Keatley Cup semi-final

Cokenach 113-3

Royston 106-6

Cokenach won by seven runs

COKENACH sealed their place in next Tuesday’s Keatley Cup final with a narrow victory over Royston on Sunday.

Cokenach lost the toss and were put in to bat by Royston, in what was a 16-over match ideal for quick runs. But with Cokenach opener Stevens (10) being bowled by Richard Temple and Seale (5) falling to Finn it wasn’t the ideal start for the batting side.

It was left to the middle order to post a decent total and with Dan Stokes making a fine 26 and partner Jeremy Dyson (19) and John Ford chipping in with a quick 16, Cokenach set Royston a par score of 113 to win the game.

In reply, Cokenach’s James Keel took out Royston’s two opening batsmen with them making just seven runs between them.

Royston were on the back foot but with the hard-hitting Paul Miller punishing the odd loose ball Royston still had their eyes on the prize, but Cokenach’s Cameron Taylor had other ideas. Firstly, taking out M Leary with a fine yorker, and then trapping Richard Temple lbw for a golden duck – leaving him with the chance of a hat-trick as M Miller walked to the crease.

And with another full fast delivery which fired into the batsman’s pads, the umpire had no option but to dismiss the Royston man and award Taylor his first ever hat-trick. He finished on great figures of 3-15 off four overs.

Paul miller (62*) thought he had a chance and continued to find the boundary, but with Matt Stevens bowling M Gillahm Royston were falling behind the rate.

Harper (19*) joined Miller and struck some good shots, but with Royston needing 19 runs off the last over, victory ultimately proved a stretch too far despite Miller hitting a big 6.

Cokenach will face either Reed or Buntingford in Tuesday’s (July 5) final.