Padiham reach 20/20 finals day

Kurt Robinson’s side beat Whalley by three runs in a thriller at the Arbories, and will now face Euxton in the semi-final at Cherry Tree on Sunday, with the winners facing either Cherry Tree or Clitheroe.

Padiham’s semi-final starts at 10 a.m., with the second semi at 1 p.m., and the final following on at 4-30 p.m.

The presentation will take place afterwards, and the winners will go through to the national final.

Against Whalley, Padiham batted first and made 161-6, as Nathan Whitehead hit 52 from 51 balls, and Michael Letson 51 off just 22 deliveries, including six sixes and a four.

Whalley fell just short in reply.

Mark Fallon hit 67 from 41 balls, Yogesh Takawale 38 from 27 and former Lowerhouse man Declan Bailey 21 off 25, but wickets from Letson, who took 3-47, and Curtis Meehan, who finished with 2-15, proved vital.

Read were unable to join Padiham in the last four, as they were beaten by Clitheroe at Chatburn Road.

Clitheroe won the toss and put Read in, who were bowled out for 103 with four balls remaining of their 20 overs.

Top order batsmen Warren Eastham (15), Joe Marshall (31). Ravi Jangid (15) and Thomas Turner (13) were the only Read men to reach double figures.

Clitheroe knocked off the runs inside 15 overs for the loss of one wickets as Ali Ross hit 44 not out and Janaka Gunaratne 41.

Marshall (1-16) took the only wicket to fall.

On Saturday, in the Senior League, Read’s home game with Cherry Tree, and Padiham’s trip to Ribblesdale Wanderers both fell victim to the wet weather.

This Saturday, Padiham host bottom side Earby at the Arbories, and Read make the short trip to Station Road to face Whalley.