WOODLANDS scored a thrilling three-wicket win over holders Hanging Heaton but it wasn’t enough to earn them a place in the quarter-finals of the JW Lees Brewery T20 Group A Cup.

They chased down a challenging total of 166-6 to edge home with one ball to spare and then discovered that they missed out on a quarter-final place.

They were pipped for one of the two places allocated to the best pool runners-up by Wakefield St Michael’s on runs difference. Both teams had 23 points but St Michael’s had a runs difference of 11 compared to Woodlands’ four. Hanging Heaton qualified as Pool Five winners.

New Zealander Brad Schmulian was the man who spearheaded their successful run chase with an unbeaten 90 from 61 balls which contained two sixes and 10 fours.

David Stiff (3-38) was the best of the Hanging Heaton bowlers on an evening when skipper Gary Fellows impressed with 70 and Callum Geldart (32) provided the other main contribution when the holders batted first. Scott Richardson picked up 3-25 for Woodlands.

Pudsey Congs, who won the competition in 2012, 2014 and 2015, secured top spot in Pool Three with a five-wicket win at Farsley. Mohammed Ammer made 50 as they eased past the home side’s 116 all out.

Opener Pat Kruger made 40 for the Red Laners but his colleagues faltered against the bowling of Yasir Ali (4-12) and Max Backhouse (3-19). Congs will be joined in the last eight by Pudsey St Lawrence who finished two points behind their neighbours and were the best runner-up from across the six pools.

The beaten finalists from the previous two seasons, Undercliffe and Methley, have qualified for the knockout stages.

Grant Soames made 42 and Marcus Walmsley (35) as Methley defeated Wrenthorpe by five wickets to top Pool Four. They overhauled their opponents’ score of 129-9 with 3.3 overs to spare.

Ben Waite produced a fine spell of 4-12 to ensure Wrenthorpe were kept in check despite the efforts of Khalil Khan (44).

Undercliffe were given more than a little extra help as they defeated New Farnley by 29 runs to top Pool Two. Their total of 133-9 was boosted by a whopping 43 extras – 32 of them being wides. Skipper Mark Lawson was the best of the bowlers with 3-17.

New Farnley were kept in check by spinners Khalid Usman (3-15) and Simon Lambert (3-10) as they were restricted to 104-8.

Bradford & Bingley, competition winners in 2011 and 2016, confirmed their place at the top of Pool One with a 33-run win over Keighley.

Opener Dan Revis (59) and Pat Dixon (36no) powered Bradford & Bingley to 132-3. Keighley made 99-9 in their reply as spinner Bradley Reeve took 4-20.

Morley, who lifted the cup in 2013, topped Pool Six after defeating Ossett by six wickets. Richard Winn took 3-16 as Ossett were bowled out for 64. Morley reached their target with 4.1 overs to spare.

The draw for the quarter-finals, which will be played on Tuesday, June 25, is: Bradford & Bingley, Undercliffe, Pudsey Congs, Methley, Hanging Heaton, Morley, Pudsey St Lawrence and Wakefield St Michael’s.