2007 First XI
Black Sheep Yorkshire Champions – Final
Pudsey Congs v Woodlands
At Bennett Lane, Hanging Heaton
Sunday September 16th, 2007
Woodlands finished their season by retaining the Black Sheep Champions Trophy by defeating Pudsey Congs by six-wickets at Hanging Heaton.The match was a fine advert for the JCT 600 Bradford League and was contested in a great spirit as the league champions finally got the better of the determined Sovereign Health Care Priestley Cup winners.
The victory will rank as one of the best in Woodlands’ history as it was achieved without two of their key bowlers Safraz Ahmed and Chris Brice. It was to their credit that their back up bowlers were able to cover their loss in a highly creditable fashion. Veteran Murphy Walwyn (8-0-38-1), 15-year-old Tom Smallwood (5-0-30-0) and Sam Frankland (8-1-28-0) delivered 21 overs for 96 runs despite the fact that they have done little bowling in first team combat this season. Frankland’s bowling was particularly impressive and helped keep the Congs’ scoring rate in check at a time when Man of the Match Andrew Bourke was seeking to take control. Bourke arrived at the wicket after Alexis Twigg was caught by Frankland attempting to force the pace against Pieter Swanepoel with the score on 11. The former Castleford batsman settled in quickly and added 42 runs for the second wicket with Scott Cunningham before his partner was caught by Scott Richardson off the bowling of Walwyn just one ball after the bowler had spilled a return catch. Bourke had a lucky let off when, after making 24, he also offered a sharp caught and bowled chance to Walwyn who was unable to take the catch as it glanced off the helmet of the non-striker Andrew Bairstow. The third-wicket pair moved the score on to 107 before Bairstow, who was looking in good form, was run out by a direct hit from Frankland when he backed up too far in the expectation that Bourke would seek to take a quick single. He had made 22. The key partnership for Congs was the fourth-wicket alliance between Bourke and Matthew Doidge . Together they added 113 before Doidge was brilliantly caught and bowled by Tosh Baker who had to run 10 yards to his left and dive to accept the chance. Doidge had made 44 at the time.
Bourke was in sight of his century when he suffered a back injury which required him to call from a runner, and moments later Woodlands suffered a blow when wicketkeeper Nicky Rushworth dislocated the little finger on his left hand and had to be replaced behind the stumps by Adam Goldthorpe. Bourke went on to complete his first century for Pudsey Congs with three sixes and six fours before he was bowled by Baker for 102. Pieter Swanepoel, who conceded nine wides when he returned top the attack for the 40th over, dismissed Babar Butt and Glenn Roberts as Congs chased quick runs in the closing stages of their innings. Their total of 245-7 looked a testing target. Swanepoel finished with three for 41 and Baker (2-52) as Woodlands were made to dig deep to restrict Congs to a score of under 250. With the rain clouds gathering as Woodlands started their reply their batsmen knew they had to make a good start. Unfortunately they didn’t get it. Scott Richardson was again guilty of playing a carefree stroke and was caught by Elliott Wilson off Tom Glover’s bowling for two. With Rushworth injured it was crucial that the second-wicket pair of Frankland and Baker stood firm. They added 68 together before Frankland played a careless shot and was caught on the cover boundary by Scott Cunningham in Nathan Bromby’s final over for 32. When Baker departed five runs later for 38 – caught by wicketkeeper Bairstow from Wilson’s bowling – Woodlands looked to be up against it. Skipper Tim Orrell and Adam Goldthorpe knew there was a big responsibility hanging on their shoulders. Together they had moved the score on to 140-3 after 31 overs when rain forced play to be halted for 15 minutes. When play resumed Orrell and Goldthorpe seized the initiative as the Congs bowlers struggled to come to terms with bowling with a wet ball. Goldthorpe, full of confidence after his century against Bradford & Bingley 24 hours earlier, mixed some full blooded attacking strokes with some fortunate edges as he increased the tempo. Goldthorpe and Orrell added 140 before the former was trapped lbw by Wilson for 73 – an innings which contained three sixes and six fours. Orrell and Walwyn then guided their side home with 2.1 overs to spare. Orrell, who batted in commanding fashion, finished unbeaten on 71. He hit a six and six fours. Walwyn, who has a great sense of theatre, stroked the winning boundary to spark the Woodlands’ celebrations. Elliott Wilson (2-42) was the best of the Congs’ bowlers, but the afternoon belonged to the JCT 600 Bradford League champions who collected their second trophy of the season.
Pudsey Congs v Farsley
At the Britannia Ground
Saturday September 15th, 2007
Pudsey Congs made sure of runners-up spot for the third successive year when they sent Farsley plunging into Division Two. Congs scored a daunting 313-7 against a tame Farsley bowling attack. Andrew Bourke (84), Scott Cunningham (70) and Andrew Bairstow (53) led the run feast. Farsley’s most successful bowler was their wicketkeeper David Syers. He took off his pads and gloves to bowl off spin late in the innings and picked up three for 20. His efforts enabled Farsley to collect three bowling points and it meant – as news had already come through that Brighouse had been bowled out for just 36 by Bowling Old Lane and lost by nine wickets – that they needed to score 225 runs to stay up. Unfortunately for Farsley followers they never looked like reaching their goal of maximum batting points. Their top order, with the exception of defiant Shabbir Rashid (59no), surrendered tamely and they were eventually dismissed for 154. Glenn Roberts (3-13) and Tom Glover (3-32) were the pick of the bowlers on a day Farsley will want to forget.
Pudsey Congs 313-7 (50 overs ) v Farsley 154 all out (36.4 overs )
Pudsey Congs batting: S Cunningham 70; A Bourke 84; A Bairstow 53;
Farsley bowling: D Syers 3-20
Farsley batting: S Rashid 59 no
Pudsey Congs bowling: T Glover 3-32; G Roberts 3-13
Pudsey Congs (20 points) beat Farsley (5 points) by 159 runs
Pudsey Congs v Bradford & Bingley
At the Britannia Ground
Saturday September 8th, 2007
Pudsey Congs leap-frogged over East Bierley into second place with a 45-run win over Bradford & Bingley at the Britannia Ground. Matthew Doidge (75) lead by example, Andrew Bairstow (58) continued his hot streak and Captain Babar Butt (30) guided Congs to a total of 230-8.
Bradford & Bingley were dismissed for 185 in reply with Mark Beckett top scoring with 50. Tom Glover took three for 56 and Elliott Wilson (3-59). Congs are now two points in front of East Bierley in the battle for second place.
