Delph & Dobcross reach the final of the Sykes Cup
Last Sunday, Delph reached the final of the Huddersfield League RomidaSykes Cup with a solid team performance against table topping Hoylandswaine.
Putting Hoylandswaine into bat, Adnan Ghaus struck in his first over by clean bowling Alan Mynett for a duck. Alan Morris soon followed, caught at slip, and when Warren Jones took a stunning one handed diving catch to remove skipper John Sadler, Delph were firmly in the driving seat.
Aussie Michael Cranmer was then caught by Grant Jones, standing up to Matt Norvall, to leave Hoylandswaine struggling at 4 for 35. Wickets continued to fall regularly, but late order hitting by Bandula Don (40) and Ben Potter (22) raised the total to 135 all out. Norvall finished with 4 for 33.
Although losing Irfan Zahoor early for his 10th lbw of the season, Faisal Butt (16), Arron Lilley (16) and Kevin Hook (25), all gave Bruce Cruse support on the way to reaching the target. Cruse showed his class with an impressive 57 not out, to see Delph home to their 4th final, which is to be played at Honley on Sunday 12th August.
On Saturday, by a quirk of the fixtures, Delph also played Hoylandswaine, in a league match. Table topping Hoylandswaine kept on target for the league title, with a final over win, in a match reduced to 40 overs a side, because of a wet outfield. After being put into bat, Delph were soon in trouble at 2 for 21.
Bruce Cruse and Arron Lilley, however, then put on a stand of 131, before Lilley (81) fell to a stunning catch, when Cranmer caught the ball on the boundary edge, and then threw the ball to Potter before he overbalanced over the boundary.
Cruse went on to 80 and was out in the chase for quick runs at the end of the innings, to leave Delph hanging on at 218 for 9. The strong Hoylandswaine batting order, with Yorkshire’s Joe Sayers, made a solid reply.
Sayers (58), Alan Morris (67) and skipper John Sadler (33) put Hoylandswaine within reach of the win, which came with 4 balls and 6 wickets to spare.
Author: Jude Gidney - Editor
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