Paul Winrow lit up the evening gloom at Honley last night with the biggest smile in West Yorkshire.
And how the Barkisland skipper deserved to enjoy his moment of triumph, because he had just led his side to a historic Sykes Cup triumph on what was arguably the greatest day in the club's history.

Not only that, but Winrow had smashed a superb century which was the cornerstone of the victory over a game Delph & Dobcross side and which had earned him the man of the match award.

But as he acknowledged the roars from the hordes of Barkisland supporters after lifting the famous old trophy, Winrow insisted it was not so much a personal triumph but a triumph for the club as a whole.

"The feeling is absolutely out of this world," he said. "It has been a win earned by all 11 players and we have batted, fielded and bowled superbly, but we have done it thanks to teamwork.

"It is a great day for everyone at the club and the supporters who gave us such great backing. "We have beaten what are probably the three best cup sides in the competition in Honley, Elland and Delph so we have done it the hard way and I'm very proud of all the players." And Winrow revealed that the return of overseas man Love Ablish just hours before the final had provided an important psychological boost which proved to be a telling factor. The Indian had returned to his homeland a fortnight ago due to a family bereavement and after his efforts to return in time looked to have failed, Winrow had resigned himself to losing the hugely influential all rounder.

But a text message from Ablish to his skipper from the airport late on Saturday confirmed he had made it back in the nick of time.

"It was such a big boost to have Love back and to know that we had a full strength side really geed us up going into the final," said Winrow.

And though Ablish continued his golden season with a miserly spell of 12 overs which cost just 31 runs, it was irrepressible spin ace Matthew Steers who took the honours with the ball to almost match Winrow's efforts with the bat.

Steers plundered six wickets to strangle the life out of the Delph run chase, and after each one his unbridled joy was obvious as he wheeled away to acknowledge the cheers of the travelling fans.

When he shattered Tom Wood's stumps to complete the victory, he was submerged by his colleagues, and the champagne celebrations that would last long into the night could begin. But they would not have been possible without the supreme efforts not only of Steers, but of every one of the side who pulled off that amazing semi final triumph over Elland and then completed the job by seeing off Delph at Honley, and that was no easy task against opponents bristling with quality.

But good as they were, Delph simply could not live with Winrow, who cut, drove and carved his way to a wonderful ton, finding gaps in the field with consummate ease.

Dave Weston provided solid support with 39, and though the lower order fell away somewhat, the final total of 229 was still an imposing one.

Delph were determined in their reply, but Barkisland chipped away at their batting order, leaving opener Bruce Cruise marooned as the run rate gradually rose.

And when Cruise was superbly run out, the last real Delph hopes went with him, and a few minutes later, Steers wrapped it up and the day of joy for the Scammonden Road side was complete.

There were some who suspected Barkisland's name was on the trophy after that win over Elland. Well, it's certainly emblazoned there now

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