Cooper sparks dramatic Sandal collapse

Division Three side Heckmondwike & Carlinghow pulled off a stunning 58-run win at Sandal to secure a place in the semi-finals of the Gordon Rigg Jack Hampshire Cup for the first time.

Paul Cooper was their match winner with 5-3 as Sandal lost their last seven wickets for just four runs to be bowled out for 111.

The Division Two outfit looked well place for victory while Keron Persaud (45) and Matthew Westwood (39) were together but once they were parted the wickets tumbled.

Persaud was the first victim of Cooper’s bowling with the score on 107 and few could have predicted what was to follow.

Heckmondwike & Carlinghow were indebted to Qamar Shahzad (56) for rescuing them from 36-4 as they made 169 after winning the toss. Michael Carroll provided the main threat with 5-33.

Northowram Fields eased into the last four with a six-wicket win at Great Preston. Half centuries by Australian Harry Hauenstein (61no) and Colin Phillipson (52) enabled them to chase down a Great Preston score of 158 despite the efforts of Ben Wilkinson (3-27).

Sam Wright (41) and Ben Broxup (32) were the main contributors for Great Preston. Max Gardner
(3-40) was the pick of the Northowram Fields bowlers.

Buttershaw St Paul’s had little trouble cruising to a nine-wicket win over the eight men of Wakefield St Michael’s. After bowling out their opponents for 85 with Atta Ur Rehman taking 3-17, St Paul’s cruised home for the loss of one wicket with Jack Wakeling unbeaten on 42.

The fourth quarter final between Hartshead Moor and Lightcliffe will be played next Sunday.

The draw for the semi-finals will be published at 7.30pm on Monday evening.