HOLDERS Thornton stormed into the semi-finals of the ENCO Halifax League Briggs Priestley Parish Cup after an emphatic victory at the Trinity Oval.

First Division Low Moor Holy Trinity chose to bat, but their dreams of a shock win soon became a nightmare as they were rolled over for 63, with only Ryan Williamson (21) reaching double figures.

First-change bowler Dominic Anderson recorded outstanding figures of 6-11, and the tie was finished in Thornton’s 10th over at 67-1 as Max Rawson (45) led his team to a nine-wicket win.

Second Division Queensbury were inserted by top-flight visitors Illingworth St Mary’s, and posted 146 in 41.4 overs.

Oliver Challis was the most successful of their batters as he scored 47 at almost a run-a-ball, as Illingworth skipper Matthew Smith took 4-32.

St Mary’s required only 31 overs to reach a winning 148-4 as Smith (55 not out) and Jamie Moorhouse (47no) put on an unbroken partnership of 81 to see their side over the line.

First Division leaders Upper Hopton were inserted by Premier Division Shelf Northowram Hedge Top at Jackroyd Lane and posted 123, with that score most reliant on the innings’ of skipper Harvey Lockwood (58) and Lewis Edmond (30).

Two Shelf bowlers excelled, Gurdev Singh (4-10) and Azhar Sharif (4-21) taking four wickets apiece.

Hedge Top struggled in reply, despite Chris Metcalf contributing 34 and Iqbal Khan producing a stoic effort with 49 from 125 balls.

At one point, the score slipped from 50-1 to 71-6, at which stage Hopton sensed a win.

Eventually it was left to the tail-enders to scramble the runs needed to ensure a two-wicket victory for Shelf.

The winning runs came with just one ball to spare, with Hopton’s Thomas Wilson (4-21) more than disappointed not to make the semi-final.

At Moderna Way, visitors Cullingworth were asked to bat first by Mytholmroyd in their quarter-final and posted 166.

A splendid effort by skipper James Bloodworth, with 86 runs in as many minutes, ensured the Cullingworth bowlers had runs to work with.

Royd’s reply was interrupted by rain, with the tie poised at 89-6, but they eventually scrambled over the line with 168-9, just about booking their spot in the semi-final draw.

It was particularly hard luck for Elliot Robinson, who almost dragged Cullingworth to a brilliant victory with figures of 5-19.