And so I came to pass, that 9 days after this Cup Final had been started, the match was completed in regulation fashion, but played in a flat and eerily quiet atmosphere, totally unbecoming the anticipation of a much anticipated occasion.

In short Lightcliffe’s top order failed to deliver. Requiring a high tempo in order reach the challenging 226 target set, they struggled for much of the innings and only in the last quarter was a batting partnership worthy of the final forthcoming.

At halfway only 58 runs had been scored – reflecting the struggle the batsmen seemed to find with a dry pitch of marginally variable bounce. The irony was that the largest contributor to this total was the opposition - 15 deliveries adjudged wides (and possibly more had less lenient application of the law been applied).

In truth whilst Copley’s bowlers made the most of the conditions, they were hardly on top form themselves, thus deepening Lightcliffe’s frustration.

With the final destined for a drab anti-climax Liam Holmes and Sam Kalanovic found some tempo against Copley’s change bowlers.
Sam, injured during the team win two days previous, was allowed a runner and thus with the sprightly limbs of Jake Broadbent to provide the speed and Kalanovic the muscle, the trio made 99 seventh wicket runs, which for a short period brightened the demeanour of the Lightcliffe faithful present whilst looking to sustain the 8 per over run rate.

Holmes edged to the keeper in the penultimate over, 4 short of his fifty. The game had by then gone past any prospect of a close finish, but Kalanovic limped off proud and unbeaten on 58no – an innings winning the Man of the Match award.

Lightcliffe could have no complaints. Copley, fielding the stronger side and dominant across the two days, deservedly collected the Warhurst Cup for the first time.