Pudsey Congs 230-8 (50 overs) v Bradford & Bingley 185 all out (41.4 overs)
Pudsey Congs batting: A Bairstow 5; M Doidge 7; B Butt 30
Bradford & Bingley bowling: R McCarthy 3-41
Bradford & Bingley batting: D Clow 35; M Beckett 50
Pudsey Congs bowling: T Glover 3-56; E Wilson 3-59
Pudsey Congs ( 20 points) beat Bradford & Bingley (7 points) by 45 runs
Bowling Old Lane v Pudsey Congs
At Birch Lane
Sunday September 2nd, 2007
Pudsey Congs 138-8 (26 overs ) v * Bowling Old Lane 14-1 (3.2 overs )
Pudsey Congs batting: A Bairstow 39
Bowling Old Lane bowling: B Ejaz 3-31
Match abandoned: Bowling Old Lane (6 points) Pudsey Congs (3 points)
Manningham Mills v Pudsey Congs
At Scotchman Road
Saturday September 1st, 2007
Pudsey Congs kept alive their hopes of finishing second after picking up a maximum 20 points from their 58-run win over Manningham Mills. The highlight of their triumph was a splendid innings of 108 not out from the in-form Andrew Bairstow. He hit seven sixes and eight fours as he helped Congs to a total of 237 all out. Mills were dismissed for 169 with Amjid Hussain (35) and Mohammad Maroof (30) their top scorers. Left-arm spinner Glenn Roberts took four for 28 and paceman Tom Glover (3-32).
Pudsey Congs 227-9 (50 overs) v Manningham Mills 169 all out (47.5 overs)
Pudsey Congs batting: A Bairstow 108 no
Manningham Mills bowling: G Hussain 3-58
Manningham Mills batting: A Hussain 35; M Maroof 30
Pudsey Congs bowling: G Roberts 4-28
Pudsey Congs (20 points) beat Manningham Mills (6 points) by 58 runs
Sovereign Health Care Priestley Cup Final
Pudsey Congs v Cleckheaton
At the Britannia Ground
Sunday August 26th, 2007
Pudsey Congs lifted the Sovereign Health Care Priestley Cup for the fifth time in 13 years after defeating Cleckheaton by 87 runs at the Britannia Ground today. It was a totally professional performance by the Congs who seized the initiative from the moment when skipper Babar Butt won the toss and elected to bat, and never let go. The Congs batsmen all played their part in building a challenging score of 259-4 and then paceman Tom Glover took over with some devastating fast bowling which earned him figures of five for 28 from nine overs as Cleckheaton were dismissed for 172. Glover was deservedly chosen as Man of the Match for his outstanding performance on a pitch which seemed perfect for batting. Congs knew they had to dominate the young Cleckheaton side from the start and they did just that. Scott Cunningham was quickly into his stride and notched up all of the first 21 runs. By contrast his opening partner Alexis Twigg, confronted by some extremely accurate bowling from left armer Craig Wiseman, took 21 balls to get off the mark, but the the shot which got him under way was worth waiting for – a sumptuous straight drive off Ian Wardlaw for four. The openers compiled a stand of 55 before Cleckheaton skipper John Wood struck. He had Cunningham well caught in the gulley by Ian Nicholson for 30. Twigg was joined by former Castleford batsman Andrew Bourke and together they added 75 for the second wicket in a partnership full of eye-catching strokes. Twigg reached his 50 off 74 balls with his ninth four, but after striking one more boundary he was trapped lbw by off spinner Mohammad Zaman for a stylish 60. When Bourke also perished to an lbw decision against leg spinner Tom Pringle for 37, Congs were 150-3 and there was just a glimmer of hope for Cleckheaton. Left-handers Andrew Bairstow and Matthew Doidge ensured it was the very briefest of glimmers as they added 61 at a run a ball. Doidge made 30 before he offered a smart return catch to Pringle, but Bairstow went on to make an unbeaten 61. He struck a six and seven fours as Congs reached 259-4 with a a late flurry of runs. Pringle was the most successful bowler with two for 51, but the most impressive was undoubtedly the economical Wiseman whose 10 over spell cost just 27 runs. Cleckheaton knew they had to start well if they were to have any chance of winning the cup for the first time. Opener Michael Nicholson had made a century against Bradford & Bingley 24 hours earlier, but he last just four balls before being bowled by the fired-up Glover. The paceman looked sharper and faster than in many of his recent outings and he was soon celebrating a second major scalp when he had Ian Nicholson trapped lbw with the total on 14. It was a wretched start which got a whole lot worse when opener Rhys Jowett, who scratched around for six runs, was undone by Glover’s pace and was bowled. Overseas batsman Mohammad Zaman seemed eager to attack to take advantage of the fielding restrictions in the first 15 overs of the innings,but his anxiety led to him trying playing with the air of a desperate man. Craig Thornton became Glover’s fourth victim when he was bowled by an absolute beauty and Cleckheaton’s innings was in disarray when Zaman carelessly lofted a catch to Doidge from the bowling of Nathan Bromby just seconds after Butt had brought up his fine leg fielder and stationed Doidge at long off. At 59-5 there was a real danger of the final becoming a rout, but the Wood brothers had other ideas. While Ian played watchfully, skipper John struck out. He hit two huge sixes off successive balls from Bromby, but just when it looked as if he might be turning the game around, he gifted his wicket away. Wood tried to charge left arm spinner Glenn Roberts but missed with an ugly heave at the ball and was stumped by wicketkeeper Bairstow who initially fumbled the ball, but had time to recover because Wood didn’t try to regain his ground. Tom Pringle (26) and Ian Wood (28) fashioned out a seventh wicket stand of 50 before Pringle lofted a ball from Roberts to long on where substitute Ben Birkhill, who had only just come on to the field, took the catch. Young Marcus Walmsley was left facing an impossible task and he had only scored one when he edged a ball from Elliott Wilson to wicketkeeper Bairstow. The end was in sight when Ian Wood’s innings finally ended when his drive was well caught by Mark Bray to give Glover his fifth wicket. Congs’ victory was sealed when Ian Wardlaw was bowled by Wilson for seven. Cleckheaton had been dismissed for 172 and knew they had come off second best on the day to a fired-up Congs team. Glover was the pick of the bowlers but those wily old campaigners Bray 0-31 in ten overs and Roberts (2-24) in ten created the pressure which had a big impact. Cleckheaton’s youngsters will go away to lick their wounds and no doubt they will learn from the craft and know how of their rivals who made every bit of their experience count. Congs are not the force they used to be, but this was an impressive performance and they showed what it takes to win a big match.
