GARGRAVE have retained the Wynn Cup, defeating Bowling Baptists by seven wickets in the final at Thornton-in-Craven.

Captain Will Smith won the toss and had no hesitation in asking the Bradford side to bat, revealing: “We have mostly bowled this year after winning the toss as that is our strength, and that was always the plan.”

Gargrave then took wickets at regular intervals, with the only stand of note being 36 for the sixth wicket between Omair Ishtiaq (22) and Salba Rahman (20) as Baptists were dismissed for 108 in the 39th over.

Smith was in the happy position of all six of his bowlers returning decent figures, noting: “It was important to take early wickets as they have a strong batting line-up up top, and George Gregson bowled really well.”

He took 3-29 off his eight overs, while Smith bagged 2-22 and Bradley Gardner 2-9, Joe Wood and George Beckwith chipping in with a wicket apiece, while Matty Simpson went wicketless but only conceded six runs from his eight overs.

Smith was confident at the tea interval, and although Lee Barrett got a duck, Gardner (19) and Simpson (31) put on 45 for the second wicket, and they were seen home in the 21st over by an unbroken partnership of 56 between John Beckwith (a run-a-ball 22no) and keeper Shaun Airey (36no), who hit two fours and four sixes in a 23-ball cameo.

Gargrave now turn their attention to the league, where they are 25 points ahead of Haworth Road Meths in Division One with six matches left.

Smith said: “Things keep changing below us, with first Cowling and then Eldwick & Gilstead and now Haworth Road Meths in second, but we just have to keep focusing on ourselves and picking up those 20 points every week.”