WILLOUGHBY CC’s season came to a disappointing end after they suffered a 29-run home defeat to Mears Ashby in the semi-final of the Northamptonshire Cricket League Division Seven KO Cup.
The hosts edged out the visitors to the runners-up spot in the league but were unable to deny Mears a place in the final of the cup.
Mears posted 197-9 from their allotted overs as Jabran Mehmood (53), Kris Dholakia (39) and Matthew Hobson (25) scored the bulk of the runs whilst Mark Fell (3-26) was the pick of the attack.
In reply, Willoughby stuttered to 84-5 but recovered to need 59 off the last 10 overs for victory.
However, a mid to lower order collapse saw them slump to 168 all out in 36 overs to fall 29 runs short of the required total as Vikas Sangwan (39) top scored in vain.
Willoughby’s 2nd XI progressed to their third KO Cup final in as many years with a 46-run win against Bold Dragoon 2nds in the Division 13 semi-final.
The club once again forfeited home advantage with the first team playing at home as Ryan Perry’s side recovered from a perilous position to emerge victorious.
Willoughby’s top order crumbled as Paul Jennings (5-30) put Dragoon in command to leave Willoughby on 39-5 after 13 overs.
However, Anshul Satsangi (46) and James Andrews (40) combined for a crucial 66-run partnership as Ryan Lines (18 not out) helped Willoughby reach 150 all out.
And Willoughby then claimed the key wickets of Bold openers David Shepherd and Russell Heyworth (both 8) with the pair two of the highest run scorers this season.
Willoughby restricted Bold to 59-6 as Mark Holliday (26) provided the only resistance before Bold’s tail end batters Hugh Smith and Paul Jennings (both 13) and Dean Collins (12 not out) put up a late fight.
However, Willoughby eventually bowled out their opponents for 104 as Lines (3-24), Matthew Sutton (3-38), Nikesh Mistry (1-15) and Fergus Deery (1-23) took the wickets.
Willoughby will now play Division 13 champions Abington Phoenix 2nds in the final this weekend with the game set to begin at midday.
