Pudsey Congs V Pudsey St Lawrence

At Britannia Ground

Sunday May 11th, 2008

Match Ball Sponsor - Neil Dibb

 

Mohammad Naved took three early wickets for Congs

More misery was heaped on Pudsey St Lawrence as they suffered an eight-wicket defeat against holders Pudsey Congs - their fourth successive defeat of the campaign. Once again St Lawrence failed to make enough runs. Nottinghamshire all-rounder Gareth Clough (46) and skipper James Smith (35) briefly threatened to take command after Congs' new overseas player Mohammad Naved had reduced the Saints to 18-3, but once they departed the rest of the brittle batting line up crumbled predictably. Naved was the pick of the bowlers with three for 42.

St Lawrence gained an early bonus in the Congs innings when Smith trapped Scott Cunningham lbw for five, but it proved to be just a temporary setback for the home side. Opener Alexis Twigg and Andrew Bourke fashioned out a second-wicket stand of 91 before Bourke was caught at slip by Iain Priestley in Alex Stead's first over for 38. Twigg was growing in confidence and took charge as he and Andrew Bairstow (36no) saw Congs home without further loss for an eight wicket win. They put on 78 with Twigg finishing unbeaten on 97 - a superb innings which secured an away tie against Yeadon in round two.

Pudsey Congs 186-2 (Alexis Twigg 97no, Andrew Bourke 38) (45 overs) 

Pudsey St Lawrence 182 all out (James Smith 35, Gareth Clough 45, Mohammad Naved ) (49.1 overs)

Pudsey Congs beat Pudsey St Lawrence by 8wkts

 

Pudsey Congs appeal for lbw against Pudsey St Lawrence opener Alex Stead

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Bowling Old Lane v Pudsey Congs

Pudsey Congs V Esholt

At Britannia Ground

Saturday May 3rd, 2008

Match Ball Sponsor - Nova Coin Automatic

Newly promoted Esholt produced the biggest shock of new season when they defeated Pudsey Congs by seven wickets to record their first ever JCT 600 Bradford League Division One win. The result crowned a remarkable change of fortunes for Esholt. On the opening day of the season they were dismissed for just 55 as they suffered a crushing 141-run defeat at Hanging Heaton. But they responded in the best possible way as they inflicted a second successive home defeat on a Pudsey Congs side which has been tipped to be title contenders this season. Esholt played with great determination and discipline. Their bowlers made the most of a damp pitch to restrict Pudsey Congs to a score of 155-8. It was a bigger total than seemed likely when Congs slipped to 81-6. Babar Butt (49) and Andrew Bairstow (34) were the main contributors while left arm spinner Ben Platt (3-43) was the pick of the Esholt bowlers. The Cummins brothers gave Esholt a solid start to their reply with a stand of 49. Former Idle player Paul made 40 and his younger brother Mark (23). Their good work was built on by overseas player Shahzaib Khan (37) and Gulsheraz Ahmed (30) as Esholt eased home with nine balls to spare.