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Match Day

Sunday 22nd August 2010

READERS CUP FINAL

DARWEN'S CUP

Readers Cup Final glory for Cordingley's boys

Neil Cordingley wins Man of the Match

By Michael Latham



Darwen's team and supporters celebrate Readers Cup success

Darwen won the Readers Cup after defeating Morecambe in a thrilling final played in front of a large, sun-kissed crowd at Woodhill Lane. John Cordingley's talented young side beat Morecambe by 18 runs though the result was in doubt until the last few balls of a superbly contested final.

Neil Cordingley lifted the Man of the Match award for a superb innings of 71 but was pushed hard by team-mate Chris Clarke whose off-spin accounted for four Morecambe batsmen in a crucial spell that cost only 23 runs.

Darwen's out-cricket was outstanding with Kamran Anwar and Nathan Jackson in particular taking fine catches in the outfield and pro Mohammad Zaman Khan running out his opposite number, Mandla Mashimbyi with a direct hit to mark a crucial turning point in the contest. The game was also marked by two fine wicketkeeping displays by Morecambe's Lewis Edge and Darwen's Jordan Clarke.

Invited to bat by Morecambe captain Tommy Clough Darwen lost their first two wickets for 39 with the prolific Zaman Khan caught at mid on by Mark Woodhead off Mashimbyi for 8 and the in-form Jordan Clarke adjudged leg before to Reg Cupit for 14. But Neil Cordingley and Alex Davies batted sensibly to lay the foundations for Darwen's challenging total of 189 for 5 in their 40 overs.

The talented 15-year-old Davies, the Cedric Rhoades LCB Player of the Season in 2009, confirmed his rich potential with a highly responsible innings of 45 off 83 balls while his elder partner went on to reach 71 off 86 balls, the pair adding 83 for the third wicket. After reaching 50 off 70 balls Cordingley went on to hit eight fours before he was bowled by Chris Willaims.

Darwen skipper John Cordingley batted fluently to make an unbeaten 25 off 18 balls with Chris Clarke making 10 not out from five balls as Darwen posted 84 from their final ten overs.

Morecambe skipper Clough bowled an economical spell of off-spin to concede just 20 runs from his eight overs with Williams taking two for 40.

Cumberland CCC batsman Ikram Ullah threatened to take the game away from Darwen as he batted superbly to reach 34 off 40 balls with six fours before he was caught by John Cordingley off Chris Wade.

Several Morecambe batsmen made starts without going on to make the big innings that was needed to reduce the scoreboard pressure. Mark Woodhead was bowled by Kamran Anwar for 9, Phil Dennison caught superbly by Anwar off Chris Clarke for 28, Chris Williams bowled by Wade for 8 and Ryan Smith fell to a well-judged catch by Jackson in front of the pavilion for 6 as the home side slumped to 94 for 5.

Edge partnered Mashimbyi in a stand of 41 for the sixth wicket that threatened to bring Morecambe back into the game until he was brilliantly stumped by Jordan Clarke for 17. When Clough, Saturday's match-winner against Chorley was caught in the deep by Anwar third ball Morecambe's hopes rested with their professional.



Kamran Anwar celebrated catching Morecambe skipper Tommy Clough

But after making 33 off 38 balls Mashimbyi was run out by Zaman Khan and with his departure went Morecambe's victory hopes. Jordan Clarke made another stumping to dismiss Alex Thistlethwaite off Zaman Khan and Morecambe's innings closed on 171 when Graeme Cassidy was caught by Davies in the deep for 12 off Khan.

Chris Clarke took the bowling honours with four for 23 but received valuable support from Wade (two for 25) and his professional (two for 23).

Neil Pullen, representing the sponsors Readers made the choice of Man of the Match and decided that Neil Cordingley's valuable innings coupled with his six overs for 35 edged him above team-mate Chris Clarke in the reckoning.



League President Brian Standing makes the Man of the Match award to Neil Cordingley

League President Brian Standing duly made the presentation of the Man of the Match award to the Darwen all rounder. Mr Pullen and League Chairman Norman Poole then presented silver runners-up medals to the Morecambe side and the runners-up cup to captain Clough.

The Darwen team then received their individual gold winners' medals before John Cordingley was presented with the Readers Cup and Shield. Darwen also receive �250 of clothing vouchers from the sponsors.



Readers representative Neil Pullen and League Chairman Norman Poole present the Readers Cup and Shield to Darwen skipper John Cordingley

The Darwen side then celebrated their success with their large travelling band of supporters as the sun set on a wonderful exhibition of the best in Northern League cricket.

The umpires were Tommy Wilson and Bill Burrow.

Morecambe CC staged the game exceptionally well and are to be commended for their organisation in what was one of the highlights of the season.

RESULT

Readers Cup Final

Division One

at Morecambe CC

MORECAMBE v DARWEN

Darwen won by 18 runs

Darwen 189 for 5 (N Cordingley 71, A Davies 45), Morecambe 171 (C Clarke 4 for 23)

Scorecard


TO SEE MIKE LATHAM'S PICTURES OF THE DAY


Readers Cup Final

Morecambe v Darwen
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