SCHOLES have been the most successful side in the Paddock Shield over the last 20 years – winning the Second Eleven knockout on no fewer than six occasions.

And that is quite remarkable considering the Chapelgate club joined the Drakes League only in 1988 and then had to wait four years for their first success.

Since then, only Honley, who lifted the trophy four years on the bounce from 2000 to 2003, come anywhere near the conversion rate of Scholes, whose last success was in 2009 when they beat Marsden at Hemplow.

Tomorrow, Craig Marsh will lead Scholes into battle against final opponents Slaithwaite, hoping to make it a lucky seven, and banking on home advantage playing a big role in the outcome.

“They have already beaten us once in the League this season, and in recent times we haven’t had a great record against Slaithwaite,” admitted Marsh.

“But I think having home advantage is a big help, and we have a side full of all-rounders, with one or two players in really good nick at the moment.

“Phil Birkhead made a big 150 last week and Ashley Pamment got 80 and a ton a couple of weeks back, and they will be important players, particularly Ash who has lots of experience and has led the first team to victory in the Premiership and captained Golcar to victory in the Sykes Cup.

“We have some good young players as well as plenty of experience through Adam Steers, Richard Wimpenny and Gareth Wakefield, while Chris Lawson could also play a big role for us.”

Marsh has named a 12-man squad, but will not decide who the 12th man is until tomorrow.

Slaithwaite’s last success in the Shield came in 1999 – the same year the club completed a Sykes Cup-Shield double.

But that shouldn’t disguise the fact that the Hill Top club are the third most successful club in the history of the competition with eight victories against their name.

Former first team player Richard Haslam captains Slaithwaite – who are the current Premiership Two champions, and heading into today’s League game were in second spot, behind Kirkburton (their visitors).

“It promises to be a busy weekend, what with taking on Burton and then visiting Scholes at Chapelgate for the final,” said Haslam.

“We’ll be without our regular wicketkeeper Matthew Payne, who is away on holiday, so Lewis Bradley will take over behind the sticks, but apart from that we are at full strength.”

Like Scholes, Haslam has plenty of experience to call upon, not least himself, along with veteran Chris Payne (now playing with Yorkshire’s Over 50s), Graham ‘Chopper’ Holroyd, Nigel West and Wayne Beardsell.

With only three points separating the two sides in second and fourth place in the Premiership table, it’s difficult to pin a favourite’s tag on either team, although home advantage can sometimes tilt the balance.

“We’ve already beaten them in the League once at their place, but that certainly won’t count for anything tomorrow,” added Haslam.

“Hopefully it should be a good entertaining game between two evenly-balanced sides.”