The semis and final of the Anthony Axford North West Cricket League T20 competition took place in front of over 500 spectators on Sunday.
In the first semi, Frankie Jackson cracked a quickfire twenty from twelve balls and fellow opener Stuart Crabtree made 25, but two wickets each for Matthew Ready, Tush De Zoysa and Charlie Fletcher helped restrict Whalley to 84-9. Blackrod reached 68 before the first wicket fell and with Navod Paranavithana 26 and Antonio Greenidge 51 not out they won in the twelfth over.
Ribblesdale Wanderers were dismissed for 116 in the second semi, having been 55-1 with Jordan Herman striking 34 from 24 deliveries. Dave Flanagan finished with 3-15 for Lostock and Tom Sheen 2-19. Flanagan hit 50 and Muhammad Suleman 36 as Lostock were 81 without loss in the eighth over but then lost a further four wickets in the 90s before Daniel Vincent steered them to victory by five wickets, Joel Blackledge having done most of the damage taking 4-24.
Suleman and Flanagan starred again the final, scoring 73 not out and 45 respectively. From 91-1 Lostock would have been slightly disappointed with a final total of 151-6, Paranavithana and Fletcher sharing four wickets equally. Blackrod’s response was marginally more impressive, reaching 95 before the second wicket fell, Greenidge 50 and De Zoysa 34, but then the innings fell apart with the last nine wickets falling for 17 runs, Rob Holgate taking 4-14 and Suleman 3-8.
League Chair Bill Slinger presented the Man of the Match award to David Flanagan.
