Skipper Jamie Colman was “very proud” to claim a nerve-jangling victory over Honley and give Barkisland a first ever success in the Paddock Shield final.

The 37-year-old one-club man admitted it could have gone either way in the Fired Up Corporation showpiece at Woodfield, with Honley needing eight to win in the last over of the Drakes League’s second XI knockout.

But just like their first team in the arrowselfdrive Sykes Cup final a week earlier, Barkisland kept their cool and Callum Thompson delivered the ideal final over to ensure Alan Cawtheray and Eddie Kaye couldn’t get Honley over the line.

Barkisland put up 226-9 thanks largely to 76 from man-of-the-match Nick Miller, and Honley finished on 225-9 – getting two off the last delivery when they needed four.

“It was dramatic stuff, there’s no doubt about that!” said a delighted Colman, who is now bidding to keep his side top of the Drakes Premiership Two as well.

“Under the circumstances, it was a brilliant last over from Callum.

“He started with two dot balls, then Honley got a four, so they only needed another boundary for the win.

“While I had very little doubt at the start of the over that we would win, you always wonder about a little edge or a big hit winning it when they only need a boundary, but Callum responded again with a couple of dots and then we kept them to two off the last ball when they needed three to tie.

“It was just elation at the end, with people running on the field and people in tears. It was fantastic.”

Barkisland recovered from 97-5 in 25 overs to post a challenging total thanks largely to a solid partnership between Miller and Charlie Cocking.

“They got us back in it, because we had looked like we were dead and buried,” admitted Colman.

“We’d had a bit of a middle-order collapse, but Nick was instrumental in getting us past 200. He bats with his head, never throws his wicket away and he just batted nicely with the tail, putting the bad balls away.

“Charlie also did really well and when Nick was out there were still quite a few overs left. We were hoping to get up to 250 but it didn’t quite work out like that, but we had a decent score.”

Honley’s reply was anchored by 56 from skipper Simon England at the top of the order, but they lost wickets steadily too and it was left to former successful first-team captain Robert ‘Archie’ Moore to get them near the finishing line with an excellent 63.

Nick Miller of Barkisland receives his man of the match trophy following their Fired Up Paddock Shield final victory over Honley. Presentation made by rep of Fired Up Corporation

“Simon played a great innings because facing Callum first up was no easy matter,” explained Colman.

“My heart was in my mouth when Martin Green started to get going, hitting me for a four, a six and a four off successive balls, but I managed to trap him lbw in the same over when it looked like he was in the mood to take the game away from us.

“Archie batted really well, too, and got out trying to clear the ropes when they were closing in, so we ended up going to a cracking last over.”

Cawtheray finished on 15 not out and all seven of Barkisland’s bowlers had a wicket, with Sam Senior – who also hit a valuable 25 – claiming two.

Former Old Almondburians stalwart Tim Taylor was the best of the Honley attack with four for 41 from his full allocation of 10.

“I was very, very proud of the lads and of the club,” said Colman.

“It was a very emotional win for everyone and, literally, the celebrations went on all night.

“These last couple of weeks have been very special for the club and everyone who puts their time in and supports us, and I’ve now just got to try and get everyone focused on the league again.

“We’ve got a big game coming up against Hoylandswaine on Saturday which I’m missing, but if we can take six points it will be another good step towards the title.”