Tony Sillars certainly celebrated his 50th birthday in style when he played a

major role in Aldbrough St John reaching the final of the Eggleston Cup.

Tony, 50 on Monday, captured seven Great Smeaton wickets for 36 runs in 10 overs when his side won the semi-final tie by eight wickets at Feethams on Tuesday night.

And Tony played through the pain barrier to help his side to success, taking his last three wickets after dislocating a finger while fielding.

His heroics restricted Great Smeaton to 70-9 from 20 overs before Aldbrough St John went on to book their place in the final after batting only 15.1 overs.

Chris Wilson, who opened the innings, was still there when the winning run was scored with 33 not out, having hit four boundaries. The only bright spot on a disappointing night for Great Smeaton was the form of Paul Hutchinson, who in 7.1 overs returned figures of 2-28.

The second semi-final between Heighington and Middleton St George is at Feethams on Monday and the final is scheduled to take place on the same ground next Wednesday.

Aldbrough St John will be hoping that Sillars maintains his recent outstanding form in the final. A fortnight ago he claimed seven wickets for nine runs in the NatWest Darlington and District League, Division A, match against Raby Castle and last Saturday he took 4-17 in the game with Gilling West.

l Pictures from the semi-final on pages two and three.

lGreg Halliday became the first Lanchester player to score a century in the Cameron Shield (Under-15) when he reached three figures in Tuesday's match against Greenside.

The 13-year-old hit one six and 12 boundaries in his 103 and is hoping that his performance will catch the eye of Durham County's Under-13 selectors.

l The Under-17 county match between Durham and Yorkshire continues today at Feethams (11am).