm.

Group winners Cowling II should have been in double-header action, but received a walkover from Bingley Congs III so only faced Keighley III.

Bradley II scored 109-9 at Wilsden II after being sent in, with Ali Khaliq taking 3-16.

Wilsden were then restricted to 83-9, Luke Stableford making 31.

Meanwhile, Long Lee II conceded to Hepworth & Idle II.