Posted: September 1, 2011

Phil Slater and sponsor Ian Morrell with the Dyson Insulations Twenty/20 Cup

It was third time lucky for Bradford & Bingley as they lifted the Dyson Insulations Twenty/20 Cup by defeating Cleckheaton in an absorbing final.

After defeats in the previous two finals against Pudsey St Lawrence they weer anxious to break the sequence, but they needed a captain's innings to do it.

Slater came in with his side in real trouble at 59-6 in reply to Cleckheaton;s 136-8, and transformed his side's fortunes with an unbeaten 52.

The turning point of the match proved to be the 15th over when Slater hiit three sixes, a four and a single as he took 23 off young Sean Howe's only over.

That assault gave the innings the impetus it needed as fine bowling from John Wood (2-12) and spinner Andrew Deegan (2-15) tied up the top order.

Slater was joined in an unbroken eighth wicket stand of 42 by Warren Allitt who made 17 not out.

Slater sealed victory and completed his 50 when he hit the fourth ball of the final over from Marcus Walmsley for four.

Defeat was hard on Cleckheaton because they bowled and fielded aggressively with Ian Wood taking a memorable one-handed catch to dismiss Scott Etherington.

Cleckheaton, who were put in to bat, lost John Wood early but they still managed to score briskly.

A big score looked in prospect until James Lee and Tim Jackson fell in quick succession for 25 and 26 respectively.

Afte rthey departed the innings lost momentum and wickets fell at regukar intervals.

Etherington (2-20) and Chris Thompson (2-22) were most impressive and it looked as if a Cleckheaton total of 136-8 would pose few problems for Bradford & Bingley but it did and the crowd were treated to another nail-biting finish.