Broad Oak are celebrating a first Paddock Shield success since 1995.
Gavin Brooke’s side – beaten by Shepley in the Fired Up Corporation showpiece last season – went one better with a six-wicket success against Colne Valley rivals Slaithwaite.
Stephen Rushworth – a member of the Oak’s Sykes Cup-winning team as long ago as 1985 – was the star of the show, taking three for 27 as Slaithwaite were sent back for 113 and then scoring 36 in the successful reply.
Brooke, who steered his side over the line with an unbeaten 15, insisted it was a terrific all-round team display which won the day.
“We bowled fantastically well, backed it up with our fielding and then didn’t do anything stupid with the bat,” said Brooke, who was just 10 when the Oak last put the famous old second XI trophy in their cabinet.
“Slaithwaite are a good side, but we got wickets exactly when we needed them and it was just our day – with every field change and every bowling change seeming to work.
“When we batted it was just a matter of keeping our heads and, to be honest, after last year’s defeat in the final it was just a relief to get the job done.
“It was a brilliant day for the club, though, with a big raffle, barbeque and the like, and all the first team got involved to make sure things ran smoothly.”
The club’s 1995 Shield-winning captain John Forrest was present, as was Martin Field, who led the club in their previous wins that decade in 1990 and 1993.
“It was great to have them there supporting us and giving me help and advice,” added Brooke.
“All the team played really well and Rushy was fantastic with both ball and bat.
“There can’t be many who have won the Sykes Cup and Paddock Shield 29 years apart, but Rushy has now joined that club and he was deservedly named man of the match.”
No3 Adam Turner top scored for Tristan Jackson’s Slaithwaite with 30, while Josh Langfield had 21, but the rest struggled to deal with Rushworth, Phil Rigby who claimed one for 25 in 12, Nick Howard (three for 30 in 10) and Daniel Taylor (two for 18 in 10.5).
Simon Peacock gave the Oak a solid start in reply with 23 and Ben Burnett 19, while Rushworth’s knock of 36 proved pivotal. Dale Baxter did his bit with 17 and Brooke saw it through – Slaithwaite using seven bowlers in an unsuccessful effort to defend their total.
Slaithwaite 113 (A Turner 30; N Howard 3-30, S Rushworth 3-27) Broad Oak 117-4 (S Rushworth 36).
