STILL known as the Top Four competition, although there are now only four teams in the Feversham Cricket League, Slingsby met High Farndale in the first semifinal at Gillamoor.

Despite it being late for evening cricket, the ground was bathed in sunlight long enough for a 14 overs match. Slingsby batted first, and Alex Machen and Dave Watson soon set the tempo, putting on 33 for the first wicket before Watson fell for 13.

Machen, later named man of the match, made 44 and Matt Frazer an undefeated 40 as Slingsby, with seven sixes to their credit, closed on 110 for 4.

James Blacklock took 2 for 33.

Faced with having to score at almost eight an over, High Farndale’s chances soon plummeted as they found themselves 37 for 4 at the half way stage. Shawn Dowson hit a valiant 25, but there was just one six in the innings, and they ended well short on 67 for 8.

Ben Corner, Frazer Land and S Newton took two wickets apiece.

The weather was again kind as Gillamoor met Spout House in the other semi at Slingsby.

Gillamoor compiled 92 for 4 in their14 overs. John Lumley (22) and C Campbell (11), both run out victims, made worthy contributions, while Joe Lush hit 38 not out.

In reply, Spout House’s Barry Wheldon (25) and Dan Medd (16) made inroads, but they ended up 15 runs short at 78 for 5. Man of the match Lush took 2 for 16.

The 24 overs a side final of the Top Four competition will be between Slingsby and Gillamoor at Duncombe Park’s ground on Sunday, September 7, at 11 am.

In what must surely be the most one-sided final in in the Countess of Feversham Cup’s 40-year history, played at Gillamoor, Burythorpe overwhelmed Ampleforth by 151 runs.

Burythorpe amassed a sensational 179 for 3 in 20 overs.

Man of the match Jack Bolam hit 59 not out, Andy Milner 50 not out and Danny Harper 47.

Ampleforth’s innings collapsed dramatically to 3 for 3, and with Matt Beckett’s 5 for 6, supported by Adam Sutcliffe with 2 for 5, they staggered to 28 all out in just 9.4 overs.