Moorlands Cricket Club have won the prestigious Sykes Cup for the second year in a row. They defeated Hoylandswaine once again to pick up the trophy. Skipper Andrew Fortis believes the Mirfield-based club wanted it more on the day and hopes this success can translate into better league form.
The club went into the final with hopes of success but knowing they were huge underdogs against the multiple league champions. Unlike last year’s final which was tight, this year’s showpiece event was dominated by Moorlands.
On the win Fortis said: “It was a great day for the club, it was a quiet start but then we came into it. They had a partnership going and looked like they were going to get a big score. We had some outstanding bits of glove work by our wicketkeeper. That changed the game.
“When we finished bowling we knew we could beat them as we only needed to get one really good partnership going and that’s what happened.
“We just wanted it more or it felt like we did. Last year it was really tense all day, where this year we were just really relaxed and I think that’s because we had that experience last year.
“We knew what we were doing and how we needed to play and it all just came together. Last year you could tell both teams just wanted it. There were lots of rivalries and I think that’s because we pushed them all the way in the league. Whereas this year I think because we haven’t been up there it was more relaxed this time around.
“I don’t want to say it was easy but it was! You can tell we just wanted it more. It’s not what you expect from a Hoylandswaine team. Credit to our lads. We turned up and did our jobs. It means something to play for Moorlands and that’s why I think it meant more to us to win it.”
Fortis hopes this victory will now be a springboard into the last few remaining league matches where they are still battling to survive in the Premiership.
He said: “Hopefully this will be a springboard for the rest of the season. We need to get some more wins on the board to make sure we aren’t in danger of going down.
“The hard thing now is that everyone wants to beat Moorlands. We are the Sykes Cup winners and so that makes us a bit of a scalp. The team has to realise that every other club will be raising their game against us now.
“If we did get relegated we would deserve it, you don’t finish in the bottom two or three unless you deserve it. We have put a good cup run together but we haven’t been good enough in the league. So hopefully the cup win does act as a springboard and we don’t get relegated.”
Moorlands could make it a cup double on Sunday as the second team takes on Delph & Dobcross in the Paddock Shield and Fortis said: “It’d be great if our second team can bring the cup home this weekend.
“It’s a huge achievement as the team is made up of Moorlands former juniors and to me this proves to every club you can be successful if you nurture your own talent.
“Delph has done a very similar thing with their second team and that’s credit to them. We know the game will be tough as they are a good side but I’m confident our lads will be successful.”
