Shelley defeated Keighley by three wickets with five balls to spare to clinch the Solly Sports Crowther Cup at Morley today.

Keighley were bowled out for 177 with their skipper Alan Birkett making an unbeaten 88, but crucially they failed to use up three of their 50 overs and it proved crucial.

Alan Birkett receives the Man of the Match award from Ken Dunwell

Birkett dominated the Keighley innings. He hit a six and 12 fours, but was crucially deprived of the strike at key times by his colleagues.

Too many of them failed to push the singles that would have enabled the skipper to maintain the momentum in his innings.

It was to be a fatal error because the last five wickets went down for 39 runs and Birkett was left stranded at the end of the innings.

Danny Greenwood (3-17) and Gareth Wakefield (3-38) were the most successful bowlers, but opening bowlers Paul Goodman (1-31) in ten overs and John Andrew (1-25) in ten overs, set the tone and spinner Kamran Khan (2-27) followed their example.

Apart from Birkett, Paul Wilkinson (31) was the only other batsman to reach double figures in the Keighley innings.

Shelley suffered an early setback in their reply when skipper David Greaves was well caught by wicketkeeper Chris Crook off Paul Wilkinson's bowling for six.

Gary Eastwood and Tim Jones made light of the setback and added 68 for the second wicket before Jones was dismissed for 35.

Eastwood went on to complete his fourth half-century in the competition with a six and seven fours before holing out for 55 to a catch in the deep by James Wilkinson off the bowling of Alex Towler.

Groundsman Mally Larkin who along with Dave Goodlad produced an excellent playing surface

Towler and Rob French each took two for 22 in ten overs, but when they departed from the attack Chris Dimbylow (32) and John Andrew (27) took their side to the brink of victory before departing in quick successsion. It was left to Paul Goodman and Danny Greenwood to seal Shelley's win.

Keighley skipper Birkett was named Man of the Match by adjudicator Alan Birkinshaw for his excellent knock which ensured this final developed into such an absorbing contest.

The Morley club were congratulated by the Heavy Woollen Committee for the excellent condition of their ground and the promotion of the game.