Rob Laycock hits two hundreds in a day as Booth retain T20 trophy

On 18 July, the Halifax Cricket League’s Vocation Brewery T20 Finals Day produced a showstopper.

How many cricketers in Yorkshire (or across the world for that matter) have hit two hundreds in a single day? Rob Laycock of Booth Cricket Club did just that as his club retained their T20 title.

For those that appreciate stats… in two matches, Booth scored a record 459 runs in 40 overs and Laycock was responsible for 205 of them, without losing his wicket.

First Semi-Final

Booth 239-4 (Rob Laycock ret 102no, Midgley 53, Hoyle 37no)
Thornton 197-6 (J Hutchinson 44, Parr 34, Shackleton 33).

Second Semi-Final
SBCI 137 (Scholefield 35, Mindham 3-28)
Blackley 140-8 (Houldin 56no)

Final

Booth 225-2 (Rob Laycock ret 103no, Ric Laycock 80)
Blackley 180-8 (Britton 60, Mindham 46, Midwood 32)

The first semi-final saw Booth bat first after winning the toss. I’m told it was mayhem as Laycock set about the Thornton bowling, giving no respite until his enforced retirement, having reached his century at 102 not out.

The busiest ‘fielders’ of the innings were Jamie Clayton, Jack Milnes and Oliver Shield, three young cricketers stationed in the football ground behind the sightscreen, as their search abilities were required on a dozen occasions!

Jon Midgley (53) and Matthew Hoyle (37 not out) chipped in to see a mammoth 239-4 posted.

In reply, Thornton had a decent go but ended on 197-6, with the dismissal of Josh Hutchinson for 44 recognised as a key moment in the match.

The second semi-final saw Blackley win a tense encounter by chasing down Sowerby Bridge Church Institute’s 137. It was far from plain sailing though as they slumped to 89-8 before a blistering knock stole the show.

Over 31 balls, Daniel Houlden’s knock of 56 not out got Blackley into the final with clean hitting and five sixes.

The T20 Final saw a destructive exhibition as the Laycock brothers flayed the ball to all parts. Rob’s second century took just 50 balls while Rick’s 80 in 47 balls was no less rapid.

Booth’s 225-5 was quite something. Who’d be a bowler, eh?

When you need to score at 11.15 runs per over, there’s no hanging about. Kitchen sink from ball one. Blackley’s very competitive 180-8 would have won many games as skipper Matthew Britton led the way with 60.

But, it was to be Booth Cricket Club’s captain Rick Laycock who lifted the trophy to cap a memorable day of cricket.

Afterwards, there was a moment to smile about in the raffle when some After Eights, won by host club Mytholmroyd’s assistant groundsman, were revealed.

Imagine his surprise to find not chocolate coated mints but the League Treasurer’s set of pencils, rubbers, tiny calculator and ruler!

Congratulations to Rob for his batting feat; Booth Cricket Club who defended their T20 title and those clubs involved on the day.

Thanks to Paul Whiteley for his report with adaptations by John Fuller here at Cricket Yorkshire HQ.