Woodlands edge past New Farnley to lift Crowther Cup

Woodlands Second team celebrate winning the Crowther Cup after victory over New Farnley on Monday as the club completed a Heavy Woollen double. Woodlands now aim to win the league and target success in this Sundays Priestley Shield final at Methley.

While Woodlands are now proud holders of both the Heavy Woollen and Crowther cups, the Oakenshaw club’s second string stand on the brink of completing a historic treble.

Woodlands Seconds are two points clear of New Farnley at the top of All Rounder Bradford League Second Teams Premier Division, while they meet Bowling Old Lane in the Priestley Shield final at Methley this Sunday.

Batting first in Monday’s Crowther Cup final, Woodlands were indebted to a crucial top score of 37 not out by number nine batsman Josh Griffin.

Woodlands lost opener Cieran Garner early but fellow opener Liam Brearley went on to make 35.

A number of the Woodlands middle order made useful starts but failed to go on and make a telling contribution as Jack Carter (20), Tom Clee (28) and Rob Medcalfe (23) all fell in the twenties.

Woodlands were in trouble at 146-8 when Griffin and Stevan Pearson shared an unbroken 66-run partnership for the ninth wicket.

Griffin made 37 not out from 24 balls, including five fours and a six, while Pearson was 13 not out as Woodlands closed on 212-8.

Sam Barraclough was the pick of the New Farnley bowlers with 3-36, while there were two wickets apiece for Joe Bedford and Will Swift.

Farnley were reduced to 2-2 when they lost opener Aidan Langley and Bedford before Joe Suggitt and Alex Baldwin rescued the innings with a brilliant 123-run third wicket stand.

Opener Suggitt fell for 46 but Baldwin continued to lead the run chase as wickets tumbled around him, hitting a six and seven fours before being dismissed by Clee for a fine 77.

When Baldwin fell, New Farnley still required 22 runs to win and it proved too much as the Woodlands bowlers pressed home their advantage restricting them to 201-7 with Clee (3-40) pick of the bowlers to complete the first leg of a potential treble trophy haul.