Happy Days! - sorry for the late report - it was a late night

CONGRATULATIONS to the first team winning the Walkden Cup by scoring 345 runs. DSL fell over 100 short. Man of the Match was West's Lee Dale for a classy 123

Walkden Cup Final 2009

Denton West CC 345 for 6         
Denton St Lawrence CC 239 All Out

Last Sunday saw the much talked about and eagerly anticipated local derby Walkden cup final between the Lancashire County League’s top 2, Denton St Lawrence and Denton West at Sycamore Park. Both teams went into the game brimming with confidence after some excellent league performances and looking to entertain a bumper crowd.

Having lost the toss we fully expected to be in the field, however to our surprise we were asked to bat first. We sprung the first surprise of the day as Skinner, fresh from his dazzling 166 against DSL seconds the week previous was thrust up the order to open the innings with the Duke, Lee Dale.

Skinner played his part brilliantly, spreading the field with some brutal hitting, particularly severe on Nadeem - taking 16 off his first over. We blasted 47 off the first 6 overs, just what the doctor ordered. Skinner though was first to fall for 29, well held by Remers in the deep off the bowling of Dublin, but it was mission accomplished. Gazza strode out to the middle and duly despatched his third ball into Whittles Walk for 6, adding 50 with Daley as we continued the early onslaught.

DSL were looking for some inspiration and found it in the shape of Dave Morrell, he held a truly stunning one hander at long off to remove the Gazza for 23. The hosts finally had a foothold in the game but a series of dropped catches saw this slip away as The Duke and Kirs went after the bowling adding further quick runs. The Duke soon brought up his half century to rapturous applause from the West faithful as a big total loomed. After Scott fell for 38 it brought the in form Bezza to the crease with the score at 210 for 3 with 16 overs to bat. It was licence to thrill time and he didn’t disappoint smacking a blistering 59 off 43 balls including 5 sixes.

Dukey also stepped on the gas as the magical 3 figures approached, going from 91 to a brilliant hundred with a huge straight 6 and then a blistering pull stroke off Dublin for 4. The crowd rose to their feet to salute a magnificent knock, on a packed ground, against your biggest rivals, in the biggest game of the season, a truly stunning effort. With 5 overs remaining West were 295 for 4 as Bez departed, Lee soon followed him off for 123 again to another tremendous reception.Tenners and Maccy(9*) then looked to push on to the 350 mark with another late flurry, Tenners particularly severe on an over from James Maurice-Scott as he smashed 3 consecutive sixes taking 21 off the over. After a quick fire 22 from just 11 balls, this brought O’B (11*) in for the last over from Steve Dublin he ensured we finished the innings in style sending the last ball sailing out the ground for 6, the innings completed with us more than happy to set 345 for 6 from their 50 overs - a record score in the Walkden Cup Final and a daunting run chase for the DSL batsmen.

If the hosts were daunted by the size of the task facing them it didn’t show as they set about the run chase, a blistering onslaught from the DSL openers Adam Hawley and Scott Allen saw 45 runs come from the first 5 overs, most from the bat of Hawley as he timed the ball sweetly and looked every inch the finished article. With the home support sensing an unlikely run chase, West went to their experienced campaigners Tenners and Jason and it was Jay who made the all important breakthrough having Allen well held by Bez at long on, out strode Matthew Wake with the game at a crucial point. We knew that if DSL were to win then this partnership would have to be a substantial one. Hawley continued his attack as the hosts kept pace at 7 an over before disaster struck for DSL, Kirs slipped in the bouncer and a mis-timed pull went straight to the safe hands of Maccy at square leg - Hawley gone for 46.

Out came Steve Dublin for what surely for the hosts had to be a big knock, Tenners though had other ideas as after being smacked for one straight six threw up the bait again, the big man couldn’t resist and Gazza did the rest at extra cover. James Maurice-Scott and Matty Wake took the score to three figures, as we shuffled the bowling. O’B came into the attack and removed Scott in his second over this time to a smart catch by Skinner at long off, DSL skipper Mayne strode out to the crease and promptly strode back again after just 1 delivery, trapped leg before by O’B ..oops!

It was now in the bag with the hosts 140 for 5 needing another 200 at nearly 10 an over. DSL Professional Abbass added a spirited 38 including 3 sixes before he too was clean bowled by O’B, Wake(62) went to a deserved and classy 50 before he became Tenners second victim, and with him went the last glimmer of hope for the saints. With the score at 220 for 7 Ten Bob removed Morrell for 20 and Remers in his next over to a flying catch by the Duke, finishing with smart figures of 9 overs 4 for 50. With the Green and Gold ribbons at the ready we just needed to apply the finishing touch, and it was O’B who capped a fine bowling display (4 for 36 off 8.2) when clean bowling Nadeem to spark scenes of celebration from the players and supporters.   

A massive thanks to everyone who came to support the lads and I’m sure nobody went away disappointed !!