THIRD division leaders Folkton & Flixton pulled off a major surprise in the York and District Senior Cricket League Readman Trophy, overwhelming joint favourites Hemingbrough by ten wickets.

They will now meet Stamford Bridge in the semi-finals on Sunday, July 31, when they will have a 30-run start on the first division leaders.

The other last-four pairing will see Thorp Arch host Whitkirk with the fourth division home side having the benefit of a 45-run start over their first division opponents.

The new handicap system sees clubs receive 15 runs per divisional differential.

Hemingbrough lost their first five wickets for only 34 runs at Folkton & Flixton as Lee Elvidge took 4-45. Asim Butt (39) and Stuart Cox (34) rallied the visitors but a total of 142 all out posed few problems as Damon Gormley with 58no and Neil Elvidge (49no) built on the handicap start to see their side through without loss.

Thorp Arch & Boston Spa slipped to 79-6 against Sheriff Hutton before Jim Turner (27) and Steve Raine (37) added 56 for the seventh wicket. After both were dismissed, Ben Preston made 19 and Martin Linnacre 20 to boost the final total to 183.

Both were dismissed by former Sheriff stalwart Eddie Hull who, having answered the call to arms, bowled the final over and took 2-5.

Sheriff were then given a good start by Chris Megone (46) and Andy Franks (34). James Wilford added 23 and, at 132-2, Sheriff were well poised for victory. But Preston then took control with a 4-32 haul and, with G Drysdale taking 2-29, Sheriff's innings was terminated on 165 with 14 deliveries unused.

Having become the fastest player to reach 1,000 league runs in a season the previous day, Stamford Bridge's West Indian star Lorenzo Ingram followed his century by hitting 82 at Driffield.

Other valuable runs came from Andy Milner (34) and Graham Tipping (33) as the first division pacesetters totalled 233-7.

Driffield's batsmen never seemed likely to meet the demand as Tipping claimed 3-38 and were only able to make 149-9 in their 40 overs. Mike Drury made an unbeaten 79 for the Woldsmen.

Whitkirk beat Hull Zingari by 119 runs to clinch their semi-final spot.

Updated: 09:57 Wednesday, July 13, 2005