Posted: August 3, 2008

Evasive action: Wrenthorpe opener Eric Austin ducks a delivery from Barnsley opening bowler Joe Ellis. Picture courtesy of the Dewsbury Reporter and Wakefield Express

 

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The125th anniversary celebrations of the the Solly Sports Heavy Woollen Cup could not have had a more fitting climax as Wrenthorpe and Barnsley produced the competition's first tied final.

Wrenthorpe retained the cup by virtue of losing less wickets - eight to Barnsley's nine - but this game will live long in the memories of all who saw it.

This was a true cricket classic and a match which spoke volumes not just for the Heavy Woollen Cup, but for cricket in general.

This match had drama, excitement, powerful batting and a wonderfully fitting venue in Spen Victoria.

Those who paid to watch were treated to a cup final of the highest quality and disappointed as Barnsley were at losing the match, they bore their pain in a manner which spoke volumes for them.

With four overs to go, Wrenthorpe appeared to be cruising to a comfortable win. Barnsley needed 72 to win and were eight wickets down. It didn't seem conceivable that they could get near Wrenthorpe's score of 237-8, but they did.

The man who brought the game to life was Joe Ellis. He smashed seven sixes in a 17-ball innings of 54 not out which must be one of the most savage knocks ever played in the competition.

The 48th over will rank as one of the most dramatic in a Heavy Woollen Cup final. Ellis charged the first ball frtom Wrenthorpe skipper Kevin Watson but missed and a possible fourth stumping for wicketkeeper Jonathan Smith disappeared as the ball sped to the boundary for five wides.

The next four all sailed over the boundary for sixes as Ellis struck out with real ferocity. A total of 32 runs came from the over and when seven more came from the penultimate over from Neil Gill, Barnsley needed 24 from the final over.

Watson removed himself from the attack and restored overseas bowler Dinusha Fernando for the final over. The crowd were on their feet as Ellis hammered the first ball for six. Skipper Graham Wilson was run out attempting a second run from the next ball before Ellis hammered another six.

Wrenthorpe opener John Inglis plays cautiously. Picture by courtesy of Dewsbury Reporter and Wakefield Express

With nine men back on the boundary, Ellis took two from the fourth ball, before hitting the next for six to complete a 16-ball half-century. Barnsley needed three from the final ball to win. Ellis swung hard but could only manage two and the scores were tied. Wrenthorpe were the winners but Barnsley, and Ellis in particular, had won the hearts of the crowd. He finished unbeaten of 54 and deserved every bit of the applause his efforts earned

The tone for Ellis's late assault was set by Greig Batty. He hit three sixes and four fours in a fine knock of 58 which stirred the Barnsley innings from its slumbers. At 91-5 the innings appeared to be faltering but Batty made a rousing response and it was his efforts which triggered the amazing climax.

Watson was the most successful Wrenthorpe bowler with three for 54 - his analysis was seriously disfigured by the 32 he yielded in his final over. Neil Gill (2-32) and David Paynter (2-33) were also among the wickets while Gary Fellows produced a mean spell of 0-20 in 10 overs which kept Barnsley's early batting in check.

Earlier, Fellows had rescued his side with the bat. At 116-6 they were in deep trouble, but Fellows found a willing ally in Fernando. The Sri Lankan played with great control as the two added 96 priceless runs. Fellows had his luck, he was dropped at mid-wicket and played one ball onto his stumps without the bails coming off.

Lady Luck was smiling on him and he capitlalised with 65 runs off 69 balls with three sixes and six fours. Fernando hit a six and four fours and their efforts ensured that Wrenthorpe posted a score of 237-8 which must have exceeded the expectations of their captain when he won the toss and chose to bat.

Veteran Mark Beardshall took three for 29 in ten tight overs for Barnsley while Andy Carrington (2-31) was the other bowler to impress, but the South Yorkshire men must have been disappointed with the size of Wrenthorpe's total.

That they managed to match it speaks volumes for their character and never -say-die, spirit. If ever there was to be glory in defeat this was the occasion.

Fellows was subsequently named man of the match, but it could so easily have been the amazing Ellis, Batty, Beardshall or Fernando. Perhaps this was an occasion when all 22 players were men of the match. To coin a modern phrase, this was awesome cricket, played with fierce determination, passion, skill and above all a sportsmanship which should be remembered just as long as the wonderful cricket.

It is certain for many years to come this match will evoke wonderful memories for those who were priveleged to witness it.

The jubilant Wrenthopre team. Picture by courtesy of AS Photos