A CAPTAIN'S innings from young star Richard Evers helped Winsford Cricket Club's under-15s to clinch the Meller Braggins Knockout Cup by beating Lindow in Friday's final at Knights Grange.

Lindow won the toss and chose to field, and they struck an early blow when Winsford opener Guy Kleu was bowled in only the second over with the score on 15.

It was left to Evers to hold the Winsford innings together, and his 29 - aided by contributions from the other batsmen - helped his side to finish on 96-5 from their 20 overs.

The Lindow innings started badly when Adam Preston took the wicket of Rowlinson in the first over.

Wickets then fell regularly, with excellent bowling by Gary Sergeant (2-7) and James Tierney (2-18). Only Burrows (19 not out) troubled the Winsford bowlers as Lindow finished 16 runs short of their target with nine wickets down.

Richard Evers received the trophy from Meller Braggins League chairman Peter Davies.

Winsford CC chairman Jen Brodie paid tribute to the under-15s, saying: "We are all really proud of what they have achieved. It has given the whole club a lift."

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.