Golcar turned on the power to book their place in the arrowselfdrive Sykes Cup final – with Jack Hargreaves to the fore.

They will meet holders Hoylandswaine in the Sunday, August 10, showpiece at Honley after crushing Drakes League champions Shepley in the semi-finals.

Shepley were bidding to reach a fourth successive final and, after winning the toss, they decided to bat.

But after Andy Alsop removed Dan Wood, Hargreaves removed Kenya international Duncan Allan and key man Tom Denton (for 36) in the same over and Shepley were on the back foot (43-3 in 15) from that point onwards.

As Hargreaves turned the screw, the visitors were 89-8 with still 20 overs to go and they were eventually sent back for just 108.

Hargreaves finished with the excellent figures of five for 26, and it gave openers Niall Lockley and Steve Whitwam all the incentive they needed.

Lockley took advantage of anything in his half and with Whitwam determined to reach another final – Golcar lifted the trophy in 2009 – they raced away to be 83 without loss in just 15 overs.

At that stage they were in no mood to be stopped, Lockley going to his half century in just 45 deliveries, and when the total was reached at 113-0, he had 68 not out from 51.

Whitwam remained 41 not out from 51 deliveries and the celebrations were under way.

On their Twitter account, Golcar posted “get Monday August 11 off work!” with the hashtag “soreheads”.

Golcar keeper Mark Wilson added: “Buzzing! Bowled Jack Hargreaves and batted Niall Lockley.”

Sportingly, Shepley’s Tom Denton posted: “Fair play to Golcar CC. Better team on the day and good luck for the final.”

At Haigh Lane, Hoylandswaine’s total of 280-9 proved just too daunting for visitors Skelmanthorpe, who were dismissed for 232 in reply.

Swaine skipper Michael Cranmer was the star of the show, hitting a fine 106 and receiving fine back-up from Ryan Robinson (46), keeper Alan Mynett (45), Yasir Abbas (27) and Zafir Patel (22 not out).

Tuseif Arshad claimed four for 41 for Skelmanthorpe, who made a solid start in reply in reaching 70-1 in 15 overs.

Richard Wilkinson then got to work with the ball and he struck the vital blow in the 20th over, removing Western Australia player Tom Beaton for 51.

In-form Paul Cummins followed for 36 eight overs later, but Skelmanthorpe were edged forward by Irfan Amjad, who reached his half century with nine overs to go.

The rate was going up, however, with Wilkinson and Patel taking further wickets, and when it came to the last three overs, Skelmanthorpe were faced with an unlikely target of 62 to win.

Patel removed Amjad for a fine 88, however, and it was left to SP Singh to take the final wicket in the final over, Arshad bowled for one.

Wilkinson finished with four for 63 and Singh three for 32.

Click here to take you back to more Sports news.

Want to read, watch and hear more? You can download the FREE Examiner Apple App here, the FREE Examiner Android App here or you can view the paper as an e-edition on your Apple, Android or Kindle device by clicking here

To follow us on Twitter click here