Warley are impressive T20 winners

Warley registered two convincing successes at Triangle yesterday to win the Halifax League's Twenty/20 competition for the first time.
T20 cricket semi-final at Triangle CC - Warley v Cullingworth. Daniel Syme bowls for Warley.T20 cricket semi-final at Triangle CC - Warley v Cullingworth. Daniel Syme bowls for Warley.
T20 cricket semi-final at Triangle CC - Warley v Cullingworth. Daniel Syme bowls for Warley.

They beat surprise finalists Northowram Hedge Top by 112 runs with skipper Greg Keywood man of the match after hitting a half-century and taking four wickets.

Yesterday’s three games in the Fosters-sponsored event each had twists and turns.

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The action started at 11am and rain at the half-way stage of the first semi-final, between Warley and Cullingworth, delayed matters and meant the final started half an hour later than scheduled at 5.30pm.

Underdogs Cullingworth, taking part in finals day for the first time, made a flying start but lost their way and were all out for a below-par 161 on a small ground.

Warley made short work of the run chase, not losing a wicket. Matthew Whitworth made 55 and Shazad Hassan also retired, hitting 52 off 15 balls. Jimmy Sarwar’s 46 not out sealed success with a handful of overs to spare.

Northowram upset a Booth side who have beaten them three times in longer forms of the game this season and are league leaders.

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Northowram made 181 for eight with Raz Saghir, who had made a big hundred the previous day, striking a 17-ball half-century. Patrick Thomas took four for 30.

Booth’s strong batting order capitulated to 155 all out in reply.

Northowram’s hopes of lifting the trophy soared when Harry Talbot struck three times in his opening two overs to leave Warley 14 for four.

However, Warley produced a superb recovery to reach a towering 237 for six with Keywood, Whitworth and Haroon Razak all retiring and Dan Syme making 36 not out.

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Talbot finished with five wickets but the damage had been done and the pressure to score quickly told on Northowram, who were all out for 125.

League treasurer Bob Airey said the league’s 12th T20 finals day had been well attended and Triangle had been good hosts.

“It was one of the best we have had and it was exciting stuff on the pitch.”

Elland and Barkisland were both beaten in yesterday’s re-arranged Huddersfield League programme.

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Elland’s plight at the foot of the Premier worsened with a second defeat in successive days. They lost by eight wickets away to Armitage Bridge.

They totalled 169 with Jacob Bower and skipper Robin Broom the joint top scorers with 33. Bridge knocked off the runs with the help of 90 not out from New Zealander Dylan Steyn.

Zimbabwean Gary Chirimuuta (76), Ben Westbrook (76 no) and Jamie Summerscales (54) helped Barkisland post 292 for five at home to Delph and Dobcross.

However, the leaders were unfazed by the size of their task and reached their target for the loss of five wickets with an unbeaten 110 from Indian Shree Goswami, who has played in the IPL.

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Huddersfield League, Premier Division: Elland 169 (J Bower 33, R Broom 33; D Moorhouse 5-26, J Harrison 3-45), *Armitage Bridge 170-2 (M West 49, D Steyn 90no); *Barkisland 292-5 (A Kaye 29, J Summerscales 54, G Chirimuuta 76, B Westbrook 76no), Delph & Dobcross 293-5 (C Laker 46, G Buckley 25, A Lilley 50, S Goswami 110no, N Jones 26).