OAKWORTH are on course for a treble after winning the Keighley Twenty20 Cup.

The Craven League defending champions, who have already won the Wynn Cup, are top of the First Division with three matches left, and skipper Michael Scarborough is happy with this team’s position in the table, despite losing to second-placed Ingrow St John’s – a result that cut their lead to one point.

However, Oakworth put aside the disappointment of that defeat by gaining revenge on their rivals with a 12-run win in the Keighley Cup final at Keighley Cricket Club the following day.

Scarborough said: “Ingrow St John’s beat us, but we are still top of the league and on course to win the treble, which we last did in 2001.”

St John’s reached the final by beating Aire-Wharfe League club Silsden by 42 runs.

Farhan Abassi top-scored with 57 not out, including three sixes and four fours, and received good support from opener Omar Khatab (28) as St John’s made 151-9.

Ali Khalid then took 3-27 as Silsden were bowled out for 109, opener Gulsheraz Ahmed top-scoring with 34.

Oakworth beat Riddlesden by 14 runs in the other semi-final, which was in the balance until Riddlesden’s late batting collapse swung the game in Oakworth’s favour.

Adam Smith made 53 and Brannan Lawn 36 as Oakworth totalled 150-8, and Riddlesden were favourites as they reached 75-1 at the halfway mark, led by Mohammed Shahnawaz, who hit five sixes and three fours in his 51. However, they lost five wickets for 11 runs and were bowled out for 136.

Oakworth were all out for 136 off the last ball of their 20 overs in the final, but St John’s found it tough going in reply against some tight bowling and alert fielding and still needed 50 to win off the last five overs.

The Oaks struck the crucial blow at the start of the 19th over when Smith bowled potential match-winner Khatab, who made 63, including six fours and one six, and St John’s were forced to settle for 124-7.

Scarborough, who took 3-24 in the final, said: “We are quite confident we could defend our total if we could bowl and field well on this big ground. We put pressure on them early doors when the fielding restrictions were on, and to bowl out Omar Khatab was a crucial wicket.”

Oakworth’s Brannan Lawn was named man of the match in the semi-final and final.

Semi-finals – Ingrow St John’s 151-9 (F Abassi 57no, O Khatab 28, K Lawrence 3-40), Silsden 109 ( G Ahmed 34, A Khalid 3-27); Oakworth 150-8 (A Smith 53, B Lawn 36), Riddlesden 136 (M Shahnawaz 51, A Hussain 27, R Cavender 3-30). Final: Oakworth 136 (B Lawn 26, G Marshall 24, N Safdar 2-18), Ingrow St John’s 124-7 (O Khatab 63, M Scarborough 3-24, A Smith 2-21).