Gordon Riggs Priestley Cup Final: Will history repeat itself?

Statistically, lightning can strike twice.

Woodlands will be hoping that’s not the case when they face Bradford & Bingley in a repeat of the Bradford Premier League’s showpiece cup competition, the Gordon Rigg Priestley Cup.

In 2023, Bradford & Bingley’s overseas player Corey Miller won man-of-the-match for his knock of 55 in a run chase that saw out a comfortable five-wicket win.

History repeating itself?

Woodlands have beaten Cleckheaton, Pudsey St Lawrence and Townville en route to the final – which will be held at New Farnley Cricket Club on midday on Sunday 18 August.

If the Wagon Laners want to summon the spirit of 2023 and ignore their faltering league form that’s seen Bradford & Bingley flirting with relegation in ninth place, there are positive signs.

Wins against Undercliffe, Farsley and Pudsey Congs has them, once again, a complete performance away from lifting the Priestley Cup for a second successive time.

If you were to pick a winner purely on form then Woodlands have moved clear of the chasing pack, to the summit of the Bradford Premier League. They are used to winning and will want to erase the memory of that 2023 final defeat.

But this is cup cricket and no-one gave Bradford & Bingley much of a chance then either.

Top performers

Jacob Slater (Bradford & Bingley) averages 196 in the Priestley Cup after an unbeaten 124 to carry his bat in a stunning five-wicket win away at Farsley, chasing 307 to win.

For Woodlands, Brad Schmulian (pictured bowling in the 2023 final above) will always be a key wicket. He averages 75 this season in the Priestley Cup. But there are others like Muhammad Bilal who offer potency with bat and ball.

I watched misfits, house martins and hoovered curly fries at Wagon Lane earlier this season as Woodlands beat Bradford & Bingley by seven wickets in the league. Thomas Clee with 50 not out was chief finisher that day.

On the bowling front, Schmulian averages 12 and Scott Richardson 13 in the Priestley Cup. It’s true that these are mere statistical morsels. Good luck trying to predict the unpredictable.

The closest you can come is that Bradford & Bingley will have to play the game of their lives (again) to win but both clubs can count on vociferous support and with the weather set fair (currently), it will be a cracker.

New Farnley’s facilities are first-class and there will be a bumper crowd in. It’s £1 entry or £3 a car. With BBQ, wood fired pizza and no doubt plenty to drink.

Steenkamp form

Louren Steenkamp has scored over 1,000 runs for Bradford & Bingley in all competitions this season and could be a match-winner; though he’ll want to avoid the trend of stellar performances in a losing cause.

So, can lightning strike twice? Well, actually it can strike seven times. Just ask park ranger Roy C. Sullivan who, the Guinness Book of Records confirms, has an unenviable record that presumably can’t be beaten (or tested!).

Club cricket delivers showstoppers and surprises every week of the season here in Yorkshire and the Priestley Cup will be no different.

It has a proud history dating back to Allerton’s first win in 1904. Since 2018, two clubs (Woodlands 2018, 2019) and New Farnley (2021, 2022) have won back-to-back titles.

Will it be Bradford & Bingley next?

Enjoy the day if you’re attending and thanks to Ray Spencer for his photography, you can see his galleries on the Bradford Premier League website.

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