Pudsey Congs v East Bierley
At the Britannia Ground
Saturday August 25th, 2007
East Bierley actually shaved two points off Woodlands’ lead – it is now a mere 50 points – as they took 17 points from a comfortable four-wicket triumph over third-placed Pudsey Congs. Skipper Gavin Hamilton, the former Yorkshire and England all-rounder, played the lead role by making an unbeaten 64 to steer his side past the Congs’ score of 176-9 with 6.5 overs to spare. Hamilton built on the platform set by openers Lee Goddard (31) and Gharib Razak (26) set in a partnership of 53. Mark Bray (2-26) was the pick of a lack-lustre Congs bowling attack. Andrew Bourke (41), Babar Butt (35) and Andrew Bairstow (33) were the main scorers for Congs in an innings which never gathered the necessary impetus. Jaffer Nazir (3-28) was the pick of the Bierley bowlers. Bierley are now 30 points ahead of Congs and look strong favourites to finish the season as runners up. The result wasn’t the perfect preparation for Sundays Sovereign Health Care Priestley Cup final against Cleckheaton who got into the mood for the big game with an impressive 80-run win over Bradford & Bingley.
Pudsey Congs 176-9 (50 overs) v East Bierley 180-6 (43.1 overs)
Pudsey Congs batting: A Bourke 41; A Bairstow 33; B Butt 35
East Bierley bowling: J Nazir 3-28
East Bierley batting: L Goddard 31; G Hamilton 64 no
East Bierley (17 points) beat Pudsey Congs (6 points) by 4 wkts
Priestley Cup Semi Final
Baildon v Pudsey Congs
At Jenny Lane
Sunday August 12th, 2007
Pudsey Congs had their wily former skipper Matthew Doidge to thank for their narrow win at Baildon. Doidge, as he has done so often over the years, rescued his side from a periless position and took them to one of strength with a 41-ball half-century. When he was eventually dismissed for 52 he had hit one six and six fours.
Congs had made a disastrous start to their innings. They plunged to 10-3 before Andrew Bairstow (36) and skipper Babar Butt (32) steadied the ship. Doidge built on their work with his fine half-century and Tom Glover blasted a rapid 39 not out to swell the total to 214-8.
Baildon, who were without regular opener Simon Davies, made a poor start and were soon 21-2, but skipper Ian Philliskirk was unmoved. He batted superbly and dominated his sides’s reply. He made a stunning 110 from 124 balls with five sixes and 11 fours. Such was his dominance that only 38 runs had been scored at the other end when he departed at 148-6.
Scott Bent (18) and Mushtaq Ahmed (18) tried to force the pace in the closing over but Congs held their nerve. Baildon were dismissed for 197 with Nathan Bromby, Glenn Roberts and Scott Cunningham, all finishing with two wickets.
The Congs will now face Cleckheaton in the Final at the Britannia ground on August 26th.
Pudsey Congs 214-8 (50 overs) v Baildon 197 (45.2 overs)
Pudsey Congs batting: M Doidge 52,T Glover 39no, A Bairstow 36, B Butt 32
Baildon bowling: S Burkal 2-34, I Philliskirk 2-54
Baildon batting: I Philliskirk 110
Pudsey Congs bowling: G Roberts 2-17, N Bromby 2-25, S Cunningham 2-33
Pudsey Congs beat Baildon by 17 runs
Pudsey Congs v Pudsey St Lawrence
At the Britannia Ground
Saturday August 11th, 2007
James Smith produced one of the best innings of the season to guide Pudsey St Lawrence to an emphatic six-wicket win in the Pudsey derby at the Britannia Ground. Smith made an unbeaten 132 from 120 balls with three sixes and 19 fours as St Lawrence recovered from 31-3 to overhaul a Pudsey Congs score of 215-5. It was Smith’s second successive century – he made 124 against Farsley last week – and it was an innings of the highest quality. The power of his strokeplay was breathtaking, but he would be the first to acknowledge the contribution of 15-year-old Kasir Maroof who played with great maturity for his 47 in a fourth-wicket stand of 154 with Smith. Nathan Bromby (3-69) was the most successful bowler for Congs, but with Tom Glover and Elliott Wilson not bowling because of niggling injuries, the home side’s attack was made to look extremely tame as St Lawrence won with 8.2 overs to spare.
Congs would have been disappointed to have only made 215-5 in conditions which favoured batting, a hard track and a fast outfield. Scott Cunningham top scored with 54 and Andrew Bourke looked good in making 49, but Congs were never able to dominate. Skipper Babar Butt (38no) tried to raise the tempo but some extremely defensive field placings ensured St Lawrence kept control of the game.
Pudsey Congs 215-5 (50 overs) v Pudsey St. Lawrence 216-4 (41.4 overs)
Pudsey Congs batting: S Cunningham 54; A Bourke 49; B Butt 38 no
Pudsey St. Lawrence batting: J Smith 132 no; K Maroof 47
Pudsey Congs bowling: N Bromby 3-69
Pudsey St. Lawrence (16 points) beat Pudsey Congs (6 points) by 6 wkts
Black Sheep Yorkshire Champions – Semi Final
Oakworth v Pudsey Congs
At Wide Lane, Worth Valley
Sunday August 5th, 2007
Pudsey Congs batsman Scott Cunningham set a new Black Sheep Champions Trophy individual record score of 210 as his side set up an all JCT 600 Bradford League final against holders Woodlands.
Cunningham’s magnificent innings enabled Congs to make a massive 356-4 against the Craven League champions Oakworth who they bowled out for 178 with young Ben Burkill taking four for 33. Michael Scarborough was the one Oakworth batsman to impress with 52.
Congs skipper Babar Butt said of Cunningham’s knock: “He had to grind it out for his first 50 and then things became easier. Once he got past 100, he decided to tee off’ and everything he went for came off and he just went on and on. It’s up there with some of his best knocks ever.”
Butt also had praise for Burkill, saying: “He has filled in a few times and every time he has impressed with the ball. He took a hat-trick against Townville at the same stage last year when we went down but this time he has helped take us a step further.”
Congs will now face their old rivals Woodlands at Hanging Heaton on September 16 (noon start). The Bradford League champions scored a hard-earned 27 run win over Yorkshire League champions Barnsley at Shaw Lane.
Baildon v Pudsey Congs
At Jenny Lane
Saturday August 4th, 2007
Third-placed Pudsey Congs defeated their bogey side Baildon by six wickets at Jenny Lane on Saturday. Andrew Bourke made his highest Bradford League score of 80 not out and Alex Twigg hit 68 as the Congs overhauled the Baildon score of 197-6 with an over to spare.
Baildon’s innings was given a sound base by opener Simon Davies (53) and his efforts were built on by Jonny Reynolds (31) and then Mushtaq Ahmed who smashed a rapid 42 not out. Mark Bray, bowling against his old club, was the pick of the Congs bowlers with four for 39. The Congs are on the road again tomorrow as they visit Oakworth in the Yorkshire Champions Semi Final at Worth Valley.
