Large crowd entertained by thrilling T20 finals day

A large crowd were thoroughly entertained as the Bradford League Twenty20 finals day saw an impressive 1,138 runs scored.
Logan Weston in Twenty20 semi-final action for Woodlands against Pudsey St Lawrence.Logan Weston in Twenty20 semi-final action for Woodlands against Pudsey St Lawrence.
Logan Weston in Twenty20 semi-final action for Woodlands against Pudsey St Lawrence.

The three matches produced a staggering 51 sixes as the surrounding roads and gardens at Tofts Road were peppered by some exhilarating big hitting.

However, there was to be no local glory after Woodlands and Hanging Heaton bowed out at the semi-finals stage.

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Woodlands suffered an agonising three-wicket defeat to Pudsey St Lawrence, who hit the winning runs with just two balls to spare.

Woodlands made a challenging 203-4, with Logan Weston top scoring with 75 and captain Pieter Swanepoel producing some lusty blows in his 63 not out.

Saints openers Mark Robertshaw (69) and Callum Goldthorpe (31) got their reply off to a fine start before James Smith hit a quickfire half-century.

Woodlands fought back as Scott Richardson claimed 3-26 to set up a nail-biting finale, but it was left to the Lawrence tailenders to see them home, hitting 25 from the final two overs to book their place in the final.

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Craig Wiseman launched the fourth ball of Scott Richardson’s final over out of the ground to spark jubilant scenes among home supporters and book his side’s place in the final

Congs set up a final against their arch rivals St Lawrence by overcoming Hanging Heaton by four wickets in the second semi.

Heaton were bowled out for 135 as their innings was curtailed by three lbw decisions, a direct run out to dismiss big hitting David Stiff and a wonderful piece of fielding which saw Callum Geldart leap to produce a stunning one-handed catch to claim the wicket of Oliver Newton.

Captain Gary Fellows (39) top scored for Heaton before he became one of two lbw decisions off the bowling of Kez Ahmed (4-24).

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Yorkshire academy player Josh Shaw struck 33 but Heaton failed to bat their full 20 overs and were all out for 135.

There were a few anxious moments for Congs, who lost six wickets in reply with Stiff and Ian Philliskirk picking up two apiece.

Kez Ahmed survived a loud lbw shout off the first ball of the 18th over before he clattered Ben Elvidge for a six and a four in consecutive balls to see his side over the finish line and set up an all Pudsey final.

Congs openers Geldart and Adam Patel shared a 95-run opening wicket stand as they final got off to a blistering start.

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Geldart raced to 45 off 17 balls, with Patel hitting a 22-ball half century and was eventually out for 88 having hit six sixes and 10 fours.

Joe Greaves further tormented the St Lawrence bowlers, hitting 59 as Congs reached an impressive 231-6.

St Lawrence produced a thrilling run chase as Matthew Duce and James Smith shared an impressive 104-run third-wicket stand.

Duce hit five sixes and nine fours in a top score of 80, while Smith’s 51 contained three sixes and five fours.

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Joshua Holling and Gareth Phillips claimed the key wickets of Duce and Smith and Congs held their nerve to win by five runs and celebrate a third Bradford League Twenty20 crown as the St Lawrence innings closed on 226-7.