Ferndown Wayfarers are through to the ECB national indoor sixes championships at Lord’s for the second year running after pulling off an astonishing victory over Cheltenham in the West region final.
They appeared to have little prospect of progressing beyond the Taunton play-offs when Cheltenham bundled them out for a paltry 61.
But Ferndown, who play four tiers lower outdoors in the summer, produced a stunning response by shooting the West of England Premier League side out for 28 to win by 33 runs.
Now another trip to Lord’s on Sunday April 6 awaits for the Bournemouth side, who lost to Broadstairs in last winter’s ECB final.
Ferndown brushed aside Hambledon - knocking off their opponents 105-4 to win by three wickets with Alex Samson (29) and Freddie Pittway (26) to the fore - to reach the West sixes final.
Jacob Harris (30) and George Marshall (25) top scored for the Dons.
Cheltenham routed Neath-based Welsh champions Ynysygerwn in their semi-final and, after rolling Wayfarers over for 61, were confident of going to Lord’s themselves.
Opener James Raftery made 21 before Ferndown collapsed from 40-1, three batsmen being run out before Miles Lewis smashed a back-wall six and a four off consecutive balls before he too was run out. Wayfarers had lost five wickets for 21 runs.
But Lewis' contribution didn’t finish there as he and Freddie Pittaway (2-9) ripped through the Cheltenham order in just five overs ! Eight extras was the top score, while Lewis finished with 2-9.
Ferndown must await to see who they will play in the Lord’s semi-final as two quarter-final ties have yet to be played.
Wayfarers face the camera after clinching another trip to Lord’s.
Standing (from left): Miles Lewis, Daryl Baines, James Raftery. Kneeling: Alex Sansom, Eric Linge, Freddie Pittaway.
They appeared to have little prospect of progressing beyond the Taunton play-offs when Cheltenham bundled them out for a paltry 61.
But Ferndown, who play four tiers lower outdoors in the summer, produced a stunning response by shooting the West of England Premier League side out for 28 to win by 33 runs.
Now another trip to Lord’s on Sunday April 6 awaits for the Bournemouth side, who lost to Broadstairs in last winter’s ECB final.
Ferndown brushed aside Hambledon - knocking off their opponents 105-4 to win by three wickets with Alex Samson (29) and Freddie Pittway (26) to the fore - to reach the West sixes final.
Jacob Harris (30) and George Marshall (25) top scored for the Dons.
Cheltenham routed Neath-based Welsh champions Ynysygerwn in their semi-final and, after rolling Wayfarers over for 61, were confident of going to Lord’s themselves.
Opener James Raftery made 21 before Ferndown collapsed from 40-1, three batsmen being run out before Miles Lewis smashed a back-wall six and a four off consecutive balls before he too was run out. Wayfarers had lost five wickets for 21 runs.
But Lewis' contribution didn’t finish there as he and Freddie Pittaway (2-9) ripped through the Cheltenham order in just five overs ! Eight extras was the top score, while Lewis finished with 2-9.
Ferndown must await to see who they will play in the Lord’s semi-final as two quarter-final ties have yet to be played.
Wayfarers face the camera after clinching another trip to Lord’s.
Standing (from left): Miles Lewis, Daryl Baines, James Raftery. Kneeling: Alex Sansom, Eric Linge, Freddie Pittaway.
