A rain-affected semi-final was finally concluded last week when Todmorden got home with four wickets and three balls to spare.

As he had been in the first team semi-final, Dave Whitehead (pictured) was the hero for Todmorden and he shared a match-winning sixth wicket partnership of 57 with Oliver Wood. Whitehead was run out for 47 but Wood, 36 not out, and captain Lee Pearson saw them home.

Earlier Ramsbottom had been restricted to 159 for 9 by some very tight bowling from Ross Stokes, 2 for 28, Pearson, 2 for 25, and Oliver Wood, 2 for 22, who combined economy with wicket-taking ability.

It will be Todmorden’s third final appearance in four years but the club still has only a solitary win in the competition - back in 1980.

It is something that they plan to put right on Saturday despite losing the dress rehearsal between the sides at Seedhill last weekend.

First team call-ups and holidays left the team depleted but Pearson will have a full strength squad to choose from on Saturday.