League leaders Blackrod into last four in T20 competition

In the Anthony Axford North West Cricket League T20 quarter-finals, Blackrod, Lostock, Ribblesdale Wanderers and Whalley made it through to Finals Day.

Blackrod faced Little Lever last Friday and Nipun Gaikwad was dismissed for 49 in the fifth over as Lever went on to total 198-5 in their 20 overs.

Set a revised 171 from 17 overs for victory, Navod Paranavithana lost his wicket for 44 in the sixth over with the score at 76.

Antonio Greenidge then took over, his 91 from 43 deliveries giving Blackrod victory in the final over.

Cameron Murray was the mainstay of Kearsley’s innings with 60 out of their 114-7 against Lostock, Reece Gray taking 4-22.

Muhammad Suleman then carried his bat, with 76 not out as Lostock won by three wickets.

Ribblesdale won the toss and elected to bat against Cherry Tree, and they got off to a good start as Bilal Ahmed (19) and Jordan Hermann put on 46 for the first wicket in just five overs.

Mack Spencer (23) joined Hermann and they took the score over the 100 mark before the latter fell for 55 to a spectacular diving catch on the boundary edge by Mikey Copeland.

Hammad Amin gave the innings late momentum, making 37no, including two fours and three sixes in a final total of 165-6.

Copeland led the reply as he dominated an opening partnership of 55 in seven overs, with Mark Hadfield, who made 11.

At 100-2 off 13 overs, the match was in the balance. However, Cherry Tree lost four wickets for two runs, including Copeland for 62 (five fours and four sixes), who was caught diving full length by Spencer.

This proved to be the turning point. The run rate continued to rise and despite 25no off 15 deliveries from Adeel Mohammed, Cherry Tree ended on 146-7 to give Ribblesdale a 19-run victory.

Barrowford having already beaten three senior teams, were looking to pull off another giant-killing act against Whalley.

They won the toss but struggled against Whalley’s bowling attack, losing wickets on a regular basis.

Shuja Rashid top scored with 17 as they were bowled out for just 99 in 16.3 overs. Levi Wolfenden was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4-19.

Barrowford had defended low totals in the group games, but an 88-run opening partnership between Frankie Jackson and Stuart Crabtree (34) took Whalley near their target.

Jackson ended on 54no off 42 deliveries, including seven fours and two sixes as Whalley reached their target with eight overs to spare and for the loss of only the one wicket.