Kingfishers swoop to beat the Heat in last ball thriller

A final ball cliffhanger saw Prestwich Heat lose in the final of the GMCL T20 Cup by 4 runs.

The enthralling contest had the big crowd at The Heys gripped to the end as Heat attempted to overhaul the Clifton Kingfishers’ total of 144-5.

Prestwich Heat’s Tom Gibson made a superb unbeaten 57 but was unable to hit the required boundary off Gareth Cross’s final delivery, giving Clifton victory.

Cross bowled an excellent last over when Heat required 10 to win, taking two wickets. He had earlier cracked 69, backed up by 22 from Steven Cheetham, with Nathan Bailey taking 2 wickets.

Heat struggled to fire at the start, slumping to 20 for 4, in the face of the accuracy of Adam Patel.

Pro Shivam Chauhan and Gibson staged a brilliant recovery in an 86-run partnership until Patel struck again, taking his fifth wicket – that of Chauhan for 53 – in a remarkable spell which conceded just 13 runs.

Tom Gibson’s 57 not out nearly saw Heat over the finishing line against Clifton.

It left 31 runs from 3 overs, but Gibson inspired 21 runs from the next two overs, to leave it all hinging on the final six balls.

Prestwich had secured their place in the final having earlier bowled out Glossop for just 27. Ryan Stanbury and Andy Bradley both finished with the outstanding figures of 4 for 4 and Danny Pawson 2 for 8.

Andy Bradley (left) and Ryan Stanbury both finished with figures of 4-4 against Glossop Lions.

Heat had scored 123 for 7, thanks mainly to a half century from skipper James Wharmby.

Clifton Kingfishers had progressed in the other semi final by six wickets, surpassing Moorside’s total of 109 with nine balls to spare. Luke Perry hit 65 and Patel took 3 for 10.