LEAGUE XI IN CUP CLIFFHANGER

18th July 2010

The League's Senior Representative side came within a whisker of reaching the Leeds Area Cricket Council Knockout Cup Final.

Chasing a stiff victory target of 192 from 40 overs the Wetherby League side finished an agonising seven runs short. Their innnings got of to a solid start as Richard's Grogan (7) and Ward (14) were made to work hard by the accurate Halifax League bowlers. Following the loss of both openers the busy Mansoor Hussain (34) and the hard hitting Ian Twitchen (18) gave the innings momentum, reducing the target to 100 of the last eleven overs. The departure of Lee Russell (9) brought together skipper Stuart Ruddick (33), and Dennis Rock (33). Excellent running between the wickets and some powerful blows, Rock hitting Halifax spinner Senior for two successive sixes, saw the pair add 64 runs in just 5 overs, and the side seemed on target for what had at one stage seemed an unlikely victory.

But when Rock departed 42 runs from 35 balls was the requirement in deteriorating light. The incoming batsmen tried valliantly to match Ruddick's aggressive strokeplay, but all too often the boundries remained elusive. As the pressure built wickets fell at regular intervals and when, in the final over, the Captain dived to make his ground returning for a vital run, he like his team came up just short. The side finishing all out for 185.

Earlier, despite a tight opening spell by Carl Shaw,  Halifax got off to a strong start reaching 76/1 of 15 overs, Rob Nicholls (1/22) taking the only wicket to fall. Lee Russell (3/41) then struck twice with consecutive deliveries to regain a measure of control for the home side. Tight spell through the middle overs by Dennis Rock (1/34) and Mansoor Hussain (1/28) checked the visitors progress. Richard Ward (2/8) striking twice in his only over, and Jabber Ahmed (2/21) shared the last four wickets to fall. Ahmed clean bowling the last btsman to wrap up the innings for 191, a total which would eventually turn out to be enough......just !!

The Board would like to thank the officials & helpers at Walton Cricket Club for their outstanding match day hospitality, adding to the enjoyment of both players and spectators.

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