Fieldhouse youngsters reach final

Bamford Fieldhouse Under-13's have reached a cup final following a narrow six run victory over Heyside.

Following the close league encounter between the two sides last week, the players picked up where they left off to produce another thrilling game that would have graced any cup final.

Bamford were left in no doubt of Heyside's battling spirit last Sunday, and they were forced into the last over to win this game.

Bamford won the toss and decided to bat, which looked a good decision as they reached 18 without loss from two overs.

Joe Smith-Butler kept the score ticking over nicely but his batting partners lost their wickets on a regular basis to some accurate bowling and some particularly good catching.

When Smith-Butler retired with 32, at more than a run a ball, things were looking decidedly dodgy for the home side but Joseph Mitchell stopped the rot with a much needed 15 before being well caught by the keeper.

Bamford's tailenders were unable to add much to the score with the last four wickets falling for a disappointing 3 runs, much of this due to an excellent spell of bowling from L Price who picked up 3 for 7 from only 2.4 overs.

Heyside made a steady start and were 12 without loss after four overs. They were reduced to 13 for 2 after Ahmed Nawaz took two wickets with the final two balls of his three over spell, the second of these being the important wicket of Saif who plundered 30 runs last week.

Fieldhouse captain Callum Openshaw then turned to spin with Mitchell and Ben Durrant who both bowled aggresively with Mitchell picking up four wickets in his first three overs.

Price again proved a thorn in Bamford's side and was willing to leave the good balls and punish the bad ones, hitting four 4s and a 6 in his 29 before he was bowled by Mitchell.

The game appeared to be swinging in Bamford's favour until two very expensive overs cost almost thirty runs and put Heyside right back in the hunt.

Callum Belfield picked up two more wickets in between these overs before Openshaw brought back his top four bowlers to close the innings. First up, Nawaz bowled a maiden then Smith-Butler gave away only a single, Mitchell returned a wicket-maiden and Durrant ended the game with a well deserved wicket from a sharp stumping from Openshaw.

Joseph Mitchell was Bamford's man of the match for a great all-round performance, picking up 5 wickets for 12 and being the second highest scoring batter.

In the final, Bamford will play Saddleworth 'A', who beat Moorside in the other semi. The date and venue are yet to be decided.

Bamford Fieldhouse 88-9 Heyside 82-All Out