1XI MATCH REPORTS 2020
July 25, 2020 - Keighley @ the Brit
A new look Congs first XI elected to field first, looking to take the initiative with the ball.
Jamie Allen and Vinit Patel (debut) bowled tight opening spells and picked up 2 wickets each reducing Keighley to 13-4. While the runs started to flow more freely in the middle overs, Congs continued to take wickets with Sam Wisniewski bowling his 8 overs for 21 runs taking 3 wickets. Keighley allrounder Paul Quinlan lead the charge in their recovery, and his 48 not out got Keighley to 125-9 from their 40 overs.
In reply, Congs slumped to 4-3 within 5 overs all to LBW decisions. Josh Bennett (debut) played well for his 24 and Keighley would have been eyeing victory when he was stumped, leaving Congs 50-6. Wisniewski and Heptinstall had other ideas, batting with great control and looked set to bring home the win. Losing Ryan at 82-7 saw Vinit Patel come to the crease, who settled quickly batting positively. A late twist gave the home supporters cause for concern when Wisniewski fell for 20, and Doey was dismissed the next over needing just 4 to win. Congs secured the win by 1 wicket with Patel an unbeaten 28.
July 26, 2020 - T20 East Bierley @ South View rd
Congs won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Vinit Patel struck in the first over and this set the tone for the first innings. Wickets fell regularly and, despite the efforts of Jack Hebden (42) and Ben Walter (31), East Bierley were bowled out for what felt like an under par 123. Vinit Patel finishing with 3-17 and Ryan Heptinstall 2-10.
In pursuit, Jacob Slator and Subhaan Ammar set the tone with an opening stand of 58. Slator making an excellent 35 from 33 balls. Despite losing 3 wickets and scoring being slowed by some tight bowling from Dan Cross, Congs needed 15 off the last 12 deliveries. 14 year old Sabir Mahmood showed experience beyond his years, taking the first 3 balls for 9 runs on his way to an unbeaten 27 from 29 balls. Then it was over to Jacques Allen to finish the job with a 6, a very useful 17 off 13 balls.
An excellent team performance from a young Congs XI, looking forward to taking on New Farnley at home Sunday 2nd August 2pm.
August 8, 2020 - Baildon @ Jenny Lane
On a perfect hot summers day what better than to travel to Baildon and their lovely ground and come away with the points in an all round solid team effort. The only sadness was when Chris Doey collapsed in agony dislocating his right knee as he released the ball in his delivery stride in his first over over of the day.
The pitch looked fine but Slator and Ammar received deliveries that almost did not bounce, unplayable.
Captain Jubb and Chopra set about the situation in fine style displaying caution and freedom of shot in an excellent partnership which flourished not only with stroke play but running between the wickets that was reminicent of Matthew Doidge and Glen Roberts of yesteryear. Their speed of thought and pace deflated the Baildon fielders who became increasingly untidy and dispirited. Chopra fell for a quality innings of 55 and Jacques Allen entered the fray and played a gem of an innings in scoring 32 not out in no time at all. Jubb continued his breakneck innings, proving his fitness and providing energy through till 200 was reached in the final over. Well played.
Our opening attack whilst economical did not appear to worry the batters and former Congs Captain James Ford hung around in his patient manner accumulating runs easily. Wisniewski provided the breakthrough, although the injury to Doey left Jacques Allen to dismiss Ford with a delivery which hardly lifted. With four spinners, I am delighted to report that Heptinstall with his left arm spin demolished the Baildon side in 8 overs with 5 for 24 and Ryan is gaining confidence as this season develops. Good energy in the field and with Bennett going about his work in a neat quality way behind the stumps and our entire first team had a very good day. A while later Chris was back to his usual self but he will not be driving to Scotland for this weeks holiday or playing cricket for a period.
On the very worrying topic that Methley CC could not raise a team to play at Amber Cars Britannia Ground makes one concerned what other unpleasant surprises this blasted pandemic has in store for us.
August 15, 2020 - Hartshead Moor @ the Brit
Winning the toss and electing to bowl on a pitch that shouted runs, Captain Jubb was rewarded with a penetrative accurate performance from opening bowlers Jamie Allen and Patel. Allen also included a smart catch at third man as the batters found runs hard to come by, good work you two.
Slator also bowled in a miserly fashion similar to his Tofts Road spell last Sunday finishing with figures of 6-4-7-2, excellent. Stanhope bowled a tight spell as did Jacques Allen and Heptinstall but were not supported by our fielding which became rather casual not helped by catches going to ground, which the players will be disappointed with and look to improve. This period allowed the Hartshead batters to add useful runs but 116 seemed a meagre total for the conditions.
