Cricket - Final collapse wrecks Netherfield T20 hopes (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Cricket - Final collapse wrecks Netherfield T20 hopes

8:56pm Sunday 9th August 2009 in Sport By Gazette Sports

NETHERFIELD lost to Preston by 90 runs in the final of the Furness Building Society Twenty20 Cup at Parkside on Sunday.

After winning the toss, Preston chose to bat first, something Netherfield had done in all their previous matches in this year's competition.

Preston raced to 48 off five overs and although Netherfield managed to contain them better later, they still set a very competitive target of 178-8.

Saj Patel hit 48 and Adam Parker 35 as the mainstays of their innings.

Netherfield, whose Australian professional Glen Batticciotto had scored a magnificent 100 in their 47-run win over Morecambe in the semi-finals, were soon in trouble in their reply in the final.

They had slumped to 13-4 by the fifth over and never recovered from the early blows, finishing at 88 all out in the 18th over.

Luckman Vahaulwala bowled danger-man Batticiotto for two and skipper Bilal Asad finished with 3-16 and stepped up to receive the cup from Northern League president Brian Standing.

In the other semi-final, Preston beat Darwen by three wickets, restricting Darwen to 133 all out and knocking off the runs at 136-7 with five balls to spare.

Kendal beat Blackpool by 50 runs in the League Cup semi-final at Stanley Park. The visitors made 180-2, with Terry Hunte hitting 80 not out and Ross McMillan 52 not out, and they bowled out Blackpool for 130.