Priestley Cup: Farsley are still in the hunt for double as Saints fall

Greg Pickles sweeps for four as Farsley beat Pudsey St Lawrence in the Priestley Cup. PIC: Steve Riding

PUDSEY ST LAWRENCE'S hopes of a league and cup double were scuppered at the hands of Farsley, whose own hopes of twin silverware remain firmly intact.

The tie of the round saw Farsley book their Priestley Cup semi-finals berth at the expense of Lawrence, dismissed for 159 after the Red Laners opened with 226-7.

Leading light with the bat for Farsley was Dan Hodgson, who top-scored with 52 with captain James Smith hitting a battling 50 in reply for visiting Lawrence. Adam Ahmed (3-38) and Mark Harrison (2-25) applied the brakes for the hosts.

Farsley will host Methley in the semi-finals on July 30 after the Championship One side held sway in a high-scoring affair against Birstall (222-8) after opening with a hefty innings of 324-4.

Pudsey St Lawrence bowler Ollie Ashfod, facing, is congratulated after getting the valuable wicket of Tom Hodgson. PIC: Steve Riding

Methley opener Muhammed Akhlaq (78) and Marcus Walmsley (50) put on 122 for the first wicket before ex-Woodlands duo Jordan Laban (65) and Grant Soames (60) continued the charge.

Replying, Birstall had a crack, none moreso than Eric Austin, who hit an eye-catching century of 105, containing 16 fours, but they fell comfortably short.

Another Championship One side are through to the last four in the shape of Undercliffe (66-2), who crushed Morley in a one-sided quarter-final game after the Scatcherd Lane outfit were all out for 65 – overseas player Anas Mahboob (46no) seeing them home.

They will now visit New Farnley (232-6) in the semi-finals after the West Leeds outfit disposed of Hanging Heaton (229-8), to end their hopes of a league and cup double.

Tom Hodgson, who scored with 52 as Farsley beat Pudsey St Lawrence. PIC: Steve Riding

Defeat was tough on Tewits captain Gary Fellows, who hit an outstanding 115 not out, only to see his side lose out.

Simon Lambert (63) top-scored for Farnley.

Andrew Robinson (6-35) and Yasir Ali (4-7) helped Championship One leaders Scholes get back on track with a 59-run victory over Gomersal, James Stansfield hitting a key 51 not out.

Wrenthorpe and Methley kept up the pressure at the top with victories against Birstall and Ossett on Saturday.