Fieldhouse reach final

Bamford Fieldhouse remain on course for a league and cup double after they swept aside Friarmere at Hollin Lane.

It was routine stuff for Andy Barton’s outfit as they lost just one wicket in their victory parade.

Friarmere were going along nicely on 68 for two, but the departure of dangerman Zafar Iqbal for 30 — the overseas amateur from Pakistan played across the line and was bowled by Mel Austin — was a decisive moment in the match.

Andy Walker, who added 46 with the Pakistani all-rounder, was trapped leg before to Simon Marshall eight runs later — one of four wickets for the ex-Lancashire man.

Apart from an unbeaten 33 from professional Asif Qayyum, Friarmere’s resistance melted away, so too their hopes of posting a competitive score. Marshall was on a hat-trick at one stage after he bowled Mohammed Azam and Gary Kershaw.

Bamford needed only 129 to reach their second straight cup final and West Indian Lincoln Roberts, with 58 not out, saw them home.