The team that provided the biggest cup shock of the second round, Rastrick, will have their crosshairs locked onto Kirkburton in the Wisdenauction.com Sykes Cup Quarter Final. Bowlers Zafar Khan and Osama Ahmed will be tasked with targeting Kirkburton’s dangerous overseas Roscoe Thattil who has two big centuries to his name this season, despite being delayed in arriving due to the Sri Lankan terrorist atrocities in April.
Sykes Cup holders Delph & Dobcross have been handed a home draw against Broad Oak, who they defeated in their previous league match. If Charlie Roebuck can his his groove then Delph, captained by Louis Aspeling, May have their hands full on their compact ground. However their pace bowling trio of Umer Yaqoob, Muhammad Shakir and Wasim Qasim are one of the best attacks in the league so Broad Oak skipper Jack Hargreaves will be acutely aware of the threat they pose.
A mouth watering prospect is in place at Haigh Lane where the current Premiership top two Hoylandswaine and Moorlands will clash. Swaine, who haven’t lifted the Sykes Cup since 2014 will need to wait to see who of their County-registered players in Alex Lees, Harry Dearden and Arron Lilley will be available but whoever - if any - are unengaged, then they’ll still present a strong test to high-flying Moorlands. Eddie Walmsley; Moorlands captain is now available after missing the start of the season and has assembled a team to challenge for honours this season with a good range of bowlers at his disposal and lineup that bats deep.
The final Quarter Final tie pitches Golcar at home to Thongsbridge. Both sides have had moments when they’ve thoroughly impressed with league wins against more fancied opposition. Golcar can boast victories against Shepley and Moorlands, whereas Thongsbridge are the only side to defeat Hoylandswaine in the league. The Swallow Lane side are revelling in a change of captain this term, with Golcar’s Jack McNamara picking up the baton from the mercurial Steve Whitwam and the improvement has been noticeable. Thongsbridge are no longer considered as making up the numbers in the Premiership and have a firm target of silverware this season. Ben Raven-Hill, Thongsbridge skipper is reaping the benefits of a very settled team, gaining more confidence year on year.
The Fired-Up Corporation Paddock Shield has thrown up some interesting ties inn the last eight with the strongest teams left in it mostly being kept apart. Holders Kirkburton face a local derby away at Skelmanthorpe. Honley have a tough trip away to Almondbury Wesleyans and Hoylandswaine are also on the road to the lowest-ranked team left in the competition; Birkby Rose Hill. The final tie sees Edgerton & Dalton entertain Golcar.
All ties to take place at 1:00pm on Sunday 16 June. Full draw for both competitions are as follows:
WisdenAuction.com Sykes Cup Quarter Final
Rastrick v Kirkburton
Delph & Dobcross v Broad Oak
Hoylandswaine v Moorlands
Golcar v Thongsbridge
Fired Up Corporation Paddock Shield Quarter Final
Skelmanthorpe v Kirkburton
Almondbury Wesleyans v Honley
Edgerton & Dalton v Golcar
Birkby Rose Hill v Hoylandswaine
