On Sunday the 3rd XI travelled to Horsforth in the first round of the Chappell Cup, having beaten Kirstkall Educational in the preliminary three weeks earlier. Skipper Steve West won the toss and elected to field at King George’s Playing Field. Guy Hales (having taken 6-13 in the last round) was the star of the show taking five of the first six wickets to fall as Horsforth were reduced to 71-6, he finished with 5-43. Archie Ralphs then joined in with his first wicket and Horsforth were 81-7. A recovery saw the home side accumulate runs at a good rate but two more wickets for Ralphs saw the innings end on 141 all out within 26 overs.
In the second half, Hales got North Leeds off to a flier, smashing seven boundaries in a blistering 33 from 29 balls before being stumped. Duncan Ralphs then came to the crease and he too scored quickly, making 30 from 24 balls before being bowled. At the other end Archie provided great support to the two more aggressive batsmen before being dismissed for 20 and Waqar Arshad was then runout for 0 leaving North Leeds 102-4. However, they weren’t in any bother as both Balraj Seehra (22*) and Steve West (28*) guided North Leeds home to win by 6 wickets with 10 overs to spare. An excellent win for the 3rd XI to complete a North Leeds treble for the weekend!
Next weekend the 3rd XI return to league action against Adel at the Homestead, the next round of the cup is on the 17th June where North Leeds host Guiseley at the Homestead in the quarter final.