Close call for Matt Wilson who is dropped at slip by Saeed Anwar ©Nigel Stockley

Last season's runners up Church reached the final for the second year running by beating Accrington by 89 runs at Thorneyholme Road. The visitors piled up 277-5 with an amazing 108 runs coming from the last 10 overs of the innings. Professional Saeed Anwar hit 93 from just 56 balls with seven fours and five sixes. The Pakistani took a liking to the bowling of David Ormerod, who had driven up from a holiday in Cornwall especially for the game. The medium pacer's last 2 overs went for 49 runs. After conceding just 28 runs from his first eight overs, his ninth went for 30 and his tenth went for 19. Levi Wolfenden (35) and Sam Holt opened up with an 80 run stand. Holt made 55 from 98 balls with four fours. Lloyd Aspin (35) added 61 with Holt and then skipper Craig Fergusson (22) put on 96 for the 4th wicket with his professional. Professional Ashar Zaidi took 3-33 for Accrington. The home side quickly lost left handers Graeme Sneddon (1) and Stuart Crabtree (2) to Aspin. Stand-in skipper Matt Wilson promoted himself to the top of the order and made 26 in a 3rd wicket stand of 59 with Zaidi before falling to Andy Bentley (4-28). Aijaz Shah went first ball stumped by Sam Tucker off a wide and Andy Greenwood was run out for 11. Zaidi and Simon Hanson put on 92 with the Pakistani hitting 83 from 92 balls with thirteen boundaries. He finished his innings with a runner and will miss Sunday's match at Ramsbottom. After his dismissal at 183 the last five wickets fell for the addition of just 5 runs when Hanson was last man out for 27 wit the score on 188.