Wiese's heroics for Darwen
Darwen and Netherfield completed the T20 Finals Day line-up with convincing victories over Chorley and Barrow respectively.
Darwen's South African professional David Wiese hit an astonishing 128 off 53 balls to steer his side to a 96 runs success at Windsor Park.
Netherfield will now host the Finals Day on Sunday 26 July. They will play Morecambe in the first semi-final at 11am, with Darwen playing Preston in the second semi-final at 2pm. The final is scheduled for 5pm.
At Windsor Park Darwen not only needed to beat Chorley but climb above Leyland on run rate. After winning the toss and batting their target score was 135 in their 20 overs.
With Wiese in such explosive form Darwen passed the target in only 14th over.
Wiese only came to the wicket in the sixth over after Chris Lowe was bowled by Jim Lee after an opening stand of 34 with John Cordingley.
Cordingley hit 58 off 39 balls including nine fours and a six and added 69 in six overs with the pro before he was caught by Lee off Adam Peacock.
John Cordingley supported Wiese with 58 |
Wiese then took command with an awe-inspiring display of clean hitting to all parts. He reached his 50 off 25 balls and his first century for Darwen in 44 balls.
Wiese was eventually bowled by Peacock off the last ball of the Darwen innings for 128 off 53 balls, including 12 fours and 10 sixes.
Darwen pro David Wiese hits out at Chorley |
Mark Emery hit one six- probably the best shot of the game- in making 20 not out and sharing a third wicket stand of 117 in just over eight overs.
Chorley pro Chris Hartley- captain for the evening in the absence of Jack Catterall- tried to emulate Wiese hitting two sixes and two fours. But when Hartley was bowled by Wiese for 23 the contest was effectively over.
Chorley closed on 124 for 7 with Kieran McCullagh (29) and Lee (31 not out, including two sixes) making most progress.
Darwen and Leyland tied at the top of the group with three wins but Darwen went through on a superior run rate while Chorley lost all four of their T20 games in 2009 having reached the semi-finals last year.
David Wiese returns to the pavilion after his innings |
