League legend David Heywood to present Cup
Morecambe will host Finals Day in 2011
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Morecambe CC will stage the Jamie Heywood Twenty20 Cup Finals Day on Sunday 17 July 2011.
Mark Woodhead's side was confirmed winner of North 2 Group after their scheduled fixture, against Carnforth was washed out. Morecambe won on toss of a coin but would still have topped the group had they lost such was their superior run-rate.
In the first semi-final at 11am Morecambe will play Kendal with Blackpool against Darwen scheduled for 2pm. The final will commence at 5pm.
Blackpool are the only side from last year's successful Finals Day to qualify again this season. Paul Danson's side won all four group games in South 1 group and will be keen to make up for their disappointment at losing a low-scoring final against Netherfield at Preston.
Blackpool's South African pro Con de Lange
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Kendal make their first Finals Day appearance after emerging winners of North 1 Group that involved 2008 winners Barrow and last year's winners Netherfield. Darwen beat off the strong challenge of Leyland to top South 2 Group having won five of their six games. Morecambe won the right to stage Finals Day after beating Lancaster and Carnforth.
Kendal's team look forward to Finals Day
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The competition has grown in importance since Kendal won the first final in 2004 after defeating Leyland Motors at Sandy Lane. In 2005 Netherfield beat St Annes in the final and in 2006 and 2007 Darwen lifted the cup after final victories over Lancaster on both occasions.
Darwen pro Mohammad Zaman Khan in T20 action against Chorley |
In 2008 the first Finals Day was staged at Blackpool CC, Daryl Wearing's Barrow side defeating Blackpool in the final. In 2009 Preston lifted the cup after defeating Netherfield at Parkside Road. Netherfield defeated Blackpool by six wickets in the 2010 final staged at West Cliff.
Competition sponsor Mike Latham re-named the cup the Jamie Heywood Twenty20 Cup during the spring in recognition of the popularity and fighting spirit of Northern League cricketer Jamie Heywood.
The Lancaster opening batsman spent several months in hospital bravely battling life-threatening head and chest injuries sustained in an accident at work over the winter months. Jamie and his family were overwhelmed by the support of fellow clubs; players, members and supporters sent hundreds of goodwill messages to him in hospital.
Explaining the name change at the time competition sponsor Mike Latham said: "Jamie is a very talented cricketer and most of all a lovely bloke who is hugely popular throughout the league. It's always a pleasure to see his smiling face at a cricket ground and he has been a good friend to me during my involvement in the league.
"News of his accident spread quickly throughout the league and there was widespread concern for his welfare and expressions of support for him, particularly on facebook. Jamie has received hundreds and hundreds of messages from league players and supporters.
"Jamie stands at first slip throughout the summer and has been known to pass the odd sarcastic comment on opposition batsmen. After appearing on Take Me Out and starting a new modelling career I suspect that Charles Boucher, the St Annes batsman may have been a target for Jamie's sharp-witted exchanges.
"Typically in the spirit of the league Charles was one of the first to send messages of his support to Jamie and is family at this difficult time.
"It is fitting that the Twenty20 Cup be renamed the Jamie Heywood Twenty20 Cup in 2011 and we all look forward to Finals Day and Jamie being there to do the honours on another step towards his recovery."
Jamie, who moved from Lancaster to join Kendal CC shortly before his accident has made enormous strides upon his recovery programme and intends to resume his cricketing career in due course.
Sadly, though Jamie will miss Finals Day while he undergoes another operation in hospital and his father, David will present the Jamie Heywood Twenty20 Cup in his place.
David Heywood is a Northern League legend in his own right having made over 12,000 runs in Division One games going back to 1987.
Twenty20 Cup Finals Day has become one of the most attractive days in the league calendar and a big crowd is expected at Woodhill Lane for a feast of the very best in Northern League cricket.
The Umpires are Andrew Wilson, Alf Dunn and Ken Ashworth.
Team news will be posted when available.
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