Derby win for Netherfield
Batticciotto in the runs again
Glen Batticciotto made 64 for Netherfield |
Defending League champions Netherfield and Twenty20 Cup holders Barrow will go head to head to decide the winner of the North One Group and also the host the 2009 Finals Day.
Netherfield's 20 runs victory at a sun-kissed Shap Road in the Kendal derby ended Kendal's interest in the competition and set up an intriguing double clash against Daryl Wearing's men.
Barrow have two wins from as many games, Netherfield one from one but Kendal have lost their opening three group games.
Netherfield face Barrow next Tuesday and Kendal next Thursday at Parkside Road before travelling to Ernest Pass for the final group game on Friday 10 July.
The winner of this group will have the added incentive of hosting Finals Day on Sunday 26 July.
Despite having only a slim mathematical chance of qualifying Kendal are to be commended on giving their all, only to be expected under charismatic captain and professional Ross McMillan.
The Kendal club also gave an object lesson in how to stage a T20 fixture. The Shap Road ground looked a picture on a beautifully sunny and warm evening and a crowd of over 200 attended what had been a well promoted event.
Both teams turned out in immaculate coloured clothing and the host club had an excellent PA system with music and informative comments about batsmen, bowlers and dismissals from Dave Sykes.
Kendal CC's ground looked a picture bathed in glorious sunshine |
The evening showed Northern League cricket at its best and both clubs are to commended for the excellent spectacle they provided.
Netherfield's run machine Glen Batticciotto looked set for his third successive century for the club before falling to a superb boundary catch by Nick Lewthwaite off Mark Phillips.
The Queensland State player hit 64 off 42 balls with one six and seven fours. Batticciotto's second wicket stand of 91 for the second wicket with Alex Atkinson underpinned Netherfield's challenging total of 162 for 7.
Alex Atkinson attempts a reverse sweep during his innings of 35 |
Atkinson underlined his potential with a fine innings of 35 off 31 balls including four fours.
But when both players fell in consecutive balls to Phillips in the 14th over Netherfield then lost a flurry of wickets before Scott Clement's unbeaten 20 allowed them to set a target of just over eight runs per over.
Kendal lost Gareth Ashburner to a fine Chris Parry catch off Ryan Wilson. And after Terry Hunte had hit a superb cover driven six off Batticciotto he was bowled by Wilson to leave the hosts 24 for 2.
All now depended on McMillan who looked in prime form before he was superbly caught by Chris Miller on the mid wicket boundary off Marc Hadwin for 42.
McMillan's dismissal left Kendal 73 for 3 in the ninth over.
Though Paul Dodds batted well for 25 and Alan Thompson and Lee Sparks also reached double figures, Kendal fell 20 runs short when a superbly contested game finished at ten past nine.
Clement bowled a typically astute spell to finish with three for 24 while Batticciotto, Graeme Baker and Shane Dixon each earned assists in run outs.
Kendal skipper Ross McMillan looked in fine batting form |