Bennett and Slator started cautiously taking 59 deliveries to score 5 runs off the bat as the bowlers bowled a pretty good line and length. Suddenly our resolve vanished with wickets tumbling in a succession of poor shots. Jacques Allen made 20 with four boundaries and Congs were grateful for a spate of extras as supporters endured another nervous batting effort.
Step forward Ammar who played in a composed manner treating each delivery on its merits, attack and defence were well judged as Congs inched towards victory. Heptinstall was a calm partner but Ammar was the man of the moment with 47 runs with 4x4 and 2 maximums earning the win and plaudits for a fine effort sealing the points with a huge 6.
A footnote as both sides bowled well on a good batting surface yet there were 24 wides in the match. However nowadays it seems a delivery does not have to be outside the return creases to be called wide. Question.
August 23, 2020 - T20 Semi Final v Bradford & Bingley @ Wagon Lane
A disappointing end to the T20 campaign ended in defeat after Pat Dixon made an excellent 61 out in 51 balls out off a total of 109. The remaining batters floundered against some quality Congs bowling backed up by swift and sure fielding. Heptinstall, Patel, Jacques Allen and Chopra were the miserly bowlers and 110 in 19 overs seemed achievable.
However the Congs batters battled hard with Ammar making 29 in 44 balls. Then there was some desperate attempts to increase the scoring rate leading to the sorry run out of Captain Jubb and others fell striving to meet the required rate despite being helped by 10 wides from the home side. Congs eventually fell just short by 11 runs but overall performed well throughout the competition played in front of good crowds.
Altogether a good initiative by the League in this most peculiar of seasons.
August 29, 2020 - Keighley @ Hard Ings Rd
On a cold day in Keighley, off the back of a very wet week, the home side won the toss and unsurprisingly asked Congs to bat first.
The pitch proved difficult to score freely on and outfield slow, but openers Slator and Bennett showed great resolve and determination to set a platform for the team to post a competitive total. Neither managed to kick on, but Mahmood 33 and Ammar 24 picked their moment in the innings and accelerated the scoring rate, their 50 partnership coming from just 48 deliveries and propelling Congs to 145-6 from 40 overs. Paul Quinlan the pick of the bowlers with 4-28.
Keighley in reply were 30-1 after 11 overs and would have fancied their chances need 116 off 174 balls. Stanhope and Heptinstall had other ideas, bowling tight spells of 2-18 and 2-11 respectively off their 8 overs. Vinit Patel got his rewards at the death after a tight spell at the top of the innings and finished with 3-14, Keighley faltering to 96-9 with Raees Hussain top scoring with 45.
An excellent team performance in difficult conditions. Congs travel to second place Bankfoot next week, hoping to seal top spot in the East Section and confirm their place in the division 1 final on 19th September.
September 5, 2020 - Bankfoot @ Wickets Close
A cold gloomy day after a week of heavy rain but was made enjoyable by the warmth of welcome received at Bankfoot and Tong Park Esholt, both games being played in a keen competitive sporting manner.
The pitches at both grounds played well and spinners Heptinstall and Jacques Allen took the honours, although the rest of the attack was energetic and purposeful but the fielding was not up to the high standards set this campaign with 3 simple catches dropped but 3 fine grabs that slightly compensated but allowed the home team to score more than was comfortable.
And so it proved.
September 19, 2020 - Covid Cup Final v Birstall @ Leeds Road
Two of Pudsey Congs’ most promising teenage batsmen powered their side to victory in the Gordon Rigg Division One League Cup final.
Seventeen-year-old opener Jacob Slator hit a stunning 128
and 14-year-old Sabir Mahmood made 57
as Congs made 235-4 on their way to an 83-run win at Birstall.
Slator, who hit four sixes and 15 fours, shared in a second wicket stand worth 158 with Mahmood as the teenage duo made the most of skipper Richard Jubb’s decision to bat first.
Birstall, whose best bowler was spinner Josh Haynes (3-33) knew they needed a good start if they were to challenge the Congs’ total, but they were soon in trouble at 28-3.
The opening attack of Vinit Patel (2-19) and Jamie Allen (1-16) set the tone for another disciplined Congs bowling performance.
Benedict Gundry (40) and skipper Nick Kaye (37no) attempted to revive their side’s fortunes, but Slator had the final word with 3-30 on a day he will not forget in a hurry.
Well done Captain Jubb, congrats on the 2020 season