ADAM STEERS scored a century in 94 balls as Scholes lifted the Paddock Shield for the seventh time in front of a 500-strong crowd at Chapelgate.
The former Elland and Kirkburton batsman, who scored 91 the previous day in Scholes’ Premiership Two victory at Emley, took advantage of an early ‘life’ to finish with 107 in a total of 286-7 against title challengers Slaithwaite.
The Colne Valley side, whose experienced opening bowlers Chris Payne and Nigel West bowled mean spells, found it hard to keep up with the rate in reply and, despite a fine 53 from young former Scholes player Jack Bryson, they were dismissed for 166 as Craig Marsh’s side applied the screws.
Chris Lawson – who had earlier compounded Slaithwaite’s woes with a blistering 42 off only 12 deliveries (six sixes and a four) – finished with three for 41 from his 12 overs and left-arm seamer Richard Wimpenny had three for 26 off 8.2 as he wrapped up the victory.
After Payne had struck to remove Phil Birkhead for only two, Scholes flourished on the back of a 141-run partnership for the second wicket between Steers (who was dropped second ball in the gully off Payne before hitting 16 boundaries in a 106-ball stay) and Louis Sykes, man-of-the-match from their 2009 Shield success against Marsden and who finished with 54 after hitting 67 not out the previous day.
They were held up only by a short rain interruption in the 21st over and took Scholes through to 154 after 37 overs before Lawson started his assault.
After that, Ashley Pamment contributed a sensible 24 with two sixes and a four as Scholes reached their mammoth tally, although young Harry Garside impressed for Slaithwaite with five for 35 from his six-over spell. Payne had one for 32 from 10 overs while West conceded only 33 from 12.
Lawson removed Graham Holroyd in the first over before Payne (18) and Bryson shared a stand of 66 which had Slaithwaite in touch, but once Payne had gone the pressure told and they were quickly reduced to 126-6.
After that, Scholes commanded with Josh Brook (two for 52 from 12) and Pamment (two for five from three) adding to the efforts of Lawson, Wimpenny and opener Mark Floyd as Khuram Sajjad (22) and Wayne Beardsell (21) proved the best of the Slaithwaite middle order.
Steers, not surprisingly, was named man of the match by Stephen Sykes, while Ron Tindall of sponsors Spectrum Interiors (Almondbury) presented the prizes.
