HALPIN’S Plumbing produced a penultimate- round McDonald’s Twenty20 Premier League upset last night, toppling the previously undefeated McDonald’s.
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The 22-run win puts Halpin’s in the box seat to meet McDonald’s in the final with just a round remaining.
They are a win clear of The Albert, who kept itself in contention with an 11-run win over Steggles.
The Albert batted first but couldn’t capitalise on its good start and scratched its way to 8-131.
It was enough in the end but below what it was shaping for after a 40-run opening stand between skipper Adam Jones (24) and Nick Leyden (36).
Leyden and Matt Everett then got them to 1-64 after 10.
The wheels started to fall off when Jamie Hammond picked up Leyden for 36 in his first over.
Everett followed for 23 15 runs later in identical fashion – caught behind by Matt Hughes off Hammond – and from there they just lost wickets consistently.
Hammond was a late arrival and was the last bowler used but the most effective, finishing with 4-21.
Julian McGovern (2-24) was the only other multiple wicket-taker, with Jack McVey and Deklan Baker taking one apiece.
Steggles were on the backfoot early, losing Jake Hawkins in the first over, and after five overs were only 2-18.
Stand-in skipper Ben Middlebrook dragged them back into it with a top-scoring 57 but with just two overs to go he nicked one behind.
In the end, Steggles were held to 8-120.
The slow bowlers were good for The Albert, with Stu Plant (2-12), Josh Crowe (1-18) and Richie O’Halloran (1-22) all among the wickets.
Next door, Halpin’s recovered from a poor start to reach 9-154.
Greg Kellett had them in an early spin, opening the bowling and taking 3-28.
Skipper Tim Kensell and Nick Pearson led the recovery.
They upped the scoring and, from 4-45, took Halpins to 4-101 after 13.
Pearson batted almost the entire innings. He was run out the last ball for 64.
Kensell made 37, while Mick Moffitt chipped in with 24.
McDonald’s run chase never really got going in what was a rare occurrence this season.
They’ve been dominating with the bat.
Cal Rowe was their top-scorer with 25. Kellett (21) was the next best while skipper James Psarakis made 19 and Richard Bullock a quick-fire 17 at the end to get them to 9-132.
The Halpin’s bowlers shared the wickets around, with Norvill making up for his duck with 3-28.