THE last quarter-final match in the Church Times Cricket Cup competition was played late last week. Both roses teams are now through to the semi-finals, which will be London v. Leeds, and CBD v. Exeter, opening up the possibility of a cross-Pennine final.

Carlisle/Blackburn/Durham played Lincoln at Harrogate Cricket Club on Thursday of last week. The original fixture had been washed out, leaving both teams weakened.

Accurate opening bowling from Wills and Fyfe quickly ate into Lincoln’s batting line-up before McNally ran through Lincoln with a superb spell (5-3-4-4). Lincoln’s total of 66 all out was thanks largely to a watchful 17 from Cobhan who opened the batting, and Watson’s bright and brisk 18, which briefly threatened to turn the tide before he was bowled by a magnificent delivery from McNally, neatly taking off the leg-side bail. CBD’s former captain, Sarvananthan, now playing for Lincoln, also contributed a flamboyant 16, before falling to a sharp catch behind the wicket. CBD’s fielding was generally excellent, and never allowed Lincoln to get away.

The total was simply too small to defend, and CBD reached the total in the 14th over. Despite losing both openers, Wills had laid an unassailable platform, after which Woolford and Bing combined effectively to book CBD’s first semi-final for six years.

Lincoln 66 all out in 19.4 overs (McNally 5-4, Fyfe 5-22)

CBD 67 for 2 in 13.4 overs (Wills 36, Woolford 18*; Cobhan )

CBD won by eight wickets.