THORNTON will meet hosts Illingworth St Mary’s in the ENCO Halifax League’s Briggs Priestley Parish Cup final on Sunday, August 4.

This is a repeat of last year’s final, which Thornton won by 16 after a thrilling encounter at Copley.

Visitors Shelf Northowram Hedge Top inserted home side Thornton in the pair’s semi-final on Sunday, possibly hoping to catch their opponents cold.

However, the theory did not work, as the hosts racked up a mammoth score of 327-6 off their 45 overs, with Josh Hutchinson (83) and Max Rawson (77) top scoring.

Skipper Harry Talbot was easily the best Hedge Top bowler with an impressive return of 4-38 from his nine overs.

Facing that huge target, Hedge Top made a sterling effort, but it proved too much and they could only reach 236-6.

Daniel Barron (55) and Luke Cole (53 not out) were their top scorers as Thornton used seven bowlers in progressing into the final.

At Moderna Way, First Division Mytholmroyd’s Parish Cup adventure this season proved a bridge too far as they lost by 116 runs to top-flight Illingworth St Mary’s.

The Royd won the toss and opted to field, a decision that brought early dividends as they reduced their opposition to 30-3.

However, St Mary’s skipper Matthew Smith helped to right the situation, going on to score 83 in a 122-ball knock, only losing his wicket in the last over.

He lost five partners in the process, but at the close of the innings St Mary’s had posted a competitive 178-9.

Royd deserved credit for restricting the scoring, with the four players who bowled nine overs apiece only conceding at 3.25 runs per over.

However, that was the end of any Royd plus points as, when batting, they could only muster 62.

Only three batters reached double figures as three St Mary’s bowlers took three wickets in the 29 overs required for them to reach the final.