The draw for the semifinals of the Halifax junior cricket league under 15 Collinson Cup pitted league winners Lightcliffe versus the runners up Thornton.
As it required net run rate to decide who was to be league champions, an exciting semi was expected.
The teams met just once during the league season (the fixture at Lightcliffe being a victim of the early-season monsoons!) Lightcliffe were hoping for a repeat of their performance at Thornton which was the best of the season.
Fortunately our boys produced a cracking batting performance with the top 3 all retiring not out - Ayaan A on 36, Dylan C on 37 and skipper Isaac M on 35 whilst number 4 Hari Singh was run out for 26 in our total of 163 for 6.
Thornton needed to get off to a great start but Sam S produced an unplayable in swinging Yorker with the first ball of the reply. Luke B, 3 for 19, then removed Thornton’s best batsmen to put The Villagers in control. Thornton rallied but were 35 runs short when their overs ran out.
Despite this being a comfortable victory, Lightcliffe skipper Isaac M was not happy with the bowling performance and reminded his team that better may be required to win the final.
Your correspondent believes that a Thornton v LIghtcliffe final would have made for a fitting conclusion to the HxJCL junior cricket season.
However, the U15s can look forward to their HxJCL Collinson Cup final against a Low Moor side bolstered by the best of Buttershaw St Paul’s CC. The final will he be held at LCC on the afternoon of Bank Holiday Monday 26th August.

On Thursday evening, our under 13s hope to make the U13 final when they host King Cross CC at LCC in their HxJCL under 13 cup semi-final – a place in the final to be held at Southowram CC on bank holiday Sunday awaits the winners.

Team for Thursday vs Kings Cross (Home) Halifax JCL U13 Collinson Cup Semi Final. 5.45pm meet for 6pm start.

Ted S
Caleb W
Charlie M
Alex G
George D
Harry B
Seth T
Will S
Lucas A
Jacob C
Charlie C