2008 CC Cup Final

Barnsley skipper Richard Ledger raises the Crowther Cup aloft	Man of the Match Tom Whittaker receives his award from Dave Sharp

Barnsley scored a comfortable 81-run win over Liversedge to win the Solly Sports Crowther Cup at Hanging Heaton.

Barnsley made 168 all out after winning the toss and choosing to bat and then bowled out Liversedge for 87.

Barnsley, who also beat Liversedge in the 2003 final, were disappointed to only make 168 – a point made by their captain Richard Ledger when he reflected on their victory.

Ledger said: “We didn’t bat well. Too many players reached double figures, but got out in careless fashion. I was one of them and I was disappointed that we didn’t post a bigger total.”

But Ledger was delighted with his side’s performance in the field. “We bowled well and backed the bowlers up with our fielding. We made it hard for them to score runs and that pressure resulted in them playing careless shots,” the Barnsley skipper added.

Liversedge, who fielded an interesting mix of five senior players and six players under 21, should be pleased with the way they performed with the ball.

The veteran seamer Simon Horkin was their most successful bowler with four for 31, but their teenage bowlers did their side proud.

None performed better than 15-year-old leg spinner Euan Hardcastle who took one for 28 in an impressive ten over spell.

Left armer Ben Cross (2-27) and Adam Ives (1-24) picked up wickets while James Hardcastle bowled nine economical overs for figures of one for 23.

Jamie Green (28) and Paul Benson (26) were two of the batsmen to be dismissed when looking set as Barnsley dipped to 98-5. The man who ensured they didn’t slide into further trouble was Tom Whittaker. He battled hard for 41 not out, the highest individual score of the game, which enabled Barnsley to make 168.

Liversedge were delighted to have restricted their opponents to such a modest score, but they knew they needed a sound start if they were to lift the cup for the first time.

Unfortunately for them they didn’t get one. Their old heads exercised early caution but they found runscoring difficult.

Skipper Jonny Newsome (27) was the top scorer but once he departed only former Huddersfield Town footballer Simon Trevitt (17) lasted for long.

Paul Benson took four for 17 in nine economical overs of off spin, while skipper Ledger took three for 17 in eight overs. Their efforts meant that Liversedge were dismissed for 87.

The Barnsley team celebrate their win