New Farnley's ECB national club title hopes washed away in slippery conditions

NEW Farnley came up just short in a thrilling Rothesay ECB National Club Championship final at John Paul Getty’s picturesque ground at Wormsley in Buckinghamshire.

In a rain-interrupted contest, Shepherds Bush, from the Middlesex League, won the toss and, as is their wont, sent in the Bradford Premier League side, who won the ECB National T20 Cup at the same venue a year ago.

Missed opportunity: Steve Bullen and New Farnley were left frustrated by the weather in their big national final at the weekend.

placeholder image — Missed opportunity: Steve Bullen and New Farnley were left frustrated by the weather in their big national final at the weekend.

With Steve Bullen acting as their anchor, New Farnley scored 162-5 in 36 overs against an attack that gave little away before a two-and-a-half- hour stoppage due to rain.

Bullen was 81 not out from 94 balls, which included seven fours and a six, and put on 46 with fellow opener Aidan Langley (22), 48 with Alex Lilley (24) and 48 unbroken with Adam Ahmed (15no), Alex Blofield taking 3-35.

An early tea was eventually taken and DLS came into play with Shepherds Bush being set 172 in 32 overs and, with further rain falling, more overs were being lost and the target was reduced to 151 from 25 and eventually 106 from 15.

Lilley’s opening over went for 15, but Abhay Negi - the day before he flew back to Pakistan - brought New Farnley back into the game as Langley constantly rotated his bowlers.

Spinners Gurman Randhawa and Adam Ahmed also played their part, but with the light fading, the bowlers’ follow throughs becoming slippery, fielders having to take baby steps to avoid falling over and also not being able to see the ball off the bat, it increasingly gave an advantage to the batting side as drizzle continued to fall.

New Farnley keeper Gabe Field took three catches, including a sensational one-handed diving effort to dismiss Sidney Thomson.

Idris Otto-Mian (34), who opened the batting and bowling, and man-of-the-match Adam Chislett (31no) helped Shepherds Bush over the line at 108-5 with just four ball left with five wickets in hand.

Rawdon have won the Aire-Wharfe League Division One title. They were at Bingley Congs, who were bowled out for 147 after being sent in, Joel Newlove (3-28) heading the five wicket-takers. Rawdon were 123-2 when play was halted, opener Caleb Futter being 74 not out, but they were well ahead on Duckworth Lewis Stern.