HALL Park Templars have dedicated their incredible Grey Fox Over-50s Trophy victory last Sunday to the family of the late Howard Reeve, who should have been playing in the final at North Marine Road.

With their last pair at the wicket and the scores tied on 178 in the 30 overs-per-side contest against the redoubtable Bradford Bhuddays, injured Templars batsman Alan Whincup faced Babar Butt's final delivery.

Templars' vice-captain Bob Hodson said: "Alan, who had earlier wrenched his calf, came back in for the last ball having earlier retired.

"He took an almighty swing, and if he had connected properly it would have ended up in the sea, but the ball hit the bottom of his bat and trickled to short mid-on.

"Everyone in the ground thought that Bhuddays had won it as Alan set off down the wicket using his bat as a walking stick.

"There was no problem with our non-striker making his ground, but the fielder's throw missed the stumps and Babar also missed it and there was no-one backing up.

"Alan, who should have been run out by about 20 yards, made his ground and the place was in uproar as we had won by one wicket, making up for last year's semi-final defeat, where we lost by three runs."

Hodson dismissed the Bhudday's chef batting threat Ali for three, and Hall Park's change bowlers also restricted them to about six runs an over, Butt batting well to finish on 38 not out.

Neil Cowgill (17) and Neil Waite (30no) put on 68 for Templars' first wicket but they then suffered a mini collapse until Chris Hester (29) and Whincup (31no) brought them back into contention.

This was a notable victory for Hall Park, whose first team are candidates for promotion from Aire Wharfe League Division Three, club manager Andy Atack giving the club enthusiasm and drive in his first season in the post.

Horsforth Hall Park: Peter Kempton (captain), Rob Hodson, Neil Waite, Neil Cowgill, Ted Lester, Mark Abbott, Denis Rock, Mark Scaife, Chris Hester, Alan Whincup, Jonny Ross. 12th man: Paul Stephenson.