SOLLY SPORTS HEAVY WOOLLEN SIXES

BIRSTALL SIXES

Sunday the 9th of September saw a landmark day in Birstall Cricket Club History. For the first time in its history, it held the Heavy Woollen Sixes Tournament. After its success on Sunday, the Competition Committee have come up with a new 10 year deal to keep Birstall as the Host Club.

The Club couldn't have wished for a better day, weatherwise, as the Tournament had already been rearranged twice due to a fixture clash with the Jack Hampshire Cup Final at Carlton CC.

We started the day with 2 groups of 3 teams and a group containing 2 teams, as Horbury Bridge failed to turn up, and will subsequently not be invited to the prestigious event next year!!!!

Winners of each group qualified for the final, with the best runner up also progressing.

Birstall's B team, one of the Hosts, were eliminated after losing both their opening games, despite some fine slogging from former 2nd Xi Skipper R. Hosley scoring maximums(25) in both games. Group A was decided in the very last group game. Where Birstall A met a much fancied Wrenthorpe elite. Eric Austin, Birstall's overseas player last season, was on show for "the Wrens". A solid Batting performance from P. Blakeley and C. Hosley saw Birstall set 86 in their 5 overs. Wrenthorpe were restricted well through Nayyem Rao (Slow left arm spin) and fell short on 72. Birstall Qualified for the Semis

Group B was a one Sided affair. The Solly Sports Overseas Six, featuring Shoaib Latif and Iqbal Khan, Averaged 113 in their two 5 over games. Latif retiring on 25 in both!!!! Mirfield finished 2nd after beating Liversedge in their opening game. The highlight of which was Mohammad Asif (Mirfield) catching overses Ijaz Ahmed off his own bowling. A truely Wonderful Catch that!!!!

Group C contained Carlton and Morley alone, after HORBURY BRIDGE let the organisers down at the last minute when they failed to turn in. Bad manners if nothing else!!!! Morley and Carlton played each other twice both claiming a victory. Morley However had a better run rate than Carlton and thus finished as winners of the Group.

Mirfield Claimed the runners up spot with a run rate of 2.71 per ball!!!!

Mirfield met Morley in the first Semi Final

Birstall hosted the Solly Stars in the 2nd semi.

Morley overpowered the Bradford League outfit winning comfortably with a few balls to spare. Again for Morley C. Smith batted well retiring with a maximum for the 3rd time. Messrs Asif, Parkinson and Walkerjust couldn't keep the Morley outfit at bay.

In the last Semi, Birstall pulled off a surprise victory, claiming the scalp of the much fancied Solly Stars. Some Magnificent bowling restricted the "Tourists" to 59 in their 5 overs. Amazing considering their 1st stage average of 113 per match. Nayeem Rao was the Pick of the Birstall bowlers claining 1 for 1 in his only over. Birstall Never found the run chase easy but finished with 3 balls to spare, again thanks to club professional P. Blakeley.

So the 1st Heavy Woollen Sixes Final featured, a Strong- now much fancied, Birstall side and a wonderfully talented, young Morley team. Birstall were put into bat, but crumbled under the pressure, in front of a 500 strong home crowd. Birstall were reduced to just 47- the tournaments lowest score as Morley bowled full, slow and extremely accurately. Birstall fought well but were always going to struggle restricting Morley to 47. Again C. Smith did the damage for Morley as they ran out Comfortable and deserved winners of the inaugural "Heavy Woollen Sixes Cup"

Man of the Tournament Award went to Shoaib Latif (Solly's World Six), the Highest runs scorer.

Man of the Final Award went to Chris Smith of Morley.

Solly Adam and Mark Gilman hosted the presentation afterwards, Solly thanked everyone involved for the preparations and dedication of the BCC Committee. He also looks forward to next years competition, where he has pledged the sponsorship of his company for a second consecutive year.

Invitations shall be going out pre season 2002

Congratulations Again Morley and Well Done Committee!!!!!!!!!!!