RICHARD Machell came on as second change bowler for Yeadon Seconds in their Priestley Sheild semi-final on Sunday and produced a performance which led his side to the verge of making history.

Machell's 6-9 return off 6.3 overs put his side into the Bradford League's Priestley Shield final giving the club the chance to put their name on the trophy for the first time in their history.

Yeadon batted first in the semi-final and looked to be coasting at 90-1 with 25 overs to play. Skipper Andrew Pickering and Jon Carey seemed to be well in control but once Pickering was dismissed for 43 out of the 90 on the board the scoring rate seemed to drop.

Although Yeadon finished on 195-6 they had failed to step things up and their score looked 20 to 30 runs short of what it should have been. Nevertheless Carey produced a fine innings of 94 not out which included 1 six and 8 fours.It was a mammoth task under the baking sun.

When Yeadon were in the field one spectator with heart problems seemed to be overcome by the heat and collapsed. An ambulance was called and play was halted for a time as first aiders were called for and all these appeared to be on the pitch with fireman Pickering leading the posse of helpers.

They returned to the pitch and when the ambulance came the man, a Lightcliffe supporter, was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary. The biggest drama was yet to be played out on the pitch.

Yeadon are well equipped with bowlers for this five bowler cup format and after young Richard Wood and Paul Machell had bowled tidily enough but without claiming initial wickets Nick Darfield replaced Wood at the High Street end.

He immediately had success with Pickering taking a catch and then Carey following suit.

When Richard Machell replaced Darfield at the High Street end wickets began to fall in rapid succession and the writing was on the wall for Lightcliffe.

They had no answer to Machell's excellent line and he bagged an amazing 6-9 to wrap up the victory in 32.3 overs. He bowled four of his victims, had one lbw and one caught behind by wicketkeeper Will Darby.

Yeadon now face East Bierley in the final at Spen Victoria on August 7.