Pudsey Congs Latest Cricket News

Thoughts of the Cricket Chairman

Who wants a go at the game day Programme

Parking at Fulneck School Cricket Ground

Cars must NOT be parked on the track leading to the cricket field or on the field itself. Cars must be parked in the car park on the main street approximately 100 yards on the left after the track entrance. Thank you for cooperation.

                                                                            Ralph, Cricket Chairman

Slater hits Maiden ton, June 26, 2010

History was destined to be made on a very warm but cloudy day in Arthington, Yorkshire. At 4.57pm today, 15 year old Ashley Slater made his way to the crease for the Dales Council 1st X1 v Hawksworth. Whilst it was clear from the start of his innings that there was a steely doggedness and determination not seen before, it did not appear that his innings would prove to be anything more than a bit-part cameo and a footnote to yet another Congs league defeat. Such an assumption was all but guaranteed to come to fruition with the score at 45-5 and then 92-7, as batsman after batsman saved their most injudicious shot for the worst possible moment. But with seven wickets down, Robin Kettlewell joined Slater and provided some much needed impetus to the innings, plundering several boundaries in a quick-fire 16 and far more importantly, adding 48 with Slater as the youngster started to hit his straps. So having badgered the captain all week about not batting at No 11, Adam Patrick was allowed to bat one position higher (in fairness to protect a still broken finger). At 140-8 he joined his lifelong best friend at the crease for what many might have felt were the last rites but it was clear they both had a completely different mentality. At hardly any stage did the run rate required climb above seven per over and the pair combined sensible quick singles with an average of at least one boundary per over. When the opening bowlers Sahadeven and Arya were brought back to the fold, Hawksworth clearly felt they could blow away the youngsters and put an end to the irritating uprising. But it did not work out as they planned and as the length of time spent at the crease grew, so did the confidence of the two batsmen, not to mention their eye for the ball. Between overs 38 and 42 the score increased from 145 to 192 with both Slater and Patrick finding a way to carve at least one, if not two boundaries per over. It was clear that something special was happening; win or lose. After a stuttering 43^rd over the equation was 20 from 12 balls with Slater, 85 not out on strike. He managed two runs from the first ball of the penultimate over before being felled by the next that crashed into his thigh. It was time for a break and when two youngsters ran onto the pitch with a much-needed drink, Slater inquired as to his score. What happened next will live long in the memory of all that witnessed it and was completely unexpected of a 15 year being told he was in touching distance of a century. A short ball was served up and Slater pinged it off the middle of the middle of the bat, straight over the adjacent house and into the road for a gigantic six. He hooked the next ball down to square leg for four and was standing at 97, the team requiring eight runs for victory. Slater brought up his hundred and the house down with a trademark pull to square leg and understandably jumped up and down like a man possessed on achieving his first century at such a young age. His innings had been breathtaking in its maturity and dazzling in its strokeplay. At the end of the game the two young pretenders were quite clearly more delighted that their efforts had earned Congs a first league victory than any personal plaudits that might come their way and they (along with their parents) can be immensely proud of their exploits and conduct.

                                                                                                    Courtesy of Dom Allen

A Milestone for our Second Team Captain

Today at Bradford & Bingley, Phil achieved 10,000 runs for Pudsey Congs over the last 18 years for the Second team. This is quite an achievement and one that he can be very proud of.

From everyone at the Congs, CONGRATS PHIL