CAWTHORNE skipper Chris Walmsley praised the battling quality of his young side as they lifted the new Romida Twenty20 Shield.

Launching a first-ever finals day at Scholes, they defeated Lascelles Hall by 24 runs after setting a target of 142-5 in which Walmsley top scored with 44 (including four fours and two sixes).

Walmsley then had two for 27 off his four overs to claim the man-of-the-match award as the Hall were held at 118-8 after being handily placed at 79-2 at the halfway stage – Josh Holling taking two for 14 off four and keeper William Mott coming up with two stumpings and a catch.

The Shield is for teams in the Frank Platt Championship and Cedar Court Conference, and Conference leaders Cawthorne think it’s great.

“It’s been a lot more competitive to have our own competition for the clubs in the lower division. We’ve really enjoyed ourselves and it’s been a great experience – especially having both finals on the one day at the same venue,” said Walmsley.

“We have got a great set of lads who work hard, practice properly and then go out to do their best.

“There have been some really good individual performances from the lads through the rounds and they’ve shown their fighting quality again in the final, doing well to restrict Lascelles Hall in the way we did.”

Ben Simpson had 23 and Lewis Skelly 21 to add to Walmsley’s effort as Timmy Taylor was the best of the Lascelles Hall bowlers with three for 33 off four.

Oliver Moorhouse did well with two for 21 off his four while Corey Bullock and Tom Walker had a wicket each.

Richard Hall and Taylor gave the Hall a promising start with 24 off 21 balls (three fours and a six) and 18 respectively, while non-EU player Aaron Lilley kept them in touch with 22 off 21 balls including two sixes.

At halfway the Hall looked set to challenge, but Paul Tasker (1-29) and Jake Rodgers (1-16 off four) chipped in with accurate spells and Cawthorne were soon well on top to take the winners’ prize of £150. The Hall took £100. Umpires were Ray Bissett and Richard Pearce.