It's Townville v Woodlands in Shield final

Holders Woodlands will face Division One side Townville in this year’s Gordon Rigg Priestley Shield final at Hartshead Moor on September 4.

Woodlands defeated Jer Lane by six wickets while Townville overcame Premier Division rivals New Farnley by 18 runs.

Jer Lane’s normally free scoring batsmen were kept in check by the Woodlands bowlers and were dismissed for 162. Adnan Mahmood (44), Haroon Mahmood (38) and Asad Khan (32) were their top scorers as Nathan Bromby finished with 3-36.

Veteran opener Nicky Rushworth ensured Woodlands encountered few problems in knocking off the runs as he made 73.

Townville skipper Kieran Samuels, pictured top, who has scored over 1,000 runs in league and Shield action this season, made another important contribution for his side. Samuels made 72 and was backed up by Fin Walton (38) as Townville scored 214-7. Left arm spinner Sam Barraclough was the pick of the New Farnley bowlers with 4-34.

Opener Joe Pyrah (40) got New Farnley off to a good start and when Lukas Ruane continued his good form with 68, New Farnley looked poised to chase down the Townville score.

The loss of a cluster of wickets slowed their progress and the tight Townville fielding limited them to 196-8. Alfie McMillan was the pick of the bowlers with 3-40 as his side reached the final for the first time.