THREE teams fought to reach the Drury Engineering Grimsby Sevens tournament's grand final Sunday for the first time in their history.

Benbow's Smashers were the last minute replacement for Emplex – and were up against some sterling opponents in East Halton and Brigg Town.

The first game of the evening found the villagers of East Halton playing Brigg Town.

The weather was perfect as Brigg openers Nathan Bell and Dave Killgallon strode out to the Stamford Homes wicket.

Bell was soon off the mark but, after scoring seven off three balls, he was well run out by Adrian Jack.

Tom Brock (11) found his stumps knocked back by Neal Arundel.

The veteran Killgallon was eventually trapped leg before by Jack, but not before 37 valuable runs were on the board.

The final total reached a respectable 80 for four.

Tom Brock then bowled East Halton's Jack with the first ball.

James Mikkonen (11) reached double figures before he became another run out victim.

The game was up for grabs when Killgallon came on to bowl.

He took the wicket of Arundel (30), and then trapped Harris Charalambons for a duck.

This was the turning point and, although Backhouse and Roberts both reached double figures, Halton fell eight runs short.

In the second game, Glynn Benbow led from the front as his team batted first.

Wickets fell regularly as the East Halton bowlers found more control. Captain Benbow, with an undefeated 52, boosted the final score up to 79 for four.

Things were evenly balanced until Tom Boryszczuk's over yielded two wickets for only five runs.

James Mikkonen was there at the finish but his 32 runs could only help the final total reach 57 for four.

In the deciding match, Brigg Town opened with Bell and Killgallon, but runs were hard to come by.

Bell became the sixth run out victim of the night for 14.

Oliver Killgallon joined the veteran and, try as they did, the overs ran out with only 58 for one on Barry Brown's scoreboard.

Benbow and John Blockley again opened the Smashers' innings and never really looked in trouble.

The score was reached without loss with both batsmen on 29. Benbow's Smashers go through to the grand finals.