1XI MATCH REPORTS 2021
Saturday April 10 - Pre-Season Friendly v Bradford & Bingley @ Amber Cars Britannia Ground
After much hard work from many members and players preparing the ground and COVID protection, it was good to see cricket being played on a good pitch against Bradford and Bingley.
The fielding looked sharp, brothers Jaime and Jacques Allan took wickets and all bowlers got through some useful overs before driving snow hit the Amber Cars Britannia ground. Yes snow!
After a long break play resumed, again after much hard work and with the sensible decision for the Congs to bat and both teams therefore to get into shape before the serious stuff starts next Saturday.
The visitors attack looked swift but a patient start augered well for the home team but I must admit that after over four hours sat outside, I returned home before hypothermia set in.
A well organised start to the campaign and my men of the match were the two umpires who looked smart and in good form as they defied the elements.
Saturday April 17 - Hartshead Moor @ Highmoor Lane
The much anticipated start of the cricket season ended in disappointment for the 1st XI as they lost to Hartshead Moor by 2 wickets.
Having been put into bat Congs were well set at 65-2 at drinks, but collapsed to 84 all out.
Hartshead I am sure hoped for an easy run chase but Congs fought hard to force an unlikely win. The locals would have had a scare seeing them slump to 72-8, but knocked the runs off in the 26th over.
Congs will hope to get back to winning ways next week against Keighley at the Amber Cars Britannia Ground.
Thursday May 27 - T20 - PSL @ Tofts Road
After the rain, some sunshine! Thanks to the cooperation of the Top Enders we were able to play the 20/20 fixture at Tofts Road as the Amber Cars Britannia Ground was still waterlogged.
That was not the only surprise of the evening as the Congs ran out convincing winners by 8 wickets thanks in main to a tremendous innings of 80 not out by Jacob Slator.
The Saints started briskly but the introduction of spin and some red hot fielding with accurate returns to the new keeper (Babar Butt) caused a flurry of wickets. From a promising start, the innings subsided to 121 with Heptinstall, Chopra and Pramud featuring in a good team performance. The only downside was 10 wides and some were big wides.
In reply, Slator played calmly and Sabir continued his journey of learning how to play, we know he can bat. Slator grew in confidence hitting ten boundaries and two maximums, a spectacular innings. Chopra hastened the end with three quick boundaries much to the delight shown by a good following of Congs supporters.
Saturday May 29 - Ossett @ Queens Terrace
After Thursdays excellent performance and on the first warm and dry day for ages, I was pleased as I drove in to see the score at 35 for none and we were batting. We lost a wicket first ball I witnessed and sad to say from that moment we were never really in the game. Jacob Slator and Josh Bennett had got off to a good start on a pitch that played low and slow. We were pinned down ironically by a former Congs player, Max Chappell who bowled a miserly spell 15-3-22-4. Determination to score was apparent but it was hard work and required skill and placement against a very useful bowling attack.
It was soon plain that 88 would be not enough as Hadfield set about the task with energy and power against an erratic bowling display. After his dismissal for 45, Congs picked up a wicket or two but I left the ground down hearted and fearing the future as we are now in a relegation battle, with only 4 batting bonus which highlights our difficulties.
Whilst disappointed, I believe we have the leadership, skills and ability to turn this campaign around.
Tuesday June 8 - T20 - Birstall @ Amber Cars Britannia Ground
Congs batting fired on all cylinders to comfortably to overtake the considerable score achieved by Birstall of 167.
Pramud Hettiwatte really arrived at the party with 77 in 43 balls (10x4 & 2x6), terrific. He was well supported by Jacques Allen (28) and Rishi Chopra (36) to add to his three wickets for 26.
Congs bowling hanging on under a barrage of leather by all the Birstall batters especially Chris Becker, 50 in 31 balls.
One of highlights of the evening was the huge carry of some of the 6's, also a magnificent outfield catch judged perfectly by Ryan Heptinstall.
More of this please, well played.
Saturday June 19 - Gomersal @ Amber Cars Britannia Ground
Congs continued their recent good form with a convincing win over Gomersal after some quality batting, accurate spin bowling and several outstanding catches.
On a good looking pitch, protected mid week by the brand new mobile covers, Slator and Bennett built a sound base for a big score with Slator compiling a quality innings of a 112 containing fourteen boundaries. Slator’s innings was a mixture of careful defence and crisp stroke play, ideal batsmanship, very well played. Hettiwatte (40) helped adding a 70 run partnership before Chopra made an immediate impact with an innings of daring and thrilling stroke play. Jacques Allen also played a part with an eight ball innings of 22 not out.
At 12 for 3, the job looked a goodun but Fletcher and Gorrod had other ideas, scoring rapidly in a whirlwind display, 116 runs before the introduction of spin proved successful. With the field set far and wide, Chopra enticed a huge straight drive from Fletcher and Sabir, running to his right, took a splendid catch to change the game, very cool. Heptinstall (4 for 47) and Chopra (3 for 35) then ran through the order with aid of some spectacular catches, much to the pleasure of a decent crowd. Gorrod’s fine innings came to end stumped for 91 (9x4 & 3x6), Congs taking full points.
A good sporting game played with skill and energy, a pleasure to watch.