Thrilling final day of surprises in T20
THE Tom Hardman T20 finals held at Stag Park on Monday produced a great day’s cricket and some shocks.
The eventual, and deserved, winners were Moorside who went into the day as fourth favourites and upset the odds, mainly due to the fantastic batting displays of professional Gerry Snyman.
First up were Norden and Littleborough, with many having written off Boro following their heavy defeat at Stag Park on Saturday.
Norden reached 45 without loss as Hashum Malik hit 33, partnered by a more subdued Josh Tolley.
But it then started to go horribly wrong for Stags as Boro held on to the chances offered by batsmen going for big hits.
Tolley went on to score 53, and Dominic Humphreys scored 21, but they and Malik were the only Norden players to reach double figures in a final total of 136 for eight which never looked like being enough.
Boro hit more than 30 in their first three overs and looked set to reach their target in quick time.
Yet only three deliveries remained of the 20 overs when they crossed the line thanks to a six from Clinton Perren off a delivery from Josh Tolley who was having to continue an over for injured Chris Hartley. Perren, who survived a run out chance, finished unbeaten on 84.
Stags’ skipper Hashum Malik was injured during the match, but he later felt confident he would be fit to play this coming weekend. If that result was a shock, the second semi produced an absolute stunner.
Rochdale piled up 184 for four against a moderate looking Moorside attack. Professional Henry Cooper scored 73, Ben Chapman hit 47, and Derek Faulkner scored 27 not out.
The Redbrook lads looked confident, especially after the early dismissal of Ruan Havenga, but what followed was mayhem.
Gerry Snyman slammed an unbeaten 91 which included nine sixes. Such was his onslaught that one couple came onto the ground as they felt safer there than outside as the ball flew in all directions.
Phil Taylor (24), and Richard Harrington (27) offered their professional good support before Imran Khan hit 30 off only 13 balls, with three sixes included.
It all meant that Moorside reached 186 for three with an over to spare, and what had seemed an unlikely final was on the cards.
Boro took first knock and lost a wicket first ball. At one stage they were 11 for three but managed to reach 158 for six thanks to 31 from Perren and a hard-hitting 42 from Matthew Hernon.
The reply saw Moorside lose a wicket on 14, but that only opened the way for another blast from Snyman who was 81 not out at close with skipper Richard Harrington on 30 not out.
Cue the celebrations and presentations which were made by Tom Hardman’s parents, along with Pennine League chairman Nigel Tench, and Dean Redfern from competition sponsors JW Lees Brewers.
Norden 136-8 (Josh Tolley 53, Hashum Malik 33, Dominic Humphreys 21, Clinton Perren 3-15), Littleborough 142-3 (Clinton Perren 84 not out, Ryan Burl 24). Rochdale 184-4 (Henry Cooper 73, Ben Chapman 47, Derek Faulkner 27 not out), Moorside 186-3 (Gerry Snyman 91 not out, Imran Khan 30 not out, Richard Harrington 27).