McKendry Steers Farnley Home

New Farnley booked their place in the Bentley Drains Priestley Cup Final after a thrilling three-wicket victory over Pudsey St. Lawrence at The Barry Jackson Ground on Sunday.

After winning the toss and electing to field, New Farnley produced a disciplined bowling display to dismiss Pudsey for 200 from the final over of their innings.

Adam Ahmed and Fletcher Coutts shared the honours with four wickets apiece. Ahmed’s spell of 4-23 ripped through the top order, while Coutts claimed 4-42, cleaning up the tail to ensure Pudsey never escaped after several promising starts. Gurman Randhawa and Abhay Negi also chipped in with a wicket each as every bowler played their part.

Despite half-centuries from Charlie Best (57) and Ankit Sharma (54), Pudsey were continually pegged back, losing wickets at regular intervals.

The chase was never straightforward.

Aidan Langley gave Farnley a solid platform with 30, before Steven Bullen anchored the innings superbly with 43. However, with wickets falling at key moments and the score slipping from 128-2 to 170-7, the semi-final was firmly in the balance.

Step forward Ryan McKendry.

Showing all the composure expected of a PE Teacher, McKendry produced a masterclass under pressure, finishing unbeaten on 65 from 68 balls, striking nine fours and one six in a match-winning innings that combined patience with positive strokeplay.

With the tension rising, Gurman Randhawa provided the perfect supporting role, remaining unbeaten on 15 as the pair guided New Farnley safely to 204-7 with 41 balls to spare.

McKendry’s outstanding all-round contribution earned him a deserved Player of the Match award and sent the Farnley supporters home celebrating.

Victory means New Farnley will now face Woodlands in the Bentley Drains Priestley Cup Final, which will be played at Lightcliffe on Sunday 16th August 2026.

One more performance like this and New Farnley could be lifting one of Bradford League cricket’s most prestigious trophies.