Baildon 197-6 (50 overs) v Pudsey Congs 201-4 (49 overs)
Baildon batting: S Davies 53, J Reynolds 32, M Ahmed 42 no
Pudsey Congs bowling: M Bray 4-39
Pudsey Congs batting: A Twigg 68, A Bourke 80 no
Pudsey Congs (17 points) beat Baildon (5 points) by 6 wkts
Farsley v Pudsey Congs
At Red Lane
Sunday July 29th, 2007
Pudsey Congs would have gone second if they had defeated Farsley, but skipper Babar Butt was dismissed off the final ball with the scores tied. He was caught by Steve Lawrence attempting to make the winning hit off Matthew Lumb’s bowling. Butt had made a fine 77 which had taken the Congs from the edge of disaster at 30-5 to the brink of victory. Glen Roberts (30) helped Butt to initiate the recovery but it was Tom Glover who played a bigger part as he hit an unbeaten 38 in an eight-wicket stand of 104 with Butt. The early Congs batting had been undone by Chris Henry who claimed three for 43 in a fine 15 over spell.
Farsley had also suffered early setbacks in their innings. They were 31-4 before wicketkeeper Dave Syers and skipper Ashley Metcalfe pulled things round. Syers made a splendid 92 and was well supported by Metcalfe who made 45 as Farsley set a target of 194-8. Glover, who had a fine afternoon, was the pick of the Congs bowlers with three for 44. Each team picked up 12 points.
Farsley 194-8 (50 overs) v Pudsey Congs 194-8 (50 overs)
Farsley batting: A Metcalfe 45; D Syers 42
Pudsey Congs bowling: T Glover 3-44
Pudsey Congs batting: G Roberts 30; B Butt 77; T Glover 38 no
Farsley bowling: C Henry 3-43
Farsley (12 points) tied with Pudsey Congs (12 points)
Pudsey Congs v Cleckheaton
At the Britannia Ground
Saturday July 28th, 2007
Third-placed Pudsey Congs were forced to fight hard for their 17-run win over Cleckheaton. They were in trouble at 44-5 but Matthew Doidge (47), Elliott Wilson (37no) and Glenn Roberts (28) guided them to a score of 157-9. Young bowlers Ian Wardlaw (3-33) and Tom Pringle (3-46) bowled well.
Cleckheaton were dismissed for 140 in reply with Mark Bray claiming four for 18 and Tom Glover (3-66). Seven batsmen got into double figures, but nobody was able to play the decisive innings Cleckheaton needed. Skipper John Wood top scored with 34.
Pudsey Congs 157-9 (50 overs) v Cleckheaton 140 all out (44.5 overs)
Pudsey Congs batting: M Doidge 47; E Wilson 37 no
Cleckheaton bowling: I Wardlaw 3-33; T Pringle 3-46
Cleckheaton batting: J Wood 34
Pudsey Congs bowling: M Bray 4-18; T Glover 3-66
Pudsey Congs (17 points) beat Cleckheaton (5 points)
Priestley Cup Quarter Final
Pudsey Congs v Brighouse
At Britannia Ground
Friday July 27th, 2007
Match report by Glen Duffield and Paul Coates
A break in the weather finally allowed the delayed Quarter Final of the Sovereign Healthcare Priestley Cup to go ahead. After putting up a very respectable score of 241-9, Pudsey Congs set about bowling out Brighouse to secure their place in the Semi Final. A strong batting performance earlier in the week anchored by Captain Babar Butt’s 56 and an equally fine 56 from Andrew Bairstow, propelled the Congs to a total that would be hard for Brighouse to match when they took to the wicket. Pudsey Congs dismissed Brighouse for 71 tonight to complete a 170-run win with a strong bowling performance from Scott Cunningham and Gary Roberts. The Congs will now take on Baildon in the semi-finals while Bowling Old Lane will take on Cleckheaton on Sunday, August 12.
Pudsey Congs 241-9 (50 overs)
Brighouse 71 (30.2overs)
Pudsey Congs batting: B Butt 56, A Bairstow 56, M Doidge 31, A Bourke 22
Brighouse bowling: D Dunkerley 4-30, T Linley 2-30
Pudsey Congs bowling: S Cunningham 4-11, G Roberts 3-27
Pudsey Congs beat Brighouse by 170 runs
Tie played Tuesday July 24 and Friday July 27
Black Sheep Yorkshire Champions – 2nd Round
Norwood Green v Pudsey Congs
At Rooks Hall Ground
Thursday July 19th, 2007
Match report by Paul Coates and Glen Duffield
The Congs travelled to Rooks Hall last evening to take on Norwood Green C.C. in the 2nd round of the Black Sheep Yorkshire Champions trophy.
Although this match had been postponed several times over the last few weeks, both Clubs were eager to get the contest underway. In a match reduced to 20 overs, Alex Twigg was brilliant with the bat ending the day with the high score of 74. Alex was well supported by Andrew Bairstow (40) and Andrew Bourke (22) as the Congs put up a respectable score of 162 for 6 in their allotted overs. In reply, Norwood Green were dismissed for 48 with Nathan Bromby taking 3 wickets. Also chipping in with the ball were Tom Glover with 2, Glenn Roberts also with 2 and Ben Burkill with 2 wickets. This all round display by the Congs sees them safely through to the Third round of the Competition.
Pudsey Congs 162 – for 6 in 20 ovrs – Alex Twigg 74, Andrew Bairstow 40, Andrew Bourke 22
Norwood Green 48 all out
Woodlands v Pudsey Congs
At Albert Terrace
Saturday July 14th, 2007
Champions Woodlands took another step towards their aim of a third successive JCT 600 Bradford League Division One title as they defeated third-placed Pudsey Congs to extend their lead at the top to 26 points.
Woodlands had to dig deep for their 13th win in 15 matches and the man they owe a huge debt to is Chris Brice. A few eyebrows were raised when his name appeared at the top of the half-season batting averages, but few who saw his battling 68 which steered Woodlands from a perilous 64-5 to a total of 218 all out will doubt his right to occupy that position. Brice showed patience, application and determination to revive his side with help from Adam Goldthorpe (34) and Safraz Ahmed (26) as Woodlands snatched the initiative away from Congs after Tom Glover (4-50) had cashed in on some indifferent batting from Woodlands’ top order.
Congs knew that they needed a good start if they were to challenge Woodlands’ total, but they didn’t get it. They plunged to nine for three and 36-5 before Derbyshire player Hassan Adnan with a patient 42, and Andrew Bourke (59) shared a sixth wicket stand of 83. It was Bourke’s highest Bradford League score but despite his crisp stroke play, Congs finished on 151-7, well short of their target as Safraz Ahmed (3-37) and Pieter Swanepoel (2-16) ensured another win for Woodlands.
