FURNESS aim to make history tomorrow when they host the finals of the inaugural Cumbria NatWest Under-19s Twenty20 competition.

The Oxford Street side will face tough opposition in the form of Egremont, Keswick and Wigton on an action-packed day.

Furness, led by Ryan Griffiths (right), topped the South group against Netherfield, Kendal and a Westmorland League Select, to make finals day, with Egremont and Keswick coming through the West group and Wigton the best in the North over Carlisle, Penrith and Lanercost.

The hosts take on Egremont in the second semi-final (1pm start), after Keswick and Wigton have battled it out in the opener (10am start).

The winners of the two matches will meet in the final, which is due to start at 4pm.

Cumbria Cricket Board’s Paul Hindmarch said: “It’s the first time we’ve run the under-19s T20 competition in the county. It will be a full day of Twenty20 cricket.

“We’ve had 12 teams and the teams played those in their group both home and away.

“It’s about giving them a pathway. Once they stop playing junior cricket, a lot of these players would stop playing. The idea is to get them together with their mates on Friday nights and keep them playing.

“A lot of people, once they have played under-15s, the next step is adult cricket and that can be a bit daunting.

“They organise it themselves – they have barbecues and that sort of thing, they play in coloured shirts and they can have a drink and a meet up afterwards. It’s ideal for that age group.”

He added: “The feedback has been really positive. Furness have told me they’ve had a few players who have never played before and now they can’t get away. That’s what it’s all about – getting that little spark.”

As well as the action on the field tomorrow, there will be a DJ, a barbecue and a speed gun for people to test themselves – with prizes for the fastest bowlers in different age groups.

Cumbria Natwest Under-19s Twenty20 Finals Day (at Furness CC): Semi-finals: Keswick v Wigton (T Atkinson and T Griffiths, 10am); Furness v Egremont (T Atkinson and D Savage, 1pm). Final: Starts at 4pm (C Barrass and T Griffiths).