LOUIS SYKES and Phil Birkhead were the ton-up twins to book Scholes a place in Sunday’s Paddock Shield semi-finals.
The Chapelgate openers shared an opening stand of 181 to help set up victory over Hall Bower in their held-over quarter-final.
Visitors Bower posted an impressive 265 thanks to a sparkling 126 from No3 Danny Moss after Town Ambassador Andy Booth had been dismissed four short of his half century.
Moss dominated the innings despite a spell of five for 61 from paceman Mark Floyd and two wickets apiece for Josh Brook and Adam Steers.
The reply was never in doubt as Sykes – man of the match in the final when Scholes last won the trophy against Marsden in 2009 – anchored the innings with an unbeaten 108 while Birkhead provided punch with an excellent 109.
Scholes now entertain Kirkburton at Chapelgate on Sunday (1.30) while Golcar take on Slaithwaite in the other semi-final for a place in the showpiece on Sunday August 14.
Kirkburton go into their tie having lost by just one wicket to Yeadon in the semi-finals of the Crowther Cup – after letting their opponents off the hook.
The Riley Lane side didn’t really fire with the bat, being dismissed for 179 in which Steve Jepson made 63 and James Newsome 32 not out, but they had Yeadon rocking at 53-7 until a massive revival turned the tide.
No8 Darren Machell (70) and No9 Ryan Mooney (46no) did the damage and got them over the line at 183-9 with two balls to spare despite three wickets apiece from Gavin Smith and Rob Kettlewell.
In the Drakes Second XI League programme, highest individual score of the day came from Arron Pratt of Cawthorne, who hit 192 in a total of 330-7 against eight-man Linthwaite, who were dismissed for 51.