* Woodlands 218 all out (49.5 overs) v Pudsey Congs 151-7 (50 overs)
Woodlands batting: C Brice 68; A Goldthorpe 34
Pudsey Congs bowling: T Glover 4-50; M Bray 3-49
Pudsey Congs batting: H Adnan 42; A Bourke 59
Woodlands bowling: S Ahmed 3-37
Woodlands (17 points) beat Pudsey Congs ( 7 points) by 67 runs
Pudsey Congs v Idle
At the Britannia Ground
Saturday July 7th, 2007
Match report by MB Knight
The Congs had no trouble in seeing off the challenge of lowly Idle at the Britannia on Saturday, the Cavendish Road side who are deep in the relegation zone, were beaten with six wickets to spare, and have a real battle on their hands to avoid the drop. Mark Bray was the top performer with the ball when the visitors were skittled out for just 162 losing eight wickets along the way and the likeable medium pacer deserved far more for his effort than 3 for 50 off 15 overs. Former Congs old boy Neil Nicholson (41) headed the scoring for the visitors before he was run out, and with overseas man Dilhara (38) added 71 in a lively fifth wicket stand. Scott Cunningham (4) was far from happy given out early, caught behind when the home men began their reply, but Alexis Twigg (39)and skipper Babar Butt (18) added 30 before being parted with Twigg ending as top scorer, after earlier in the day taking another stunning catch which is becoming his trademark. Coming in at number four Andrew Bairstow (38) again looked the part and the Congs eased home with Doidge (19 not out) and Bourke (14 not out) at the crease with the former Castleford man looking more like his old self after being dogged with injury.
Idle 162-8 (50 overs) v * Pudsey Congs 163-4 (38.5 overs)
Idle batting: L Dilhara 38: N Nicholson 41
Pudsey Congs bowling: M Bray 3-50
Pudsey Congs batting: A Twigg 59: A Bairstow 38
Idle bowling: L Dilhara 3-52
Pudsey Congs (16 points) beat Idle (4 points) by 6 wkts
Pudsey Congs v Hanging Heaton
At Britannia Ground
Saturday June 30th, 2007
Rained Out
Match abandoned
Pudsey Congs (2 points), Hanging Heaton (2 points)
Bradford & Bingley v Pudsey Congs
At Wagon Lane
Saturday June 23rd, 2007
Match report by MB Knight
The record of Matthew Doidge as the most successful Captain ever in the Bradford League is without question, so is his reputation as
one of the best middle order finishers in the game. Now, the former Congs skipper may soon be able to add another title to his name, that of top all-rounder, as he continues to get amongst the wickets in the same way as when he first started out as a youngster and came to the notice of Yorkshire CCC. The latest of the Congs victories headed by the left armer, came at Waggon Lane against struggling Bradford and Bingley, and bowling from the rugby ground end, in the manner of the former England and Kent man Derrick Underwood, caused all sorts of problems finishing with his best figures of the season 5 for 25. At the other end the pacy and enthusiastic Elliot Wilson, also put in his best performance (4 for 21) since arriving at the club, and the B’s were hustled out for just 91 after looking comfortable to start with at 59 for 2 ,until routed by the contrasting pace of Doidge and Wilson.
Faced with such a modest scoreline to win, the Congs had little trouble in reaching the target, even after Scott Cunningham (3) had gone early. Babar Butt ( 23 ) and Alexis Twigg ( 22 ) went on to retrieve the situation before being parted when Twigg spooned a catch to extra cover and the skipper was trapped leg before. A more restrained Andrew Bairstow ( 38 not out ) looked good at the end, punishing the home attack with a fine array of shots all round the wicket and finished things off with a classy innings, but it was that man Doidge who guided the winning run after young Richard Jubb ( 2 ) had become Thompson’s third victim.
* Bradford & Bingley 91 all out (35.5 overs ) v Pudsey Congs 93-4 (28.3 overs)
Bfd & Bingley batting: P Slater 32
Pudsey Congs bowling: M Doidge 5-2, E Wilson 4-21
Pudsey Congs batting: A Bairstow 38 no
Bfd & Bingley bowling: C Thompson 3-26
Pudsey Congs (15 points) beat Bradford & Bingley (2 points) by 6 wkts
Pudsey Congs v Manningham Mills
At the Britannia Ground
Saturday June 16th, 2007
And
Pudsey Congs v Bowling Old Lane
At the Britannia Ground
Sunday June 17th, 2007
Match report by MB Knight
The Congs roller coaster season continued with two below par displays against the newly promoted Manningham Mills and Bowling Old Lane. Both teams were visiting the Britannia ground for the first time since the late eighties, and in both contests the Congs were made to struggle, after going into the games on the back of some good results in recent weeks .
Against the Mills, after an early breakthrough by Nathan Bromby, when he had Maroof ( 5 ) caught behind by Bairstow, all the bowlers came under the cosh, and rarely troubled the visiting overseas star Asif Hussain ( 98 ), who walloped nine huge sixes and just missed out on three figures, and his late surge of runs with Asan Butt ( 39 ) left the Congs with an Everest like target to win, in a game restricted to 30 overs a-side due to the heavy overnight rain. Six single figure scores by the early order home men tells its own story, and they were pegged back from the start by a controlled opening attack and then later by Gemail Hussain ( 4 for 23 ) and Butt who finished with 5 for 16 off only 6 overs.
Manningham Mills 189-4 (30 overs ) v * Pudsey Congs 86 (26.2 overs )
Manningham Mills batting: A Hussain 98no, A Butt 39
Pudsey Congs batting: B Butt 19, H Adnan 16
Manningham Mills bowling: A Butt 5-16, G Hussain 4-23
Manningham Mills (18 points) beat Pudsey Congs (2pts) by 103 runs
Against the 2006 second division champions Bowling Old Lane a day later, things did improve a little, but it was left until the very last over with just three balls to spare to return to winning ways by a narrow two run margin.
For the Congs who batted first, Alexis Twigg (55) was back to his best against two useful looking opening pace bowlers, and he was out when looking to accelerate. Skipper Babar Butt ( 30 ) and Scott Cunningham (21) were the other main run getters, but a mid order lull in the proceedings followed by a mini collapse, left the homeside way short of a decent scoreline and they were only helped by Glen Roberts ( 16 ) and Mark Bray ( 11 not out ) plus a huge extras total ( 39 ). Set to score 200 to win, Old Lane were always in the game having been given a good start, but though clearly not at their best, the Congs stuck to their task and ended on top and maintain their challenge at the title.
