Tod in great heart for T20 final

Tod, who play Church in their quest for some first silverware since they won the Worsley Cup in 2000, have climbed to sixth after their latest success.

They totalled a modest 159 for nine after openers Simon Newbitt (26) and Ben Pearson (22) had put on 46 for the first wicket.

Freddie Priestley top scored with 41 and Matt Collins (22), Ben Sutcliffe (18) and professional Ashton Turner (14) all chipped in.

Visiting pro Shaun von Berg bowled 17 overs for 27 runs to help keep the home side in check.

Tod’s total proved good enough thanks to Matt Collins (4-25) and Graham Lalor (3-37), who dismissed Rishton for 115.

The visitors were well placed at 86 for two but the running out of Von Berg for 59 triggered a collapse.

Todmorden’s T20 opponents Church won by eight wickets at Rawtenstall and are 10th in the table.

Meanwhile, it has been revealed that Turner has been called home for pre-season training by Western Australia and his last game of the season for Tod will be at Ramsbottom on Saturday August 20.

Todmorden will use replacement professionals for the last four games and have already lined up Pakistani internationals Humayun Farhat, Hammad Azam, South African Brett Pelser and Qaiser Abbass, who had three successful seasons at Centre Vale up to 2012.