Norden through to National T20 Quarter Final

Winning Norden team celebrating

On a cold, blustery day reminiscent of October the finals day began with Fleetwood playing Ormskirk in the first semi-final. Batting first Fleetwood lost a wicket to the first ball and then Adam Parker, 59 from 51 balls with six fours and two sixes, and Dean Bell, 79 also from 51 balls with 10 fours and two sixes, took the total to 128 before the second wicket fell.

Bell was then dismissed at 164 and a few more scrambled runs took the final total to a respectable 174-3. Scott Lees with 2-36 was the most successful bowler. In reply, Ormskirk also began poorly with danger man Josh Bohannon caught behind from the third ball.

They declined to 15-2, when Adam Sharrocks took a fantastic catch to dismiss Ian Robinson, before a healthy partnership between Michael Jones, 28, and George Lavelle, 44 from 23 balls with eight fours, took the total to 84. Skipper Michael Glayzer was superbly run out by Sharrocks for 14, the fielder hitting the one stump that he could see, and when it came to the last over 16 runs were required for victory.

Despite a second-ball six from Nicky Caunce, 33 not out with three fours and two sixes from just 13 balls, they could only manage 11 and, at 170-7, Ormskirk lost by four runs. For Fleetwood James Gregson took 3-18 and James Amor 3-39.

The other semi-final saw Norden take on Westhoughton, who batted first and with runs from Daniel Naylor, 32, Mark Atherton, a feisty 41 from 37 balls, Oliver Newby, 21, Ian Pilkington, 31, and Paul Atherton, 18, they totalled 164-5.

For Norden, former Lancashire player Dexter Fitton showed that he had lost none of his old guile for, after conceding a six and a four in his first over, he finished with 3-30. He was not as successful batting as he was run out for two before Hashum Malik, a rapid 43 from just 23 balls with three fours and four sixes, including 23 off one over, and skipper Simon North, 27, took the total to 67-2.

After they were dismissed Ashley Gowers 49 from 34 balls with four fours, and Harvey Fitton, 31 from 27 balls with three fours, took their side home with 12 runs from the final over as they won with one ball to spare at 168-3.

By the time of the final the sun had shown itself but the Norden openers did not enjoy it for long as Malik was caught at long off from the first ball and North was bowled from the last ball of the first over. This left Norden at a perilous 9-2.

Enter Martin Smith and Gowers, once more, and they scored freely and added 103 for the third wicket in 12 overs. Smith eventually fell for 47, with four fours and two sixes, and with Harvey Fitton failing to score it was 113-4 and the game was back in the balance. But Gowers continued imperiously and with Rehan Udwadia making a speedy 25 before being run out the final total was an impressive 192-5. Gowers, undoubtedly the man of the day, made an unbeaten 89 with 10 fours and one six.

Fleetwood's reply was immediately undermined when Parker was superbly caught and bowled off a blistering drive by Smith for six. Wayne Clarke, 34, and Bell, 25, effected a mini-recovery to take the total to 61-2.

Norden's bowlers were turning the screw and runs were difficult to come by. Tom Wilson tried desperately but once the skipper went on to bowl he perished for 17 and Sharrocks. two, fell in the same over; 91-4 quickly became 91-5.

By then the October-like day had transmuted into one from November and the rain came down steadily. There was no alternative but to call the game off with Fleetwood, well behind the required run rate at 91-5.

Simon North did not complete his first over but returned figures of 0.3-0-1-2 to add to one wicket each for Dexter Fitton, Malik and Smith. Norden were duly declared deserved winners on run rate and proceed to the next round of the competition.

Despite the weather it was a great day all round and the many spectators thoroughly enjoyed the day's fare. Thanks to Fleetwood Cricket Club for laying on a superb day and to all the teams participating for making it so enjoyable.

The Regional Final will take place on Sunday 21 August when they play Bramhall (at Bramhall).

If they win that the final will be on Tuesday 6 September at the County Ground, Derby.