Greg Pickles smashed a six off the final ball of the match yesterday to earn Gomersal a dramatic three-wicket win over Hanging Heaton and a place in the final of the Solly Sports Heavy Woollen Cup.

Pickles launched the last delivery from Hanging Heaton skipper John Carruthers to spark wild celebrations among the home supporters in a large, sun-drenched crowd.

It was fitting that Pickles should make the winning hit because his innings of 106 not out lit up a match which was a credit to both clubs.

Pickles hit fives sixes and seven fours and was joined in an unbroken eighth-wicket stand of 47 off 34 balls by 16-year-old Jack Seddon which saw Gomersal snatch victory from Hanging Heaton’s grasp.

There was still plenty to do for the Gomersal pair when the match entered its final over. They needed 14 to beat Hanging Heaton’s score of 281.

There were loud cheers from the Hanging Heaton followers as Seddon failed to connect with the first delivery, but a single from the second brought Pickles back on strike.

He opened his shoulders and sent the ball flying over the midwicket boundary for six. Now it was the turn of the Gomersal supporters to make themselves heard.

A single brought Pickles his century and it was greeted with the acclaim it deserved.

A single for Seddon off the fifth ball meant Pickles was back on strike for the final act of a dramatic match.

He didn’t disappoint his side’s followers. He launched the ball over the boundary at midwicket.

Hanging Heaton’s players looked shell-shocked as they congratulated their opponents, but they will be wondering how they let the game slip from their grasp.

Although it is easy to point the finger at their bowling in the final ten overs, their biggest failing was not posting a score in excess of 300 when they had the perfect foundation.

Openers Rob McFarlane (64) and Mark Lawson (32) shared a brisk stand of 65, then Joe Fraser (32) added 66 with McFarlane as Hanging Heaton reached 131-2.

Alan Mynett (47), Imran Dawood (45) and Nick Bresnan (39) all threatened to take the game away from the home side, but Gomersal stuck to their task. Dan Lloyd took 4-47 as Hanging Heaton lost wickets and momentum at key times.

To find themselves chasing 282 to win rather than a score in excess of 300 seemed to give Gomersal heart. Openers Andy Gorrod and Adam Greenwood gave their side further encouragement with a stand of 49.

Gorrod struck a six and six fours in another valuable innings of 50, before he was trapped lbw by spinner Umar Rehman.

His departure left Pickles carrying Gomersal’s hopes - and how well he responded.

Ben Platt (32) helped add 79 for the fifth wicket with Pickles, but even then a Gomersal win looked unlikely.

Pickles clearly thought otherwise and gradually increased the tempo and eventually secured a win he and his team-mates will savour for a long time.

Gomersal will have to wait to discover who their opponents will be in the final at Spen Victoria on July 31.

Shepley and Slaithwaite meet in the second semi-final next Sunday.