Shildon Railway Cricket Club will play in the Ken Welsh Cup final from 6.30pm tonight (Wednesday 22 June) after the side won a thrilling semi-final at local rivals Bishop Auckland last midweek.
Shildon will now host Whitby at Hackworth Park in tonight’s final of the quick-fire 20/20 tournament and will hope that home advantage will prove favourable as they look to win their first trophy in seven years.
On a beautiful evening last Wednesday, Shildon won the toss at Kingsway and invited the home side to bat.
Australian skipper, Jacob Dinger, was dropped early in his innings, and this was to prove costly as his score of 65 was the main contribution in the Bishops’ daunting total of 167 for 7 in their 20 overs.
Loyd Horner was the pick of the Shildon bowlers, taking 4 for 33 in his four overs.
The Railwaymen, again understrength and missing five regular players, made a good start, as Ellis Horner (26) and Greg Upton (24) took the score to 57.
Matthew Brown then chipped in with a solid 20 runs and Shildon looked on target for a win.
A very tight run out decision saw Upton given out, with the score on 94, and with only six more runs added, two more wickets fell.
Suddenly the advantage had swung and Bishops were now well in control and sensing victory.
But up stepped Adam Bayles for the Railwaymen to play an inspired innings of 33 not out, taking the score to 153 before skipper Tom Wickins was out for 18.
Fifteen runs were needed from the last two overs and Shildon romped to victory with three balls to spare in a thrilling finish.
The home side used eight bowlers and will deeply regret having bowled 37 wides.
The bar opens for tonight’s Ken Welsh Cup final from 5.30pm with the cricket getting underway at 6.30pm.
“Come along, enjoy the weather, and cheer on the lads,” said a spokesperson for the club, “and let’s hope we can report a cup final victory in next week’s issue of the Crier.”
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
