Ton-up pro seals glory for Heyside

CRICKET:

GERRIE Snyman smashed Heyside to victory in breathtaking style in the Versasteel Saddleworth and District League Twenty20 competition finals day.

In glorious sunshine at the picturesque home of Micklehurst, professional Snyman hammered 146 not out in the final to see off Moorside.

After defeating Droylsden earlier in the afternoon, Lloyd Kingston's Moorside took first knock in the final in front of a sun-baked crowd thought to number well over 500.

Franny Sutherland – who cracked 62 off just 22 balls – and Francois Mostert, with 36 off 24 deliveries, clocked up an early 80-plus partnership and Moorside were flying as they raced to 106 for one off just eight overs.

But Snyman intervened with the ball to peg back Moorside with four for 16.

Yet despite that excellent return, Moorside clocked up a very defendable 213 for six.

Snyman, though, went about the task in devastating fashion.

Largely in tandem with Nick Campbell – who himself scored 55 runs off 32 balls – Snyman smashed 12 sixes and 12 fours in an amazing match-winning knock from just 55 deliveries as Heyside successfully defended their Twenty20 title.

There was a moment of umpiring drama as Heyside closed in on their win, which led to five minutes of almost comical confusion.

With Snyman and Campbell in ruthless mood and requiring just 29 to win in the 16th over, umpire Peter Lilley seemed to bring the match to a conclusion as it had appeared that Heyside's 75 minutes at the crease – as per league rules – was up.

It wasn't until a lady spectator from the crowd consulted the scorers and confirmed that the innings was, in fact, just 56 minutes old, that play resumed and Heyside continued their victory march.

Heyside defeated hosts Micklehurst by 35 runs in the first semi-final, while Moorside saw off Droylsden by 16 runs as Craig Taylor bagged a hat-trick in figures of five for 39.