HUDDERSFIELD Under 13s threw away a golden chance of reaching the Lord’s Taverners final.

They were poised at 116-3 with nine overs left of their semi-final against Sheffield at Scholes, but they fell away to finish on 145-8 – and only then because Daniel Jones hit a six and four off the last two balls of the innings.

Huddersfield were given a solid start by host-club player Jack Cooper and Adam Rammell with an opening stand of 44.

Cooper went on to complete his half century but once he was out for 59 the innings fizzled out and, although the next three batsmen reached double figures, they could not go on and dominate the bowling, of which four were slow bowlers.

Jones late effort gave them half a chance to go through, especially as Sheffield made a slow start and spinner Ben Earnshaw got early reward thanks to a couple of smart stumpings by keeper Tom Webster.

Half way through their innings, Sheffield had only 42 runs on the board, but once Earnshaw had finished his eight overs the Huddersfield bowling and fielding deteriorated with a number of boundaries being let through.

The Sheffield middle order took advantage, batting positively without taking too many risks and they reached their target in the 35th over for the loss of just three wickets.

Sheffield will face favourites Heavy Woollen in the regional final.

Huddersfield 145-8 (J Cooper 59) Sheffield 147-3 (A Gledhill 44, J Brown 44no, B Earnshaw 2-21).