By Michael Latham
The
victorious Chorley team with the Readers Cup and
Shield |
Chorley marked their centenary season in style
by lifting the Readers Division Two Cup after defeating St
Annes in a splendidly contested final before a large
sun-kissed crowd at Windsor Park.
Ian Mawdesley played a true captain's role and
was a deserved recipient of the Man of the Match award from
League President Brian Standing. Mawdsley helped haul his side
back into the game with a crucial bowling spell of four for 31
after St Annes had reached 121 for 1 in the 21st over. He then
hit an undefeated 85 to steer his side past their victory
target of 197 with six wickets and 15 balls in hand.
St Annes opener Adam Taylor batted throughout
his side's innings to compile a high-class 83 off 116 balls
with ten boundaries. Taylor was last man out, stumped by Rowan
Mitcham off Mawdsley from the last ball of the 39th over.
Taylor's second wicket stand of 120 with Aiden Cotton
threatened to take the game away from Chorley after fellow
opener Paul Williams was an early victim of Matt Parry.
Adam
Taylor on his way to 83 for St
Annes |
Cotton batted fluently to reach 53 off 58 balls
with eight fours but his dismissal just after drinks, caught
in the deep by Parry off teenaged leg-spinner Matthew
Critchley changed the game. Of the remaining St Annes batsmen
only captain David Watson (20) reached double figures as the
last nine wickets fell for 75 in 18 overs.
Critchley bowled with great confidence for one
so young, taking three for 38 off eight overs to support his
captain's efforts while the miserly Parry had two for 24.
Chorley's out-cricket was excellent, Jack Bentham taking a
fine catch to remove Jack Todd while wicketkeeper Mitcham
claimed three victims.
St Annes looked favourites as Chorley lost
openers Stu Naden and Mitcham in reaching 24. Naden was caught
by Taylor off Rick Thomas while Mitcham fell to a wonderful
running catch in the deep by Williams off Matthew Grindley.
But Mawdesley and Bentham then added stability
with a vital stand of 98 before Bentham fell to teenaged
leg-spinner Matt Taaffe for a valuable 29 off 50 balls. David
Catterall then combined with Mawdsley to take his side to the
verge of their target, hitting 32 off 30 balls with three
fours and one six. Catterall was bowled by Todd with Chorley
two runs short, but fittingly Mawdesley hit the winning runs.
The Chorley captain faced 128 balls and hit eight fours and
one six.
It was Chorley's first win in what was
originally known as the Blackledge Trophy since their only
previous success in 1991.
Mawdesley received his individual award from Mr
Standing before the St Annes team were presented with silver
runners-up medals and captain Watson with the runners-up cup
by League Chairman Mr Norman Poole.
Ian
Mawdesley receives the Man of the Match Award from
League President Brian
Standing |
The Chorley players then received gold winners'
medals before Mr Poole presented the cup and Readers Shield to
the captain.
Ian
Mawdesley recives the Readers Cup and Shield from League
Chairman Norman Poole |
Chorley CC are to be commended for their
excellent staging of what was a superb advertisement of
Northern League Division Two cricket with both teams playing
their full part in a tremendous spectacle that was enjoyed by
the large crowd.
The umpires were Roy Booth and Bob Cairns.
RESULT
Readers Cup Final
Division
at Chorley CC
CHORLEY v ST ANNES
Chorley won by six wickets
St Annes 196 (Adam Taylor 83, Aiden Cotton 53,
Ian Mawdesley 4 for 31)Chorley 197 for 4 (Ian Mawdesley
85no)
Man of the Match: Ian Mawdesley
The scorecard can be found
here:
http://stannes.play-cricket.com/website/results/1349039
