EVERY cup final has its hero – and when the chips were down at a packed Arbories yesterday, Ribblesdale Wanderers had just the man to take them to glory.

Chasing an improbable 237, Ribb were on the back foot with Read big favourites to win the title until their brilliant professional Mohammed Wajihuddin took on the bowling – and how.

It was a blockbuster of a knock that cheered the fans and started a celebration that will last for days.

Needing nine an over the Pakistani, a close friend of former Colne pro Anwar Ali who was last year’s Worsley Cup hero, kept up the rate before winning an enthralling final with a gigantic six in the last over to also bring up his ton.

It was great stuff after Wanderers had been behind for much of the tie – and their champagne fuelled party started even before the players had left the pitch.

That good was Wajihuddin’s knock that the man of the match award, normally strictly reserved for the amateurs, was given to him. That means much.

Brannon Varley also played his part with a blistering 37 before falling to quite magnificent catch in the deep by Andrew Rushton as Wanderers overcame the early loss of Charlie Jackson.

Alastair Marsh batted well for 27 but they were struggling until Wajihuddin turned on his magic.

And with Read suddenly nervous in the field, he rode his luck as Will Driver twice put down terrifically difficult chances to send Wajihuddin back – and he went on to win the final in style.

Earlier it was an easy decision for Warren Eastham when he won the toss and he instantly opted to bat on a perfect-looking Arbories track and while Ribb bowled tightly in the opening exchanges, Read looked pretty much at ease.

Jon Harvey survived a vociferous appeal for a caught behind off Brannon Varley when on three but was looking good until he flicked Ian Britcliffe to Martin Briggs at mid-wicket.

And the day was to get better for Wanderers as professional Mohammed Wajihuddin struck with his fourth ball to have Will Driver caught behind for five.

That was 31-2 and a wobble for Read but they recovered well through Stuart Hornby and Kyle O’Connor.

Hornby was stoic in his approach and batted well for reach his 50, while O’Connor was a bundle of energy and initiative as he kept the scoreboard ticking over.

They took the score to 129 before Hornby was adjudged leg before to John Braithwaite for 58 and when O’Connor chopped Braithwaite on for a quite brilliant 57 it was 138-4.

Mohammed Jamal provided fireworks on his way to 33 in no time before he ran himself out and looked aghast when Andrew Laycock didn’t sacrifice himself.

At that stage Read were 177-5 and drifting off the earlier pace.

In fact, they were 218-9 going into the final over bowled by Wanderers skipper In Britcliffe. But Conor Lowes smashed it for 18 to leave his side on a much healthier 236-9.

Britcliffe, who opened up with five maidens, claimed 3-38 from his 10, while Wajihuddin also claimed three wickets.

But it was with the bat that Wajihuddin wrote his name into the history books.

Read


J Harvey ct Briggs b Britcliffe 5
Hornby LBW Braithwaite 58
W Driver ct Clarkson b Wajihuddin 5
K O'Connor b Braithwaite 57
A Laycock st Clarkson b Wajihuddin 15
M Jamal run out 33
A Rushton st Clarkson b Britcliffe 15
J Marshall ct Britcliffe b Wajihuddin 0
W Eastham ct Howard b Britcliffe 10
E Lowes Not Out 7
C Lowes Not Out 24
Extras 16
Total (9 wickets) 236.

B Varley 10 1 51 0, I Britcliffe 10 6 38 3, D Howard 10 0 47 0, Wajihuddin 10 2 30 3, J Braithwaite 10 1 65 2.

Ribblesdale Wanderers


A Marsh LBW Eastham 27
C Jackson LBW Harvey 5
Wajihuddin Not Out 102
D Howard ct Driver b Harvey 14
B Varley ct Rushton b Hornby 37
M Briggs ct Jamal b E Lowes 13
S Kerr ct and b E Lowes 7
J Braithwaite Not Out 13
Extras 20
Total (6 wickets) 238.

E Lowes 10 0 43 2, Hornby 9.4 3 42 1, W Eastham 10 4 24 1, J Harvey 10 2 37 2, A Rushton 5 0 35 0, W Driver 5 0 39 0.

Ribblesdale Wanderers won by 4 wickets.