Hussain blasts Mills into first final for 33 years

Manningham Mills powered their way into their first Sovereign Health Care Priestley Cup final for 33 years as they defeated Hanging Heaton by five wickets.

They will now meet East Bierley at Spen Victoria on Sunday, August 26 and will be bidding to win the cup for only the second time in their history.

It was fitting that they should reach the final just days after the death of former Yorkshire and England player Don Wilson who was man of the match as they defeated Lightcliffe by four wickets in the 1977 final.

Rain forced the match to be reduced to 30 overs a side, but it did nothing to diminish the quality of the batting.

The spectators were treated to two outstanding innings. Rob McFarlane hit a magnificent 107 for Hanging Heaton, then Farakh Hussain struck a stunning 70 off 39 balls as Mills overhauled their opponents’ score of 201-7 with 3.2 overs to spare.

McFarlane dominated the Hanging Heaton innings when they were asked to bat first. Six sixes and nine fours flowed from his bat during a 79-ball innings.

Big-hitting David Stiff smashed 30 as Hanging Heaton pushed their score past the 200 mark , Adil Islam (2-33) and Zeeshan Qasim (2-34) were the best of the bowlers.

Manningham Mills soon signaled their intentions when they replied. Hussain led a furious assault which saw him smash five sixes and seven fours. By the time he departed at 127-3 after 14.3 overs, Manningham Mills needed just 75 to win from 15.3 overs.

Adam Patel, who will be hoping to add a Sovereign Health Care Priestley Cup winners medal to the championship gong he won with Pudsey Congs in 2010, ensured that Mills didn’t panic.

He followed up his unbeaten 114 in Saturday’s thrilling league win over Saltaire with 32not out as Mills eased to victory. Paceman Stiff (2-19) was the pick of the bowlers but he could not spare his side from defeat.