BIRSTALL’S dream of progressing to the Heavy Woollen Cup final was shattered by some persistent Barnsley batting.

In a roller coaster of a game Birstall were inserted and lost quick wickets. On a bright day that belied the biting wind Birstall clawed their way back into the game and made a real fight of it for an appreciative crowd.

Defeat is a rarity at Leeds Road this season with Birstall flying high in the league and it was good to see the side were far from awed by a Yorkshire League side, with several current and ex county players in their ranks.

However, there was a bumpy ride at first as Rob McFarlane had made six when he edged a catch to Jason Booth at first slip off Greig Batty for four.

Birstall’s dangerman Vikram Rathour went the same way to the same pairing without scoring.

Batty’s third victim was opener Connor Williams, trapped lbw for 12, though there was much muttering at the umpire’s decision.

Paul Marlow hit one boundary through a gap in the fielding cordon but all too soon he was tied down and frustration got the better of him, a wayward shot was pulled from the air by Barnsley captain and wicketkeeper Graham Wilson off the bowling of Batty for nine.

In fact Birstall had plenty to curse Wilson fas he rarely let anything past him which also led to two smart stumpings later in the innings.

Birstall needed to get things back on track and the foundations were laid by the sheer doggedness of Matt Butler who stood his ground and made some good shot selections.

When he was joined by Paul Blakeley the pair looked far more solid and Birstall’s spirits began to rise again along with the score. Butler hit a couple of boundaries in his innings of 25 and shared a partnership of 71 with Blakeley before he skied a catch which was taken by Mark Lawson off the bowling of Simon Widdup.

Barnsley took the initiative with the wicket of Rob Ellis for three, however there was a feeling that while Blakeley was at the crease Birstall had a chance, especially after he had hoisted a straight six over the bowler’s head.

He kept the scorers busy until he misjudged a delivery from Carrington and wicketkeeper Wilson swiftly removed the bails. Blakeley had contributed a vital 38. Birstall were far from out altogether though and Mick Kaye took up the baton hitting a six and a boundary in his unbeaten 22 which helped the home side to a very respectable 160.

Batty did most damage for Barnsley with 4-27.

The total gave Birstall something to defend and when Blakeley opened with a couple of maidens Birstall made a good start especially when Steven Nuttall edged a catch to wicketkeeper Butler, off the bowling of the fiery Danny Busfield for five. He was on the mark again taking a terrific caught and bowled to get rid of Batty who had made seven.