Darfield bid to win Memorial Trophy to ex-player

Darfield have reached the final of the Mick Savage Memorial Trophy for the first time in its present knockout format since its introduction in 1993 following the tragic and untimely death of their fine opening batsman aged only 39.

Mick was a key member of the all-conquering Darfield side of the late 1980s and topped the South Riding League A Division batting averages in 1990.

Darfield - who always stage the final - will face Treeton after both clubs enjoyed success in their respective semis last Sunday, Darfield beating Collegiate by seven wickets and Treeton toppling Whitley Hall by eight wickets.

Both sides are unbeaten in 20 matches this season, Darfield heading Division One whilst Treeton top Division Three.

Darfield will also host the Yorkshire Council Champion-ship Division One play-off final on September 2 and have a chance of being in it as they have already qualified for the quarter-finals two games before the deadline.

Wath were to stage the final but the recent flooding dashed their hopes.

n TWO of Yorkshire’s most successful clubs of the past few years meet in a prestige cup semi-final on Sunday.

Barnsley, Yorkshire League champions last year, and top Bradford League side Woodlands, meet in the Black Sheep Yorkshire Champion of Champions Trophy semi-final at Shaw Lane (1.30).

Woodlands - who include former Sheffield United opening bowler Pieter Swanepoel - won the trophy last year thus following up their Bradford League title success of the previous year.

When the clubs met in 2005, Barnsley came out on top on their way to winning the Heavy Woollen Cup.

The other semi-final is between Bradford League champions Pudsey Congs and Craven league winners Oakworth who beat South Yorkshire League winners Treeton on the toss of a coin in the quarter-finals.