Barnes' salute to Heyside attack

JUST THE JOB . . . Heyside captain Ryan Barnes receives the Tanner Cup from PCL president John Holder

HEYSIDE skipper Ryan Barnes applauded the performance of his bowling attack following a stunning Tanner Cup final victory over Norden.

Despite being labelled as outsiders before the start of play against a side gunning for the Pennine Cricket League Premiership title, the Little Hey Street gang proved superior in every department.

After scoring 220 for nine from their 50 overs, it needed a disciplined effort with the ball to prevent Norden from building a solid base in response.

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Heyside got it as firstly professional Bilal Khiljee and Scott Bloor, followed by Danny Cashin and Declan Wilkinson kept the batsmen in check.

Khiljee's 10 overs went for only 21 runs - he also removed openers Josh Tolley and Rehan Udwadia - while Bloor's took two for 28 from his 10 as visitors Norden slumped to 52 for five. They were eventually dismissed for 150.

Barnes said: "It always nice to get runs on the board, which puts scoreboard pressure on the opposition, and then get early wickets. Their middle doesn't bat regularly, so it was good to get them out early and see what they were made of.

"Pressure got them out and I couldn't have been more delighted at how we bowled.

"Ideally, 30 or 40 runs more was where we should have been. A score of 260 was in range after the start we got (99 without loss from 25 overs), but we were happy enough with 220. We would have taken that before the start."

Wilkinson was named man-of-the-match, but was unable to receive the shield from league president John Holder as he was in hospital being treated for a dislocated shoulder.

The all-rounder fell awkwardly after catching Steve Pimm off his own bowling. It was one of three wickets for the left hander to go with his earlier knock of 63. He is set to undergo an operation on Monday.

The half-century was a well-timed return to form for the ex-Milnrow player, having failed to score a run in his previous three innings.

Barnes said: "He got 100 against Crompton earlier on the season, then he's had some failures, but for him to bounce back the way he did was superb. He was excellent."

The Tanner Cup has been good to Heyside as this was the eighth they had won it.

Barnes said: "We seem to like this competition - it seems to bring out the best in us.

"It is a cup we've grown up with. We love playing in it and it's superb to win it again."

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