By Ray Taylor
Little Lever will host the Hamer Cup Final after defeating Astley Bridge in the semi final on Sunday.
Batting first, professional Sam Fanning (50) and overseas amateur Nipun Gaikwad (91) provided a first wicket century partnership, then Adil Nisar contributed a further half century as he and Gaikwad added a further 85. The 40 over innings closed on 240, Joe Ducker the pick of the Bridge bowlers with 3-47.
Bridge were 29-3, before Jack Bentham (40) and Ulli Bronkhorst added 70, then Ishy Patel added a quickfire 45 from 27 deliveries, but with Curtis Anderton taking 5-17 the innings ended on 178.
They meet Read, for whom Declan Bailey (41) and Blayde Capell (59) put on 98 early in the innings. Chris Holt then held the middle order together with 35. Raveen Yasas’ 3-43 helped restrict the total to 185.
Earby began badly, losing their first five wickets for 15 runs. There was a slight recovery, but only to take the score to 64. Zadian Muller taking 3-5, Matthew Heap 3-14 and Holt adding two wickets to his useful runs in the first innings.
The final takes place on 11th August.
