SCHOLES’ second team are flying the flag for the Chapelgate club this season (the first eleven are currently struggling) and booked their place in the Spectrum Interiors Paddock Shield final with a convincing win over Skelmanthorpe.

The reigning Shield holders sent their full-strength Cup outfit to Lidgett Lane, and with Nicky Brook leading the way with a top score of 40, backed up by brother Daryl (36), Jamie Clayton (26), Ian Bray and Craig Marsh, who each scored 25, Scholes set a challenging 203 total.

Daniel Barber (4-47) and Jamie Jagger (3-45) were the pick of Skelmanthorpe’s bowlers and Barber was also the top scorer, making 29 in the home side’s reply.

But the young Skelmanthorpe team failed to cope with the experienced Bray who finished with four for six from six overs, and after reaching 81-3 shuttered to 109 all out.

Scholes will defend the crown against the winners of the Shelley and Meltham tie, which will be played this Sunday at Westerley Lane.

On the League front, Honley continue to lead the title chase, and plunged Barkisland into further trouble with a 45-run win at Scammonden Road.

David Brooke (45) and Russ Gardner (40) not for the first time were the chief run-makers in a 176-8 tally, during which James Letven took four for 30.

Jamie Hinchliffe bagged four for 19 from 12 overs (during which he passed the 40-victim mark to the Examiner prize) as Barkisland struggled to make any headway, only No8 Robert Dixon (31) digging in.

Broad Oak are enjoying a good first season in the top flight and a nine-wicket win over Delph & Dobcross ensured they maintain second spot in the table, after a quickfire 48 from Carl Eaton saw them race to their target, Alan Wadsworth and Gareth Taylor having each taken three wickets.

Richard Whiteoak made the day’s only ton as the Elland opener led his side to a seven-wicket win over Thongsbridge, who relied on Rob Kirk’s unbeaten 52 to set up any sort of total.

Micklehurst were no match for Paddock Shield semi-finalists Shelley, who were set off with a century opening stand between Examiner prize-winner David Greaves (43) and Gary Eastwood (61).

Ex-Scholes man Gareth Wakefield (46) continued to accelerate with some lusty blows as Shelley totalled 232-7 before Kamran Khan (5-32) and Paul Goodman (3-24) kept Micklehurst in check.

In the Inter-Conference programme, Frank Platt leaders Rastrick were indebted to the extras column for providing 47 of their 135 all out total, John Edge the highest contributor with the bat making 21.

Laurence Pearson was a four-wicket performer as 10-man Almondbury fell to 105 all out in reply.

The day’s best figures of seven for 32 from 12 overs, belonged to Lepton Highlanders’ Sam Atkinson, who rocked Linthwaite for 70, supported by Michael Howley (3-9), who also top-scored with 49 in Lepton’s 142.

Another six-wicket man was Meltham’s Ervin Clarke, who pegged Slaithwaite to 91-9 chasing the Mean Lane club’s total of 188-5, Jonathan Peaker making 64.