ALMONDBURY sprang a major surprise to reach the final of the Oddfellows Cup.
Second-bottom of the Cedar Court Conference, the Fernside club performed magnificently to defeat Frank Platt Championship leaders Barkisland by 26 runs to go through.
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And in the final on Sunday, August 5 (Noon) they will meet the second-placed Championship side Thongsbridge, who defeated Lascelles Hall by six wickets in their semi-final.
John White was the hero for Almondbury, taking four for 24 from 10 overs to help restrict Barkisland to 207 in reply to 233, of which Nadim Latif hit 53, Liam Brothers 44 and Martin Sykes 43.
Ashley Brothers also weighed in with three wickets and Mohammed Usman two as Barkisland failed to build on half centuries from Daniel Sykes and Darren Robinson.
Lascelles Hall posted 181-6 against Thongsbridge, thanks largely to 77 from Toby Booth and 42 from Charlie Mitchell.
It was not enough to trouble the Championship side, however, who are looking to go one better after losing last year’s final to promoted Clayton West.
Ben Raven-Hill anchored the reply with 69, while Tom Raven-Hill had 30 and Sajid Rasheed 43 not out.
In the Earnshaw Cup for second XIs, Delph will play Clayton West in the final (the venue for which will be drawn tonight along with the Oddfellows).
Lascelles Hall posted 156 all out against Delph, Matthew Essex top scoring with 46 and Malcolm Cunningham taking three for 32 in nine.
Delph were very solid in reply, losing only three wickets as they strolled to victory inside 32 overs. Bradley Cunningham was the rock with 51, while Paul Jewitt jnr hit 48 not out and Ian Cotterill 22 not out as Delph reached 160-3.
In the other semi, Sam Hall and Jacob Hawke had three wickets apiece as Cumberworth were restricted to 94 all out by Clayton West.
The seven-wicket victory was never in doubt as Will Lockwood hit an unbeaten 29 and Dale Baxter 22 in a 97-3 total.
