Big chance goes begging for Werneth

WERNETH must have thought they had one foot in the final of the JW Lees Bitter Tom Hardman Twenty20 Competition when they reduced hosts Unsworth to 19 for four.

But a batting recovery and a woeful reply brought an abrupt end to the local club’s challenge.

Unsworth were then beaten in the final against Norden, who saw off Monton and Weaste in the second semi-final.

The early clatter of Unsworth wickets at the hands of Werneth was no great surprise given the lively pitch.

The previous day’s deluge and muggy conditions for the semi-final certainly gave bowlers the advantage, and Werneth skipper Matt Taylor led by example with one wicket for six runs in four miserly overs.

Taylor and professional Mohammed Zaman Khan did the early damage, but Unsworth paid man Chris Williams pioneered a recovery with a patient 33 before he was stumped by Rob Shaw off Zaman Khan.

Unsworth looked set for a score of around 100, but some lusty late blows from Jack O’Brien and Alex Blake took them to 119 for eight. Zaman Khan finished with four for 25.

That total seemed useful given the difficult batting conditions and it was made to look even better when Werneth, like Unsworth, made a disastrous start.

Overseas amateur Levi Thompson-Matthews and Zaman Khan were considered key men to the Werneth cause, but both lost their wickets cheaply and the rest soon followed.

At 21 for six, the game was virtually over and even though Shaw and the fit-again Joe Taylor cleared the ropes, their efforts were in a lost cause.

Taylor’s stumping proved the last act of the semi-final, leaving the jubilant hosts celebrating in the middle.

Liam Richards, who is particularly effective on his home square, took three for 10, while Williams conceded only six runs and took one wicket in his three overs.

The Unsworth attack bowled well as a unit, but Werneth's shot selection was poor and, after that great start to the semi-final, they will feel this was a golden opportunity thrown away.

Scores —

Semi-finals: Unsworth 119-8, Werneth 64; Norden 147 (Malik 51), Monton and Weaste 118.

Final: Norden 142 (Malik 51, Salpietro 33), Unsworth 83 (North 4-13).