By Noel Bullock
New Farnley Cricket Club booked their place in the Heavy Woollen Cup Final with an impressive 34-run victory over Hoylandswaine, producing an excellent all-round performance at The Barry Jackson Ground on Sunday.
After losing the toss, New Farnley were asked to bat first and posted an imposing 242 all out from 49.1 overs. The innings was built around a superb 87 from Gurman Randhawa, who struck nine boundaries from 137 balls.
He was well supported by Adam Ahmed, who made a valuable 59 from 75 deliveries, including eight fours, while Fletcher Coutts contributed an entertaining 18.
There were also useful contributions from Reuben Majithia (14) and Abhay Negi (14) as New Farnley steadily accumulated runs throughout their innings.
The New Farnley bowling attack then produced the performance required to defend the total. Abhay Negi was outstanding, claiming 4 wickets for 43 runs from 10 overs, while Randhawa 2-31, Ahmed 2-34 and Coutts 2-44 all chipped in and played their part.
Hoylandswaine made a determined effort in reply, with former Nottinghamshire and England all-rounder Samit Patel top-scoring with 50 from 72 balls and Aaron Lilley made 42. However, New Farnley’s disciplined bowling and fielding eventually saw Hoylandswaine dismissed for 208 in 41.3 overs, securing a 34-run victory for the home side.
It was another excellent team performance from New Farnley, with Randhawa’s outstanding 87 providing the platform with the bat and Negi’s magnificent four-wicket haul leading the way with the ball.
The victory keeps New Farnley’s Heavy Woollen Cup campaign alive and sends them through to the Final for a sixth consecutive season, with the team continuing their impressive run across all competitions this season.
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