Rain interrupts final

CRICKET:

HEYWOOD and Walsden must try again tonight – weather permitting – to decide which club will have its name etched on the John Willie Lees Wood Cup as this year's winners of the Lake Garage CLL's premier knock-out competition.

Heavy rain ended play at Crimble at 7pm, after a delay of more than an hour, with Heywood on 15 for one in reply to Walsden's 163 for nine.

After Walsden's disappointing score, Heywood held the upper hand, but the run out of opening batsman Ross Zelem – the victim of a direct hit from Joe Gale's throw – will have given Walsden some encouragement.

Earlier, Walsden failed to make the most of winning the toss, batting first and enjoying a good start through openers Jake Hooson and James Rawlinson.

The pair put on 36 before Rawlinson (25) holed out to mid-off.

It was the introduction of spinner Chris Kaye, however, that really put the skids under Walsden.

Kaye bowled beautifully, collecting three frontline wickets for just 12 runs off 10 overs.

Walsden never recovered despite a skilful 38 from the in-form Nick Barker and 28 from Josh Gale.

Heywood's overseas amateur Riley Paterson took three for 32 and former Royton spinner Joe Lovell two for 44.

Heywood began their reply under grey skies and it soon became apparent the match would be going into a second day.

With today's forecast not encouraging, either, the prospect of play tomorrow evening is a worry for Heywood's players, several of whom are due to set off on a week's cricketing tour of Worcestershire.