Bradford League 1st Team

Pudsey Congs v Bowling Old Lane

At Britannia Ground

Saturday May 10th, 2008

Match report by Mike Oldfield

The 2XI continued their bank holiday form as they eased to a 8 wicket victory over Bowling Old Lane at the Britannia. Choosing to bat first, the visitors soon found themselves in trouble at 11 for 3 as once again Calum Oliver and Liam Stanhope produced a exellcent opening spell of bowling. They both finished the innings with 2 wickets apiece. Only H.Siddique (46) and H.Younis (39) put up any resistance as Simon Raistrick picked up 3 for 21 and Richard Jubb made a successful bowling debut spinning his way to 2 for 40. The bowlers were backed up by another good performance in the field as stand in skipper Warren Allitt took two good catches and Phil Allinson took a clean slip catch. Bowling Old Lane were bowled out for 187.

The Congs batters made short work of the run chase as firstly Allitt (55) and Jubb (54*) put on 66 for the 2nd wicket as Phil Allinson had fallen for 8. Then it was left to Jubb and Calum Oliver (57*) to score the remaining 91 as they both guided the ball around constantly finding the gaps. They continued the good work started by Allitt who was involved in running a 4 on the hottest cricket day of the year!!. The team now has to take this form into next week as unbeaten East Bierley visit the Britannia.

Bowling Old Lane 187 all out (49 overs ) v * Pudsey Congs 188-2 (45.3 overs )

Bowling Old Lane batting: H Siddique 46; S Afsar 31; H Younis 39
Pudsey Congs bowling: S Raistrick 3-21
Pudsey Congs batting: W Allitt 55; R Jubb 54 no; C Oliver 57 no

Pudsey Congs (18 points) beat Bowling Old Lane (4 points)

Pudsey St Lawrence v Pudsey Congs

At Tofts Road

Monday May 5th, 2008

Match report by Mike Oldfield

The 2XI bounced back after the disappointment of Saturday to record a convincing 113 run defeat of the "top roaders" in the 1st round of the Priestley Shield. Asked to bat first on a wicket that was a little
damp!!!! openers Phil Allinson and Warren Allitt set the pace notching 50 off the 1st ten overs before Warren fell. Phil went on to post 39 and then handed the baton to Calum Oliver and Paul Eachus both just falling short of their half century, both playing some good cricket as Calum found the gaps and Paul found the garden across the road.........twice! Andre Stolarski supported well in the middle order and the score went past 200 as Liam Stanhope and debutant Chris Doey ran some great 3's at the end.
The Congs fielding at the start of the reply was keen and Calum and Liam set the tone as they produced a very tight first 10 overs bowling as a partnership, the pressure told as Calum came up with 3 wickets and finished with 3 for 4 from his spell. Josh Purser and Chris Doey both bowled tidy spells and are continually developing as bowlers at senior level. It was then left to skip Mike Oldfield to benefit from his sides good pressure as he collected 6 wickets backed up by some good catching from Eachus, Doey and Stolarski as the Congs progress to the second round!

Pudsey Congs 223 for 8, Paul Eachus 45, Calum Oliver 40, Phil Allinson 39

Pudsey St Lawrence 118 all out, L Mortimer 61, Mike Oldfield 6 for 20, Calum Oliver 3 for 4

Pudsey Congs won by 105 runs

Esholt v Pudsey Congs

At Esholt Lane

Saturday May 3rd, 2008

Match report by Mike Oldfield

The 2XI started the Bank Holiday weekend poorly with a 80 odd run defeat away to Esholt. The past two visits to Esholt have not been memorable for the boys and this was no different. Bowling first, the Congs took advantage of a slow wicket and bowled well restricting the scoring although Esholt kept wickets in the tent. At drinks the home side were only 60 odd for 1. After that the Esholt batters started to find scoring more easily although scoring boundaries was difficult for both sides with the length of the outfield. Esholt closed on 200 for 7 with Calum Oliver being the pick of the bowlers with 4 wickets.

The run chase didn't get off to a great start and before long Congs were being restricted by good bowling as well as losing wickets. Calum Oliver stuck around for a while trying to work the ball around and once again Paul Eachus showed the good form he is in scoring 41 making the final total of 113 somewhat more respectable. As a team we need to spend more time at the crease and apply ourselves to deal with any further run chase.

Esholt 201-7 (50 overs)

Pudsey Congs 113 all out

Esholt (19pts) bt Pudsey Congs (3pts) by 88 runs

Cleckheaton v Pudsey Congs

The 2XI had an eventful first game of the season as they travelled to last years Division 2 champions Cleckheaton. Winning what turned out to be quite an important toss, the Congs bowled first on a very slow and wet wicket. The wickets fell at regular intervals for Congs, all the bowlers looked dangerous when the ball was pitched up as there was no reward for short bowling. Skipper Mike Oldfield was most economical as he returned figures of 5 for 6 from 9.2 overs. There was also reward for 15 year old Josh Purser who swung the ball throughtout his spell finishing with 3 for 18 from 5 overs. New boys Calum Oliver and Michael Kelsey picked up one wicket apiece. Paul Eachus looked impressive behind the stumps taking a difficult catch and a good leg side stumping. C. Dobson was the main stay for the home side making 34 nearly carrying his bat through the innings.

Congs knew the run chase wouldn't be easy seeing how the wicket had played and soon found themselves in trouble at 12 for 4 through the good work of the Cleckheaton bowlers. But a fifth wicket partnership of 30 between Michael Kelsey (22) and Paul Eachus (24) and a sixth of 37 between Eachus and Andre Stolarski (22) saw the Congs home by 4 wickets to claim the first win of the season. These two partnerships were key and hopefully show the strength in depth that the team has this season which will lead to more success.

Cleckheaton 90 all out v Pudsey Congs 91 for 6

Pudsey Congs bowling: Mike Oldfield 5-6, Josh Purser 3-18
Pudsey Congs batting: M Kelsey 22, P Eachus 24 no, A Stolarski 22