Pudsey Congs 199 (49.5overs) v Bowling Old Lane 196-5
Pudsey Congs batting: A Twigg 55, B Butt 30
Bowling Old Lane bowling: S Khan 5-23
Bowling Old Lane batting: S Khan 56no, W Hussain 33, T Khan 33
Pudsey Congs bowling: S Cunningham 2-18
Pudsey Congs (15 points) beat Bowling Old Lane 8 points) by 3 runs
Black Sheep Yorkshire Champions – 1st Round
Honley v Pudsey Congs
At Far End Lane
Sunday June 10th, 2007
Twenty-four hours after taking four wickets each to bowl Pudsey Congs to a two-run league win over East Bierley, Scott Cunningham and Matthew Doidge turned batting heroes in the Black Sheep Champions Trophy. Cunningham made 61 and Doidge (60) as the Congs secured a 32 run win over the Drakes Huddersfield League champions Honley. Skipper Babar Butt also chipped in with an unbeaten 38 as the Congs set a total their opponents just could not match.
Honley tried to force the pace but were kept in check by Mark Bray who took 4 for 35 to help clinch his side a second round away tie against the Bradford Central League champions Norwood Green, who have been elected to the JCT 600 Bradford League for the 2008 season.
Pudsey Congs 243-6 (S Cunningham 61, M Doidge 60, B Butt 38no)
Honley 211 (M Cox 41, J Green 35, S Kelly 25, M Bray 4-35)
East Bierley v Pudsey Congs
At South View Road
Saturday June 9th, 2007
Match report by MB Knight
All the pre match gossip surrounding Congs opener Afaq Raheem playing his last game for the club was soon forgotten in this Match of The Day clash at Bierley’s South View ground. The rising young star finished his stint at the club with a faultless display, to join up with the Pakistan future players training squad, and his exceptional talent will certainly be missed, but it was two home grown players who finally stole the late evening show. Former skipper Matthew Doidge (4 for 52) and the emerging talent of all-rounder Scott Cunningham (4 for 32) finished as joint match winners with the ball, as the Congs ended Bierley’s reign at the top in a dramatic last over, to seal their third vital win on the trot.
Raheem (69) signed off in style, and with the dogged Scott Cunningham (20) laid the platform for the later charge by former skipper Matthew Doidge, and he didn’t let his supporters down. To witness Doidge in full flow is a Bradford League treat not to be missed, and he celebrated the birth of a new baby daughter, born just two days earlier, by racing to a brilliant half century before being trapped by Jarvis on (67). Faced with a target of all the 2’s (222) to win, Bierley were on top for long periods early on until Doidge got the breakthrough when he had Rennison (36) caught by Wilson. With Cunningham operating at the other end, the Britannia men gained control with Alexis Twigg taking a stunning catch to get rid of the dangerous Jaffer Nazir. With nine runs required off the final over, Cunningham got the vital wicket of Hutchison after the former Yorkshire and Pudsey St Lawrence pacemen had looked set to deny a great fightback by the Congs, which takes them into third spot in the league as we approach the halfway stage in the battle to regain the title.
Pudsey Congs 221-9 (50 overs) v * East Bierley 219 all out (49.4 overs)
Pudsey Congs batting: A Raheem 69; M Doidge 67
East Bierley batting: G Razak 59; A Rennison 36; P Hutchison 38
Pudsey Congs bowling: M Doidge 4-52; S Cunningham 4-32
Pudsey Congs (19 points) beat East Bierley (8 points) by 2 runs
Priestley Cup 2nd Round
Woodlands v Pudsey Congs
At Albert Terrace
Sunday June 3rd, 2007
Match report By MB Knight
A display of Pride Passion and Belief, our now famous Club motto, upset the cup holders and current league champions on their own patch on last Sunday. Following the record breaking day against Saltaire 24 hours earlier, the Congs now go into the hat for the next round of the Sovereign Health Care Priestley Cup drawn at the weekend.
Woodlands, who have been going well all season, were held up by some tight bowling and also later by a solid and controlled batting display with skipper Babar Butt there at the end to finish things off with just three overs to spare. Batting first, the homeside set a target of 185 for the Congs to chase for a place in the next round, which could have been much less barring a late flurry of runs from veteran Murphy Walwyn (42). Early on, former County colt Scott Richardson, and Woodlands Skipper Tim Orrel, both looked well set before being pinned down and then beaten by a keen Congs attack, who were missing Elliot Wilson on duty in the Minor Counties Competition. Openers Twigg and Raheem were both early victims when the Congs began their reply and were left struggling, but Cunningham (31) and Bairstow (49) who came together at 23 for 2, both held their nerve to lay the platform for two of the best finishers in the League, Matthew Doidge (43 not out) and Glen Roberts (20), who was finally trapped lbw leaving skipper Babar Butt to end the proceedings.
Woodlands 185 all out (46.4 overs) v Pudsey Congs 186-6 (47.2 overs)
Woodlands batting: M Walwyn 42
Pudsey Congs bowling: M Doidge 3-37; G Roberts 3-31
Pudsey Congs batting: A Bairstow 49; M Doidge 43 no; S Cunningham 31
Woodlands bowling: S Ahmed 2-35
Pudsey Congs won by 4 wkts
Pudsey Congs v Saltaire
At the Britannia Ground
Saturday June 2nd, 2007
Match report By MB Knight
It was a record breaking day at the Britannia on Saturday when Saltaire were beaten with 80 runs to spare after the Congs had run riot, batting first. Afaq Raheem (152), displaying a fine array of shots all round the ground which was a joy to watch, hit the highest ever individual league total by a home player as the record breaking three hundred mark was passed and his massive contribution completed a hat-trick for the record books as the home men went on to claim maximum points for the first time since the new bonus system was introduced. The highly talented opener cruised to a serene century, and his final tally of runs included 22 fours and 5 massive sixes. He was ably supported by wicketkeeper Andrew Bairstow (58) who continues to pile up some important runs, after the luckless Alex Twigg was given out early, caught behind, without scoring. Faced with a daunting total of 305 to win was always going to be difficult task for the visitors, but it took a dramatic finale, on a par with the happenings against Baildon a week ago to ease the Congs home. Concentrating on achieving maximum batting bonus points, Saltaire left the door open for the Britannia men to mop up the tail with Raheem and Roberts grabbing two wickets apiece in the last two overs. All-rounder Glen Roberts finished with 3 for 44 and Raheems off-spin coming on at the end got him 2 from 2 .
