Samit Patel’s half-century helps seal memorable Sykes Cup triumph in front of around 600 spectators at Huddersfield’s annual showpiece cricket occasion
Rastrick 161 all out (43.3 overs): Shrikant Wagh 41, Aubrey Swanepoel 36, Faisal Javed 20, Wasim Javed 20*.
Hoylandswaine 165-4 (29 overs): Chris Holliday 37, Furqan Shafiq 40, Samit Patel 51, Adam Sylvester 3-32, Adil Ali 3-41, Max Morley 2-31, Samit Patel 1-22.
Hoylandswaine produced a commanding performance at Honley Cricket Club to lift the Huddersfield Premier Cricket League’s historic Sykes Cup sponsored by Pearson Financial Wellbeing, after chasing down Rastrick’s 161 with six wickets and 20 overs to spare.
There was early drama when rain swept across the bone dry ground in the hour before the scheduled start. Thankfully, the rain eased just in time to avoid a delay, which allowed the ground to remain playable and the eagerly anticipated final to go ahead on time.
Having won the toss, Hoylandswaine’s Captain Arron Lilley elected to field and his decision was quickly rewarded as Rastrick came under pressure from almost the first ball. Adam Sylvester’s blistering early overs ripped the heart out of Rastrick’s top order as he took the first three wickets and the batting side found themselves 27 - 3 in less than seven overs.
Rastrick never recovered from their early set-back and struggled to build sustained partnerships, although Shrikant Wagh provided the innings with some much-needed momentum. He struck 41 from just 31 balls, including five fours and two sixes, while Aubrey Swanepoel made a patient 36 from 47 balls. This partnership felt like Rastrick’s best chance of posting a competitive total until in-form South African overseas cricketer Swanepoel was trapped in front by leg spinner Adil Ali.
Wasim Javed remained unbeaten on 20 from 31 balls as Rastrick were eventually bowled out for 161 in 43.3 overs.
Welshman Sylvester went on to finish with an excellent 3-32 from 9 overs, while spinners Adil Ali and Max Morley also played major roles, picking up three and two wickets respectively.
In contrast to Rastrick Hoylandswaine’s reply was built around a solid opening partnership of 77 between Chris Holliday and Furqan Shafiq, with Holliday first out on 37 from 45 balls and Shafiq falling shortly afterwards on 40 from 47.
However Hoylandswaine remained firmly in control with the arrival of Samit Patel at the crease who, with 51 runs off on 41 balls placed victory firmly in Swaine’s hands.
Patel eventually fell with the scores level on 161, but by then the job was virtually complete. His inning, which included 6 fours and 2 sixes, along with bowling 10 economical overs for only 22 runs whilst picking up the key wicket of Wagh, fittingly earned him the Roger France Trophy for Man of the Match.
The result was a six-wicket win in what proved to be an easier victory than the tighter contest the same two teams fought out in the league match played the day before.
The victory brought the curtain down on a memorable occasion for the Huddersfield Premier Cricket League, played in front of a superb crowd despite the early weather scare.
HPCL would also like to place on record their sincere thanks to Honley Cricket Club for hosting the final and for their excellent hospitality throughout the day. The club’s volunteers worked hard to provide a superb occasion, including a traditional tea, barbecue and refreshments for players, officials and spectators. HPCL Chair Trevor Atkinson commented “this is a historic venue and a proper cricket ground”.
Match Umpires; Nigel Brook and Philip Mitton
Above Photos and Header by Steve Parkin - more to follow
