Hallfield became the 40th club to secure the Bradford Mutual Sunday School League's Sir James Roberts Cup on Sunday when they held their nerve to defeat Heaton in a thrilling final at Cross Roads-Daisy Hill’s Shay Lane ground.

Having been asked to bat on a ‘greenish’ strip, Hallfield suffered early losses before a fourth- wicket partnership between Nasir Aslam (38) and Qaiser Hameed (33) steadied the innings, but they then suffered two further setbacks to leave them on 85-5 at the mid-innings drinks break.

Despite further big-hitting from Aslam and a battling 26 from Mohammed Rizwan, the Heaton bowlers kept up the pressure to close out the innings for 144.

The pick of the Heaton bowlers were Arif Hussain (3-29) and Basit Ellahi (3-31).

Following tea, the Heaton reply was in immediate trouble at 13-2 as they found themselves in the grip of some tight bowling before the innings steadied to reach the drinks interval at a remarkably similar 88-4.

The Heaton innings was being dominated by an uncharacteristically cautious Kamran Mir, who, despite earlier being bowled off a no-ball, was controlling the progress as wickets fell around him.

Unfortunately, he was unable to see his side home and departed for a very patient 44 to leave his team at 122-7.

The match was very much in the balance, and at 136-8 could have gone either way with the crowd not sure of the outcome.

But the Hallfield side secured the final two wickets without addition to the score to leave them victorious by eight runs.

Bowling honours for Hallfield were shared between Mohammed Rizwan (4-52), Nasir Aslam (3-22) and A Khan (2-12).

The trophies were presented by league president Alan Broadbent, and the man of the match award went to Mohammed Rizwan of Hallfield for his fine all-round performance.

A special after-match presentation was made to match official Yusuf Seedat by Umpires’ Association vice-chairman Paul Newbould to mark his 25th season as an umpire in the league.