Pudsey Congs 305-9 (50 overs) v Saltaire 225 all out (50 overs)
Pudsey Congs batting: A Raheem 152 ; A Bairstow 58
Saltaire bowling: G Ahmed 5-58
Saltaire batting: F Maqsood 68 ; G Ahmed 57 ; W Munawar 46
Pudsey Congs bowling: G Roberts 3-44
Pudsey Congs (20 points) beat Saltaire (9 points) by 80 runs
Pudsey St Lawrence v Pudsey Congs
At Tofts Road
Monday May 28th, 2007
and
Pudsey Congs v Baildon
At Britannia Ground
Saturday May 26th, 2007
Both matches reported By MB Knight
The Congs bounced back off the ropes in great style in the Bank Holiday double header. Following the disappointment and drama of the last ball defeat against high flying Baildon, they showed lots of character to come back strongly against title contenders Pudsey Saints and go on to grab a valuable 16 points with a vital win, which keeps them hard on the heels of the leaders, and could be a great confidence booster for the new look side in the weeks ahead. In Saturday’s clash against Baildon, the Congs raced away to a fine start with new overseas recruit Raheem again looking in good form. Unfortunatly they lost their way after the spinners were introduced into the attack and they went on to dominate the proceedings and gain the upperhand, and it was only a super knock by all-rounder Glen Roberts late on that gave the Britannia men a decent total to defend. But, not for the first time over recent seasons, Baildon hit the Congs hard where it hurts when it was their turn with the bat. Having battled strongly to give themselves a good chance of winning the contest, the Congs came unstuck in the final over, with the visitors claiming victory off the very last ball, a hugely disappointing end to the contest for the home supporters.
Pudsey Congs 222-8 (50 overs) v Baildon 223-8 (50 overs)
Pudsey Congs batting: A Raheem 88; G Roberts 52 no
Baildon bowling: M Ahmed 3-40; S Burkul 3-78
Baildon batting: J Reynolds 74; T Bhatti 33; I Philliskirk 63
Pudsey Congs bowling: A Raheem 2-34
Baildon (18 points) beat Pudsey Congs (8 points) by 2wkts
Forty eight hours later at Tofts Road it was a different story. The Congs made up for losing out at home at the start of the holidays, and came away with an emphatic win against their fiercest rivals. Tom Glover with 4 for 45 led the way with a fine spell of bowling and the homeside were held to just 167 for 9 with Glen Roberts ending with 3 for 25 and Elliot Wilson snapping up the other wicket to go down. Chasing 168 to win , Alex Twigg (95) was back to his best, finishing as the days top scorer and with Scott Cunniningham (35) at the other end also in good shape, their partnership of 110 took the Congs almost to the finishing line with Bairstow (15 not out) and Doidge (4 not out ) there at the close.
Pudsey St. Lawrence 167-9 (48 overs) v Pudsey Congs 170-4 (42.4 overs)
Pudsey St. Lawrence batting: M Robertshaw 3 ; T Stray 49
Pudsey Congs bowling: T Glover 4-45; G Roberts 3-26
Pudsey Congs batting: A Twigg 95; S Cunningham 35
Pudsey Congs (16 points) beat Pudsey St. Lawrence (4 points)
Idle v Pudsey Congs
At Cavendish Road
Saturday May 19th, 2007
Report By MB Knight
The Congs had to work hard to overcome lowly Idle at Cavendish Road on Saturday in a game restricted to 30 overs due to the early morning rain. Set to score 163 to win, some big hitting by Dilhara (43) and Cummings (35) kept the homeside in the frame for a long period having been given a solid start by the two openers. In the absence of all-rounders Glen Roberts and Scott Cunningham, whose early season form has been outstanding, skipper Babar Butt had fewer options in attack, and Idle looked likely at one time, to give the Congs a shock for the second week on the trot. Until that is, Matthew Doidge got the breakthrough and Elliot Wilson picked up his best haul of the season after taking over from Mark Bray who had partnered Glover in the opening attack. Earlier overseas star Afaq Raheem (60) cruised effortlessly past the fifty mark before being beaten and Andrew Bairstow chipped in with a pugnacious (30). Former Castleford man Andrew Bourke (19) hit his highest score of the season, and those three were the most significant innings in the pursuit of quick runs. Elliot Wilson topped the bowling in his best stint so far finishing with 4 for 59 off 8 overs. Matthew Doidge collected 2 for 32 and Tom Glover was the other wicket taker as the homeside failed by just 16 runs leaving the Congs in fifth place in the title race.
Pudsey Congs 162-7 (30 overs) v * Idle 147-8 (30 overs)
Pudsey Congs batting: A Raheem 60; A Bairstow 30
Idle bowling: G Colehan 3-37; M Allen 3-29
Idle batting: L Dilhara 43; P Cummins 35
Pudsey Congs bowling: E Wilson 4-59
Pudsey Congs (16 points) beat Idle (4points) by 15 runs
Cleckheaton v Pudsey Congs
At Moorend
Saturday May 12th, 2007
Report By MB Knight
The Congs new recruits are taking time to adjust to the rigours and the competitive Bradford League and their latest arrival, Pakistan batting star Afaq Raheem, making his debut at Cleckheaton on Saturday, was the early victim of an extremely poor decision, given out caught behind. Setting off at at breakneck pace having been asked to bat, the homeside were eventually hauled back by a fine stint of bowling, combining both pace and spin. Mark Bray had an excellent spell and finished with 2 for 38 off his 15 overs, but it was the control of Glen Roberts that really slowed things down and his mid-innings stint ended with the remarkable figures of 15:10:13:3. The sterling effort of those two should have left the Congs not too much to do to secure a third win of the season, but struggling at 87 for 6 the homeside recovered to race away in the final 10 overs with Wood (51) completing a half century and Pringle ( 35 not out ). Set to score 186 to win, the Congs ended 44 runs short, after the wicket turned spiteful together with some very poor dismissals and they now find themselves in mid-table at this early stage of the season.
Yeadon v Pudsey Congs
At the High Street Ground
Sunday May 6th, 2007
Report By MB Knight
Scott Cunningham continued his fine start to the new season when the Congs travelled to take on old rivals Yeadon from the second division. The South Yorkshire based player just missed out on a deserved century finishing on ( 91 ) and when the homeside replied, he picked up two valuable wickets ending with ( 2 for 18 ). Mark Bray with 3 for 24 off his ten overs, also looks to be getting back to his old form, and he starred with the ball after joining the attack, stiffelling the middle order, and both players are showing what might have been last season when they were both hit by bad injuries.
After his unbeaten century twenty four hours earlier, Alex Twigg ( 40 ) carried on from where he had left off, and wicket keeper Andrew Bairstow with a typical innings finished on (32) as Yeadon were left with a tall order to win, chasing a total of 222 on a difficult wicket, and after losing Sajad ( 32 ), they were unable to present a serious challenge apart from tailenders Wray ( 30 ) and Walsh ( 18 ).
