In the club's third chance at winning some Cup-formatted silverware this year, Chris Burton's T20 squad found it third time lucky. At a wet and windy Acre Bottom (pun well and truly intended), Finals day was once again impacted by the weather. The two semis and final were all reduced to 10 overs per innings and made for some entertaining cricket.
Burnley beat Ramsbottom in the second semi, chasing down the host's total of 79 on the final ball of the innings. Dave Brown smashed 26, including one hit which was last seen flying somewhere along the East Lancs railway.
In the 10 overs-a-side final against Clitheroe, Holty and Brown got off to a flyer, hitting 41 off the first 4 overs. Wally fell for 23 and brought our sub-pro, Luke Procter, to the crease. The pair took the score to 88/1 after 9 overs. Bosh!
Holty must have heard rumours of an extra tea being on offer in the dressing room, getting himself out for 39 in the tenth. The score closed on 98/3, with Procter being stumped at the death.
Clitheroe, having seen off Darwen in the first semi, were restricted to 5/2 off the first 3 overs, with Procter striking in the first over, then Cole tightening the screw with a great maiden in the third, after Young Qas Shah ran out their pro in the second over.
At halfway, Clitheroe were behind the pace, needing 69 off the last 5 overs. Desperately hungry to claim the trophy, Dan Pickup entered proceedings in the ninth over and picked up a few wickets as Clitheroe chased the game.
Needing 31 in the final over proved too much to ask and the trophy was Pickup- NO... The trophy was Burty's to lift.
Well done to the all the lads who played in the campaign and thanks to all the supporters who were there along the way. Massive thanks, also, to all the volunteers who manned the DJ Booth, Prosecco & Gin bar and BBQ during the group stages.
And thank you to everyone for sending in their photos of the day. Check out the gallery at the bottom of the page and keep them coming.
Well done to Ramsbottom too. All the staff and volunteers did a great job hosting a brilliant Finals Day on the second wet weekend since the first weekend the season started. The other wet weekend, sandwiched in between those two, was the originally planned date for Finals Day. Typica! Top effort not going mad, Rammy.
All that's left now is to update the History & Honours page...
