We threw it away, admits sad skipper

Photo: Chris Sunderland

CELEBRATION . . . Rick Valentine runs to his team-mates after dismissing Royton skipper Alan Durose in yesterday’s Twenty20 semi-final.

CRICKET: ROYTON skipper Alan Durose could not hide his disappointment after seeing his side lose yesterday’s John Willie Lees Twenty20 semi-final clash against Middleton in dramatic fashion.

Chasing 126, the visitors were cruising to victory and found themselves on 90 for three with nine overs remaining.

But a batting collapse saw them lose five wickets for just seven runs as they slumped to 109 all out.

Middleton went on to win the competition, making 153 for six against Rochdale, who were skittled for 101.

Durose said: "It is a game we should definitely have won. The shot selection was not good enough. Just because this format makes it a shorter cricket match it does not mean boundaries are always the answer.

"We had done half of the job because after Middleton's good start with the bat, we improved and managed to restrict them to a reasonable total, when they initially looked like reaching around 180.

"I was pleased to see us bowl with a good level of discipline.

"Unfortunately, after dominating the first three-quarters of the tie we threw it all away in the final quarter.

"It is a tough one to take after getting into such a promising position, but all we can do is go away and learn from it.

"As much as we wanted to win, this competition was a bonus. The league position is the most important thing and that has to be our main focus."

Middleton paid man Michael Smith led the early charge for the home outfit before he was caught by Liam Mason off Royton stand-in pro Kamran Hussain for 38.

Skipper Steve Davey added 31 before being clean bowled by Chris Hutchinson.

Middleton's momentum slowed as Durose emerged with an impressive return of four for 18.

In reply, Royton flew out of the traps and opener Ryan Carruthers was in fine form on his way to 48.

But after looking set to complete an easy victory, Royton collapsed.

The key wicket fell when the resilient Chris Hutchinson was run out by Danny Royle for 18.

And in the 18th over, Middleton completed mission impossible as Smith was stumped by Davey for two, to the delight of the Towncroft faithful.