JAMES Higgins hit an unbeaten 97 to steer East Bierley to a three-wicket win over Morley at South View Road to secure their place in the semi-finals of the Priestley Shield.

He was supported by Rob Barker (46) and Liam Walsh (31) as East Bierley successfully chased down Morley’s score of 223.

Their total featured a top score of 69 from Gavin Goodlad plus useful additions from Richard Ferry (39), Ash Daly (36) and Ben Richardson (35).

Kashif Talib hit a century and took four wickets to secure Batley’s place in the last four.

Talib’s unbeaten 115, an innings laced with a six and nine fours, helped his side to make 249-4 as they defeated Pudsey Congs by 84 runs.

The all-rounder followed up with 4-13 as Congs were dismissed for 165. Mark Ferguson was top scorer with 37.

Batley and Bierley will be joined in the last four on August 4 by Hanging Heaton and New Farnley.

Hanging Heaton avenged the four-wicket defeat they had suffered against Woodlands in the league 24 hours earlier as they won their tie by six wickets.

The experienced Craig Russell (49no) and Chris Goodair (33) ensured they had few problems overhauling a modest Woodlands score of 133 which owed much to Jak Murphy’s knock of 57.

Mark Lawson produced the best bowling figures of the day as New Farnley overcame Hartshead Moor by 42 runs.

Lawson took 6-26 as Hartshead Moor, despite the determined efforts of Martin Ellis (53) and James Hardcastle (35) were bowled out for 136.

Joe Bedford and skipper Chris Sowden both scored 51 as New Farnley made 178-8 batting first. Hartshead Moor’s young opening bowler Marshall Grieve impressed again with 5-22.

The draw for the semi-finals will be made at 7.30pm on Monday evening.

Meanwhile, centuries from skipper Nick Kaye and Matt Dyson powered Birstall into the Jack Hampshire Cup final.

Kaye made 115 and Dyson 110 not out as Birstall piled up a score of 293-2 before bowling out Hunslet Nelson for 197 to secure a 96-run win.

Kaye hit five sixes and 13 fours while Dyson’s innings contained seven sixes and seven fours. Together they added 196 for the second wicket after Josh Haynes (36) and helped get his side off to a good start.

Nelson never looked like seriously challenging Birstall’s formidable 40-over score, but a second-wicket stand of 110 between Danny Cross (55) and Jack Scanlon (47) gave them some consolation as they were bowled out for 197.

Birstall’s Championship Two promotion rivals Yeadon will be their opponents in the final at Liversedge on Sunday, August 18 after securing a five-wicket win at Buttershaw St Paul’s with eight balls to spare.

Sam Massheder hit an unbeaten 57 and was backed up by Rob Williams (37), Gareth Lee (33) and Samar Hameed (31) as Yeadon chased down the home side’s 223-7.

St Paul’s will rue the 32 extras they conceded which were a considerable handicap in their bid to reach the final for the second time in four seasons.

Amer Ayoub again set the tone for the St Paul’s innings with 65, while Kevin McDermott (46), James Crossland (40) and Jack Seddon (31) helped build what looked a challenging total. Tom Lindsay (3-45) was the pick of the Yeadon bowlers.