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19th July 2011

Durham Academy set for finals day this Sunday

The NEPL sides have played in two groups of six teams for the past five weeks to decide the four semi finalists in the competition, sponsored for the second successive year by Co-operative Funeralcare.

League leaders Chester-le-Street and Durham Academy qualified from Group A, while defending T20 holders South Northumberland and hosts Benwell Hill made it from Group B.

The action gets underway at 11am with the first semi final between South Northumberland and Durham Academy. Benwell Hill play off against Chester le Street at 2pm, before the Final at 5.30pm.

Admission to the event is by programme, and costs £2 for adults and £1 for children. 

On reaching Finals Day, Academy Coach John Windows, said “We’ve tried to take the t20 comp more seriously this year, with the relevance of t20 in today’s cricket the young lads are just as likely to get offered their debut early season in a Clydesdale Bank 40  or Friends Life t20 fixture as they are in a Championship game.

“It’s really important that they are equipped with the skills and understanding of this format to be able to apply them if they do get a chance so we have tried to emphasise t20 more and practice more, which has paid dividends as our tactics and application of skills has been much better.

“We’ve played well to get through the group stages, beating Sunderland, Stockton and Gateshead Fell to get to Finals Day and I think the competition on the day will be of a really good standard. Finals Day will be a really good experience for the lads, to have a match with high importance which has that big game feeling.”
 
As well as the action on the field, supporters will be entertained by music, the famous Benwell Barby will be fired up and there will be a beer tent in the corner of the ground.

Supporters are advised that there will be no parking at the ground for spectators. Anyone parking in the Crematorium carpark opposite the ground must leave by 4.45.

Public transport to Denton Bank from Newcastle stops right outside the ground, buses 10/11 from the Newcastle Odeon, 39/40 from Old Eldon Square or the X82 from Eldon Square Bus Station. Buses run every 20-30 minutes on the Sunday timetable.

The winners of the NEPL/Co-operative Funeralcare T20 will qualify for the ECB National Club T20, with the chance to play in the Final live on Sky Sports.