Pudsey Congs V Brighouse
At Britannia Ground
Saturday May 5th, 2007
Report By MB Knight
Two Stylish centuries dominated Saturdays clash at the Britannia when the Congs entertained Brighouse.
Choosing to bat first, the visitors lost both openers cheaply, but coming in with just nine runs showing on the scoreboard, Haroon Rashid ( 103 ) reached a near faultless unbeaten century including eleven boundarys, and apart from a late flurry of runs from tailenders Linley ( 18 ) and Sanjor ( 24 not out ) the rest of the order had little to offer and struggled all afternoon. Tom Glover was again the pick of the home attack, and a hostile opening spell earned the former Harrogate speedman ( 4 for 65 ) with Nathan Bromby ( 1 for 36 ) capturing the only other wicket to go down after Iqbal ( 5 ) and Linley were both run out towards the end.
Chasing a target of 207 to win, the the Congs eased home sedately with few alarms. Opener Alex Twigg ( 108 not out ) hit his first century for the club, reaching the boundary on a remarkable twenty one occasions, offering only one chance late on. Scott Cunningham ( 20 ) was also going well before being caught off Linley, and Matthew Doidge ( 43 ) was out frustratingly off the same bowler, when another half century looked on the cards. He was the third victim of the Sussex pace bowler Linley ( 3 for 60 ) who bowled menacingly all afternoon and looked by far the best for the visitors. Skipper Babar Butt ( 19 not out ) was the other main run getter, and with ten overs to spare, the Congs made it two wins out of three, but are still looking to take maximum bonus points and close in on the leaders.
Pudsey Congs 17pts Brighouse 6pts
Pudsey Congs V Woodlands
At Britannia Ground
Saturday April 28th, 2007
Report By MB Knight
An unusual out of sorts performance by the Congs, saw them slip to defeat against the defending champions Woodlands, in front of a sizeable crowd at the Britannia. After being put in, the visitors got off to a solid unspectacular start through openers Richardson ( 31 ) and Frankland, with the former Elland man Frankland, finishing on ( 17 ) and both looked well set before being parted. Nick Rushworth ( 37 ) also looked to be heading for a decent score until Doidge had him caught behind by wicket keeper Bairstow, who had a hand in three of the first four wickets to go down. With the drinks interval gone, and the scoreboard showing 122 for 5, things looked to be going according to plan and the Congs looked evenly placed, but from then on they lost the initiative and never really looked like gaining control, remaining in a stranglehold for the rest of the match. Tosh Baker ( 85 ), back in the Bradford League after a stint at Wrenthorpe, and the late order contribution of Sarfraz ( 25 ) and Chris Brice ( 28 not out ), took advantage of some wayward bowling and left the title chasing Congs with a huge margin to make up .
Faced with a total of 262 to keep on the winning trail, the Congs struggled from the off against the accurate pace of Swanepoel and Ahmed, who both showed great control, but it was the combined change in pace of Spittlehouse ( 5 for 23 ) and Spinner Brice ( 3 for 53 ) that settled the issue leaving the Congs trailing over 100 runs short in the 44th over.
Woodlands (20 points) beat Pudsey Congs (5 points) by 117 runs
Hanging Heaton v Pudsey Congs
At Bennett Lane
Saturday April 21st, 2007
By MB Knight
The Congs 2007 Campaign got off to the best possible start with an emphatic win against Hanging Heaton, which is always a difficult place to go, and who always provide tough opposition, but on this occasion the Bennett Lane men were no match for the rampant Congs new line-up.
Batting first, Andrew Bourke (5) and Alex Twigg (both on league debut) were early casualties of the home attack, but a partnership in the contrasting styles of Scott Cunningham and Andrew Bairstow got the innings back on track before Bairstow (34) holed out. Cunningham (50) went on to complete a superb half century until he received a gem of a yorker, and Doidge (36) ,who had also being going well, soon followed disastrously run out when looking in fine fettle having just lofted two glorious sixes. All-rounder Elliot Wilson (33), another debut man, was also in a six hitting mood following Doidge with two cracking shots, and with new skipper Babar Butt (21 not out) at the other end. The Congs ended at 200 for 5, having looked set for a much bigger total at one stage when Doidge was at the crease.
If Scott Cunningham was the star performer with the bat earlier in the day, Paceman Tom Glover was certainly the super star with the ball when Hanging Heaton began their reply chasing the double hundred. The big former Harrogate strike bowler was in devastating form from the start and ripped into the the home middle batting order after first getting rid of the dangerous Zac Morris (19). As wickets started to tumble, the Bennett Lane men had no answer to the giant paceman who got his league debut off in stunning fashion, ending with figures of 8 for 32 ….. What a start.
Former Morley all-rounder Nathan Bromby was the other wicket taker collecting 2 for 35 to complete a quickfire and first class win ahead of next Saturdays opener against champions Woodlands.
Pudsey Congs 19 pts , Hanging Heaton 2 pts
Pudsey Congs v Wickersley
AND
Pudsey Congs v Methley
Weekend of April 14th & 15th, 2007
By MB Knight
Rotherham based Wickersley from the South Yorkshire League, and attractive Yorkshire Central League outfit Methley provided the opposition, as the Congs got the 2007 season off to a flying start ahead of Saturdays opening league clash at Bennett Lane against Hanging Heaton.
Both games provided a good test for the new look Congs side, who were without two of their new additions to the squad, Pakistan batting star Afaq Raheem , and Minor Counties quickie Elliott Wilson. Former Castleford opening bat Andrew Bourke (45), fresh from a successful season down under, and new skipper Babar Butt (79 not out) were the main run getters along with Matthew Doidge, as the Congs reached 239 for 5 on a far from easy wicket and this proved far to much for the home side who ended 36 runs short on 203 with just one wicket remaining.
On the second glorious day of the weekend at a picturesque Methley, the home side were bundled out for a paltry 137 and were left struggling against debut man Wilson, who bowled at a lively pace, finishing with 2 for 23, and left-armer Mathew Doidge 3 for 13. Nathan Bromby another newcomer, had also reason to be pleased with his debut over the two games, and the former Morley all-rounder ended with 2 for 37, with a fit again Scott Cunningham being the other chief wicket taker snapping up 2 for 14. When the Congs replied a typical Andrew Bairstow knock ‘all punch and power’, provided the bulk of the runs, with Cunningham, and another of the debut quartet, Harrogate number one Twigg, all making useful runs as the Britannia men eased home comfortably.
The Congs looked to have assembled a more than a useful looking squad for a new assault on the league with the vastly experienced Babar Butt at the helm, and the seasons home opener at the Britannia Ground against Champions Woodlands has the hallmark of being a cracking encounter when the visitors will be aiming to lift the title for the third time on the trot.