Cricket: Hyenas edge out Monkeys in Friday night T20 Clash

Heywood Monkeys slipped to a one-run defeat at home to Heyside Hyenas in an exciting Marstons T20 Cup opener before a Friday night crowd at Crimble.

Heyside gave a fine account of themselves to post a challenging 147-5 from their 20 overs, then Heywood’s reply fell one run short despite a last ball six from Riley Paterson.

The Heywood was always under pressure after an opening stand of 42 between Ben Holt and Declan Wilkinson, the former impressing with an aggressive 31, before professional Somila Seyibokwe and Nicky Campbell put together what was to prove the crucial partnership.

Campbell gave the South African valuable support with 34 in a stand of 80, while Seyibokwe went on to complete an excellent 52 from just 36 balls.

Heywood’s eventual victory target of 148 was a challenging one although they looked on course after an opening stand of 37 until the fall of Andy Dawson.

That brought in Danny Pawson to join Bobby Cross and the duo threatened to build the foundations for victory with a stand of 44.

Just when the Heyside's attack looked to be wilting, Pawson fell lbw attempting a reverse sweep for a hard-hitting 34 off just 20 balls – and the tide started to turn.

Cross went nine balls later for 44 from 38 balls, Wes Hunt became the second player to perish attempting a reverse sweep and Sean Burrill also came and went quickly.

Paterson joined captain Travis Townsend at 116-5 with another 32 runs still needed off 19 balls, and the duo battled hard yet still needed 17 from the last over.

Despite that last ball six from Paterson they fell agonisingly short, with Townsend ending on 33 from 34 balls and his partner 18 from just 12.

A setback for Heywood but they still have further group games against Thornham Thunder (at home next Friday, May 25), Littleborough Lakeside, Royton Renegades and Shaw Spartans to attempt to make progress.

Heyside Hyenas

• B Holt b Townsend 31
• D Wilkinson c Hunt b Dawson 11
• S Seyibokwe lbw b Paterson 52
• N Campbell b Morley 34
• R Barnes c Dawson b Pawson 8
• D Schierhout not out 2
• J Warburton not out 0
• Extras 9
• Total (for 5 wkts, 20 overs) 147
• Fall of wickets: 1-42, 2-46, 3-126, 4-139, 5-145
• Bowling: J Morley 4-1-24-1, T McQuinn 2-0-29-0, D Pawson 4-0-23-1, A Dawson 4-1-24-1, T Townsend 2-0-16-1, R Paterson 4-0-26-1

Heywood Monkeys

• R Cross c Seyibokwe b Wilkinson 44
• A Dawson c Warburton b Newton 7
• D Pawson lbw b Wilkinson 34
• T Townsend not out 33
• W Hunt b Goddard 5
• S Burrill c Goddard b Barnes 2
• R Paterson not out 18
• Extras 3
• Total (for 5 wkts, 20 overs) 146
• Fall of wickets: 1-37, 2-81, 3-90, 4-109, 5-116
• Bowling: D Schierhout 4-0-19-0, S Seyibokwe 2-0-25-0, C Newton 3-0-31-1, D Wilkinson 4-0-31-2, M Goddard 4-0-20-1, R Barnes 3-0-19-1