SOUTH KIRKLEES KWIK CRICKET FINAL

Honley Cricket Club recently hosted the South Kirklees Kwik Cricket Final.  Pennine and Newsome School Sport Partnerships were represented by six schools each, who had come through family and partnership rounds for the chance now to compete for a place at the West Yorkshire Youth Games later on in June.

The 12 teams were split into 2 groups playing on a round robin basis with the top 2 teams from each group going into the semi finals.

GROUP A saw a very strong side from Kirkburton amass 389 runs in wining all their matches to claim top spot and a place in the semis.  Fighting it out for second place were Paddock and Lindley, with both teams winning 3 of their groups matches it was their game that would prove decisive.  With Lindley registering a narrow victory by just 8 runs they joined Kirkburton in the Semi Finals.

GROUP B was equally tight with a high standard of cricket across the board.  Rowley Lane however were the standout performers claiming 5 wins from 5 matches and going through to the semi finals.  The game between Kirkheaton and Meltham C of E would be the one to determine the second qualifying place.  A powerful and determined Meltham side progressed with and impressive display of batting and fielding registering 87 runs and taking 9 wickets.

Lindley v Rowley Lane

Opening the batting were Lindley who set a total of 52 for Rowley Lane to chase after losing only 3 wickets in the 8 overs.  Rowley Lane battled gallantly to register the runs required but in the end fell ten short of Lindleys total.

Kirkburton v Meltham C of E

Another tight game between two strong sides opened with Kirkburton registering 25 runs for Meltham to chase.  With both fielding sides on top limiting the runs, the teams were separated by 2 extra boundaries hit by Meltham C of E sending them into the final with 34 runs.

Kirkburton v Rowley Lane

Although finishing top in the group stages, both teams had been edged out by 2 sides gaining momentum in the knock out stages.  In a match reflecting the high standard both sides had shown throughout, Rowley Lane came in third after registering 38 runs to Kirkburtons 31.

Meltham C of E v Lindley

In a turn around from the round robin stage it was the teams finishing second in their groups who progressed into the final.  As the day had gathered pace so had last years champions Meltham C of E who were in impressive form by this stage.  Firstly they reduced Lindley to 4 runs from their innings taking 7 wickets in the process.  They then went on to register 50 runs of their own to regain their title. We now wish Meltham C of E the best of luck in representing Kirklees at the West Yorkshire Youth Games on June 26^th at Leeds Met.

The setting was perfect, the weather was great and the standard of Cricket was outstanding!  We could not have hoped for a better afternoon to be enjoyed by all who took part or spectated.

Huge thanks must go to competition sponsors ASDA who provided T-Shirts and certificates as well as fruit and drinks for all taking part.  Thanks also to Honley Cricket Club for providing an excellent venue as well as opining their bar to the spectators!  Finally the a massive thank you to the Young Leaders from Shelley College, Greenhead College, Newsome High School, Holmfirth High School and King James High School, who did an outstanding job in umpiring the matches so professionally.