IN A repeat of last year's final, holders Burley retained the T20 TB Cup as previously unbeaten Ilkley came up agonisingly short against their experienced opponents.
The hero for Burley was Ed Brown, who came to the wicket with his side in trouble at 31-4 after six overs. He cracked an impressive 73 from 41 balls, hitting nine fours and three sixes. Chris Thompson joined him, making an excellent 51 from 26 balls to take Burley to a decent score of 175.
Will Spivey (4-11), Luke Bott (2-24) and Rob Spivey (3-29) all bowled superbly for Ilkley.
In the group stages Ilkley had chased a similar target at Burley with ease. The star from that match, Danny Bott, was out for just 12 but Jonno Hughes tore into the Burley bowlers, making a quality 52 from just 31 balls.
His wicket slowed the Ilkley charge but good knocks from Alex Bailey and Rob Spivey, with 34 and 27 respectively, kept Ilkley up with the rate.
Man of the match Brown took four key wickets for Burley but, going into the last over, it was anyone's game.
Burley's Jason Wright kept his nerve with the ball to secure a five-run win to ensure his side retained the trophy for another year.
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