Gomersal on wrong end of Heavy Woollen Cup final run-fest (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Gomersal on wrong end of Heavy Woollen Cup final run-fest

6:15pm Monday 1st August 2011 in Bradford League By Bill Marshall

Gomersal may have lost the Solly Sports Heavy Woollen Cup final by 45 runs yesterday but they played a full part in an excellent contest against Shepley at Spen Victoria on a day when the beer and the burgers ran out such was the size of the crowd.

Always under the cosh after winning the toss and batting, the JCT600 Bradford League side made a good fist of chasing 337 for victory.

And while Gomersal skipper Richard Whitehurst was at the crease, there was always the possibility that they could pull off the improbable.

Despite being hampered by an ankle injury, Whitehurst gave the reply the impetus it so badly needed and blasted 83 off just 38 balls, inlcuding six fours and seven sixes.

Adam Greenwood was also in splendid form, making 50 out of an opening stand of 98 with Andy Gorrod (61).

And Greg Pickles chipped in with 31 but SP Singh’s second spell ensured that Drakes Huddersfield League side Shepley would take the spoils, finishing with a miserly 3-26 off ten overs.

Earlier there was some free scoring by upright opener Tom Denton (148) and No 3 Tim Rees (113), who added 224 for Shepley’s second wicket, capitalising on some poor bowling, aided by 22 wides.

Man of the match Denton’s innings came off 144 balls and included 20 fours and three sixes, Rees’ knock lasting 92 balls (14 fours, four sixes).

Gorrod’s innings was off a more sedate 99 balls and included seven fours and a six, while Greenwood scored his runs off 54 balls (seven fours, two sixes).

Whitehurst said: “We have knocked off a couple of big scores this season but we let ourselves down in the first half of the match and gave ourselves too much to do, and 22 wides didn’t help.”