🏆 LITTLE LEVER ARE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS! 🏆
Little Lever 162/8 beat St George’s 135/9 by 27 runs
Little Lever Cricket Club produced a superb all-round performance on the biggest stage to win the National Final by 27 runs, completing a memorable day for everyone associated with the club.
Batting first, Little Lever posted an imposing 162 for 8 from their 20 overs, before an outstanding bowling and fielding performance restricted St George’s to 135 for 9.
Richards and Walker build the platform
Little Lever suffered an early setback when Adam Carter fell in the opening over, but Cameron Murray quickly settled the nerves with an attacking 28 from 21 balls, including four fours and a six.
At 35 for 2, James Richards and Thomas Walker came together and produced the partnership that transformed the innings.
Richards was outstanding, striking 56 from just 37 balls, including six fours and three sixes. Walker was equally positive, racing to 36 from 23 deliveries with five boundaries.
The pair added a crucial 86 runs for the third wicket, moving Little Lever from 35/2 to 121/3 and putting their side firmly in control.
Richards departed at 121 before Walker followed at 132, and St George’s fought back well during the closing overs.
Adil Nisar made 15 and Mukhtar Nasir added 11, with Little Lever eventually finishing on a competitive 162/8.
Little Lever turn the screw
Defending 163, Little Lever knew early wickets would be important, but St George’s made a determined start.
Waqas Ahmed scored 26 before Curtis Anderton made the breakthrough at 44/1. Anderton then struck again just four balls later, removing Charitha Kumarasinghe for a duck to leave St George’s 44/2.
Anderton’s opening spell proved crucial, finishing with an excellent 2/12 from four overs.
Mukhtar Nasir then removed Amritpal Singh for 12, but Mohammed Aqeeb continued to hold the St George’s innings together.
With the score reaching 92/3, Little Lever needed another breakthrough – and Cameron Murray delivered.
Murray removed Aqeeb for 41 and then struck again just two balls later, dismissing Zabiullah Safi for nine. Suddenly St George’s had slipped to 94/5 and Little Lever were taking control of the final.
Murray leads the charge
James Richards added to his earlier half-century by removing Babar Khan, before Murray claimed his third wicket when KasJuan Sullivan was trapped LBW.
Murray finished with superb figures of 3/26 from three overs, completing an excellent individual all-round performance of 28 runs and three wickets.
With St George’s needing 52 from the final 16 deliveries, Little Lever had one hand on the trophy.
There was still some late resistance. Shah Faiz struck a rapid 19 from eight balls, including two sixes, but Thomas Walker ensured there would be no dramatic comeback.
Walker took two wickets in the final over, including Faiz from the final delivery of the match, as St George’s closed on 135/9.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
LITTLE LEVER 162/8 (20 overs)
James Richards 56 (37)
Thomas Walker 36 (23)
Cameron Murray 28 (21)
ST GEORGE’S 135/9 (20 overs)
Mohammed Aqeeb 41 (39)
Waqas Ahmed 26 (22)
Shah Faiz 19 (8)
Little Lever bowling:
Cameron Murray 3/26
Curtis Anderton 2/12
Thomas Walker 2/21
James Richards 1/25
Mukhtar Nasir 1/28
🏆 LITTLE LEVER WON BY 27 RUNS 🏆
It was a magnificent team performance from Little Lever, with contributions throughout the side.
Richards’ half-century and his huge partnership with Walker established the platform. Anderton’s outstanding spell put St George’s under pressure, while Murray’s three wickets ripped the heart out of the chase. Walker then fittingly finished the job in the final over.
But beyond the individual performances, this was a victory built on a complete team effort – 162 runs on the board, nine wickets taken and catches held when they mattered on the biggest stage.
For the players, coaches, volunteers, supporters and everyone connected with Little Lever Cricket Club, it is a day that will live long in the memory.
