Ribblesdale XI show what league can do in T20 comp

They took on select XIs from the Bolton League, Greater Manchester Cricket League and the Liverpool Competition with two semi-finals and the decider played on the day at Egerton Cricket Club.

In the first match of the day the GMCL saw off the Bolton League with a comprehensive victory, winning by five wickets with six overs to spare.

The Ribblesdale League then batted first against a strong Liverpool side and posted 166-7.

They got off to a bad start losing Callum Clarke, Will Wrathall and Matt Nutter all without troubling the scorers.

Matt Walker and Andrew Needham then looked to rebuild and did just that.

Walker hit 54 from just 32 balls including six sixes and was supported well by Needham who made 36.

Late runs from Declan Bailey (17 not out) and Eddy Read (21 not out) enabled the Ribblesdale League to post a competitive score.

In reply, the Liverpool competition got off to a good start and at one point were 61-1.

However tight bowling supported by athletic fielding restricted them to 154-7 with the Ribblesdale League winning by 12 runs.

The final saw them go up against the competition favourites the GMCL, who batted first and got off to a fast start.

The Ribblesdale League fought back though through economical spells from Sam MacLachlan and Johnny Beech, with some excellent catches also helping restrict the GMCL to 155-8.

In reply openers Clarke and Nutter put on 55 for the first wicket in good time but the introduction of two spinners slowed the run rate and brought about a collapse.

Tom Turner made a valiant 38 but Ribblesdale ended on 122-8 giving GMCL a comfortable victory.

nRibblesdale League: John Pearson (manager), Matt Walker (Read, captain), Andrew Needham (Ribblesdale Wanderers, wicketkeeper), Callum Clarke (Padiham), Will Wrathall (Read), Matt Nutter (Earby), Tom Turner (Read), Jake Hargreaves (Earby), Eddy Read (Settle), Declan Bailey (Whalley), Johnny Beech (Barnoldswick), Sam MacLachlan (Brinscall)