SKELMANTHORPE star James Crossland didn’t have to buy a pint after his heroics against Scholes and was just glad to have survived the pitch invasion!

The 26-year-old who bowls left arm but bats right, hit four sixes in the final over of their Romida Sykes Cup semi-final to take them into the showpiece on Sunday, August 8.

It was a stunning effort from the Yorkshire Water IT professional, who was batting for only the sixth time this season and previously had a top score of only 12 not out.

His unbeaten 34 took his side past the Scholes total of 275-6 and Crossland admits the whole scenario is taking time to sink in.

“Winning the Sykes Cup in 2007 was amazing, but this is the best single thing I’ve ever done in cricket – the best moment so far,” he said.

“When it came to the last over, I was just trying to focus on where Andy Alsop might bowl it and I’ve never concentrated so hard in my life on a cricket field.

“I was trying to block out all the shouts and just keep my mind on what I was trying to do – which was to second guess ‘Sloppy’ (Alsop).

“All I remember when the first ball went for six was that the cheering got louder, and then he got the second delivery right under my feel and I couldn’t make contact.

“Tiny (batting partner Josh Clarkson) kept having a word after each ball, but I was really just trying to keep my head clear.

“When the third and fourth balls went for six I could just hear all the noise getting louder and then the fourth one was just a massive release of all the tension and excitement.”

Crossland threw his bat in the air and was quickly engulfed by teammates and fans alike.

“I have to admit it was horrible with everyone jumping all over me and I was desperately just trying to prop myself upright,” he said. “I thought ‘I don’t want to win the game like that and then get killed under a pile of people celebrating!’

“At least I didn’t have to buy a pint after the game and it was a great feeling, especially with it getting us through to the final.”

Crossland has one win and one defeat in finals and he’s hoping to add another winners’ medal against either Delph or Elland at Honley.

“I’m still finding it hard to take in what happened in the last over,” he added.

“I just kept swinging and making contract and, fortunately, the ball kept going further and further!”