Flixton grab Hunter Cup success

Hunter Cup victors Flixton. Picture: Simon Dobson

Cloughton won the toss and elected to bat but lost an early wicket with just three runs on the board.

Ben Luntley (19) and Ricky Nock (13) took the score up to 36 but then wickets fell regularly with only John King (16) and Jack Johnson, also with 16, making double figures with their score ending at 114-7 wickets at the end of their allotted 14 eight-ball overs.

The top scorer was actually extras, with 25 which included 18 wides. Flixton's wicket-takers were Harry Warmsley with 2-26 and Mathew Mason's 2-16.

Runners-up Cloughton at North Marine Road. Picture: Simon Dobson

Flixton then took to the cease and opener Stuart Stocks hit two fours in the first over but fell in that first over with the score at nine as he was caught by wicket-keeper John King off the bowling of Gary Jordan.

They then had a fine stand of 49 runs between Antony Stones (15) and Chris Mann, who hit 38 which included two sixes and four fours, before both were out and Flixton faltered from 58-1 to 69-4.

Noman Shabir came into bat and showed no mercy as he struck a brilliant 42 not out, which included two sixes and five fours to take Flixton to a comfortable five-wicket win with 15 balls remaining to put the Hunter Cup in their possession for the next 12 months.

Cloughton's wicket-takers were Paul Goodenough with 2-10 and Gary Jordan with 2-38.

Eddie Barker, committee member of the AndyHire Evening League presented the Hunter Cup to Flixton captain Chris Mann.

The new Bill and Bessie Green Memorial Cup was presented to Cloughton captain Chris Malthouse by Becky Green, granddaughter of the late Bill and Bessie Green.

Bernard Goulding, secretary of the league thanked Scarborough Cricket Club for the use of their excellent facilities for the final and their groundsman John Dodds for preparing the wicket and outfield for the game.

Goulding thanked the umpires Keith Local and Colin Gates, the scorers John Boddy (Flixton) and Matty Harris and Pete Milner (Cloughton) as well as Keiran Rutter, who kept the electronic scoreboard up to date throughout the game.

He thanked AndyHire for their generous league sponsorship and Eddie Barker and Becky Green for presenting the trophies.

He also thanked everyone who bought raffle tickets, and the donors of raffle prizes which helped raise over £200 towards helping local charities and league funds.