A special day, not only because of the Second Teams success in retracing the steps taken to reach the final for a trophy regained successfully under Andy Stevens last year (see picture) but also because the club hosts the competition the final for only the third time in its history a recognition by the league to the upgrading of the ground by the committee under the Chairmanship of Steve Wales.

If the team win the trophy on Sunday they will have won it for the 12nd time and have appeared in the final more times than any other club in the Aire and Wharfe League
Wickets will be pitched at 1.00pm.

Gates open at 12.45pm, £2.00 per person concessions £1.50
Players and Officials park in the North Leeds car park ,parking for spectators will be at the top end of Roundhay School.
Refreshments all day will be from the kitchen tea/cakes etc
Bar open all day
BBQ , Bottles Bar and Bubbles in a gazebo in the net area .

The Route to the Final – By Ian Chappell

Captained in all first 4 games by Joel Morley due to the hospital duties of James Burnett , the 2nd X1 have had a straightforward run in to defending the Birthwhistle Cup which they won in their Double last year. The final is at North Leeds against Ilkley on Sunday 13th August 1pm start.

Ironically drawn at home to Beckwithshaw, last year’s losing finalists to North Leeds, in the first round North Leeds posted 283-5 in their 45 overs thanks to a century by Faddi Lak of 115 and 45 each from Callum Carson and Anil Chana with Carson and Lak adding 88 for the 2nd wicket and Chana and Lak 109 for 3rd wicket. They bowled Beckwithshaw out for 140 in 28.4 overs with Andy Stevens taking 3-30.

The second round was home to Rawdon with North Leeds thus time scoring 272-7 in their 45 overs with another century ( 104) by Faddii Lak with 16 fours and 1 six, and useful contributions from Chris Baird 39, Anil Chana , Nuaman Khan and Harry Kellaway before Rawdon were bowled out for 124 with Andy Stevens again the leading wicket taker with 3-25.

The hardest game was the quarter final away at Otley. North Leeds made a poor start losing 4 early wickets but Anil Chnaa with 28, Harry Kellaway 30, Andy Stevens 26 and Nick Summerscales with 40* in 39 balls and 3 sixes took them to 183-7. In reply Otley also losty early wickets and were bowled out for 152 in 40 overs with 3-34 by Jack Harland and 3-25 by Andy Stevens to take them to a home semi-final.

This was against Burley who were bowled out for 94 in 26.4 overs with 3 wickets each for Joel Morley, 3-16, Nick Summerscales, 3-31 and Steve Wales 3-12. An unbeaten opening partnership of 96 between Chris Baird with 62* and James Burnett 29* took them to an easy 10 wicket victory.

For the final on Sunday Faddi Lak has played too many 1st X1 games to play.

The selected side is as below but subject to change depending on Steve Wales’ availability with his Yorkshire Over 50s commitments.

NORTH LEEDS CUP FINAL TEAM
1. James BURNETT *
2. Chris BAIRD
3. Ben CAWOOD
4. Anil CHANA #
5. Amir FAROOQ
6. Nuaman KHAN
7. Andy STEVENS
8. Nick SUMMERSCALES
9. Steve WALES
10. Jack HARLAND
11. Joel MORLEY
12th Man. Harry KELLAWAY
Scorer: Becky GRADY ( North Leeds)