SHIELD WINNERS

By Glen Sands

Goole Town deservedly lifted the Snaith League Shield when defeating Sykehouse by 10 wickets at Carlton Towers , producing an all round quality performance after finishing runners up last season.
Sykehouse batted first on a dull and overcast evening but just could'nt get going at all as the young Goole side bowled magnificently , restricting them to 53 all out , Ben Lamb taking an impressive 5 for 7 with good backing from Mark Spetch who picked up 3 for 8 and Richard Mann who finished with 2 for 3 , skipper Lee Hayward taking three catches whilst commanding his troups impecably , Chris Marshall top scoring for Sykehouse with 20 runs. Having posted such a low score it was imperative that Sykehouse made early inroads into the Goole batting but sadly for them it never materialised as that man Hayward lead from the front along with Andy Rodgers and they quickly established a hold on the bowling to guide Town to a comfortable victory , Hayward making 25 not out and Rodgers 30.
Hayward picked up the Man of the Match award for his impressive captaincy along with his batting and at the end of the match league chairman Jimmy Smith , who had umpired the match with Drax stalwart Ralph Maud, thanked Carlton Towers for producing an exceptional wicket to host the ancient competition.