BAR COAST IN REGIONAL T20 FINAL

Bar eased into the Regional T20 Final with a 7-wicket win over Middlesex side Osterley in front of a large crowd at The Walk.

Osterley won the toss and opted to bat first and despite blocking a maiden in the first over the day, the noisy support were soon cheering as both openers cleared the ropes in the first three overs.

James Scott got the first wicket as Steve Gale took an easy catch at long on and 23 for 1 was soon 33 for 2 as Rupinder was caught by James Scott off Thilan Walallawita for 15. 8 balls later a quick bit of work by Callum Baylis saw Prasanga run out for 3 and when Basra was caught at square cover by James Ilott off Pat Scott for 8, the visitors were 4 down for 51.

Some positive batting between Ramindar saw stands of 40 and 29 with Khurana and Ahmedazai was the visitors 120 for 5 but they lost their way dreadfully, losing 5 wickets for 11 in 18 balls and saw them dismissed for 131 with 4 balls left of their 20 overs. For Bar, Kamran Younas starred with the ball with 3 for 17, James Scott 2 for 21 and there was a wicket a piece for Pat Scott, Luke Chapman and Thilan Walallawita.

So Bar needed 132 to win but straggled early on to some lively stuff from Bahrami and Raminder. Steve Gale was adjudged leg before for 8 and when skipper James Scott was bowled for 15 saw Bar 31 for 2 and having a little wobble. However Kamran Younas and Patrick Scott batted beautifully. They put the bad ball to the boundary, ran well and the target came down with effortless ease and in good time.

The pair put on 72 in 53 balls before Kamran Younas was caught and bowled by Bahrami for a 37-ball 51 and both Pat Scott (43*) and Zawar Hussain (11*) took Bar through to the final with 15 balls to spare.