HORWICH captain Brett Pelser has been praised by opposite number Cameron Murray after conceding their Hamer Cup semi-final at Kearsley on Sunday with the hosts needing just six runs on what was deemed a dangerous pitch at Springfield Road.

Umpires John Hutchinson and Malcolm Venn halted the game with Kearsley 143-6 in the 38th over chasing a target of 149. Australian Murray was at the crease unbeaten on 17.

Given the slim chance of Horwich turning it around, Pelser opted to concede, setting up a final between Kearsley and Farnworth on August 26 at a venue to be confirmed.

Horwich, who elected to bat, were bowled out for 148 thanks to four wickets for seamer Mohammed Jameel and three for professional Imran Khalid.

In reply, Khalid hit 50 as Kearsley survived the loss of regular wickets to advance towards their target.

“Brett (Pelser) made a good decision, and I thank him and their guys for what they’ve done,” said Murray.

“Considering the position of the game, we would have done the same.

“The wicket had been the same for both sides. If you bowled in the right areas, it popped a little. But no one had been hurt.

“We’d played so long on it, we shouldn’t really have come off.”

Nevertheless, Murray was delighted to qualify for the final, Kearsley’s first since 2011. They will face a Farnworth side who hammered Bradshaw by 213 runs at Bridgeman Park.

“To get into the final is a great feeling,” said Murray. “We were six down chasing 150. We would have liked it to have been done by fewer wickets, but we got there in the end.

“We beat Farnworth away in the league, but it’s going to be a tough fight. They’re a good side, and all our lads have to stand up.”

That league game in early June saw new-ball quick bowler Jameel take 8-31 as Kearsley, defending 138, bowled Farnworth out for 60.

Farnworth skipper Simon Booth said: “We’re going to have to put something right that went wrong because they absolutely murdered us on our own patch. That hurt us.”

Farnworth breezed into their first final since 2013, when they beat Horwich, as Bradshaw crumbled to 80 all out chasing 294.

Pro Noman Ali (66) and Leighton Friend (58) hit half-centuries, while a series of other useful contributions got the hosts up to 293-9 from their 50 overs.

In Bradshaw’s reply, Ross Sutton claimed 4-21 from eight overs of off-spin.

“We just scored too many runs, and it was probably the best performance we’ve put in this year,” said Booth. “Everything went well.

“Ross’s bowling was exceptional.

“He got 80-odd against Horwich on Saturday and was awesome. He’s such a good young cricketer and one of our own, a Farnworth kid.

“When we’ve put performances in this year, it’s been a collective. The pro has been solid all year, but others have done it around him.

“We’ve just hit a bit of form at the right time of the year.

“Another win or two in the league and we’re there and thereabouts for Lancs Knockout qualification as well. I’m quietly happy with how it’s going.”