2009 First XI
Pudsey Congs v Hanging Heaton
At the Britannia Ground
Saturday September 12th, 2009
Match Ball Sponsor – David Carr
Match report by MB Knight
A vintage innings by Matthew Doidge brought the curtain down on the 2009 season in winning style and ended a magnificent decade in the Congs history under their inspirational leader. Rarely over the years has the skipper been out of the news for his exploits on and off the field as he led from the front and Saturday’s clash against relegation doomed Hanging Heaton was no exception as he pulled and smashed his way to an unbeaten half century to help seal the visitors fate. Five consecutive Bradford League titles, Priestley Cup winners on four occasions and an equal number of Yorkshire Championships, with the added success as National Indoor Champions at Lords under his leadership will forever stand the test of time.
Batting first “on one of the best days of the season” Doidge’s knock took the game out of the reach of the Bennett Lane side after Andy Siddall (67) and Andrew Bairstow (40) had set the pace. The visitors were left chasing 249 to win which was always going to be a huge task after struggling so much throughout the season.
The ever reliable Mark Bray made the first breakthrough getting rid of both openers with Quasim Sheikh just missing out on his 50 and the seamer ended with the impressive figures of 3 for 36 off his 15 overs. With Bray rested a combination of spin and pace accounted for the rest of the wickets to go down with Naveed taking 4 for 63 and James Middlebrook 2 for 42 as the middle and lower order were removed and Hanging Heaton’s challenge faded, leaving Congs comfortably in fourth position in the league just ahead of two of their fiercest rivals.
So, said by many respected figures in the game, to have captained the best Bradford League side of all time, the skipper can be rightly proud of his achievement and of those players who have represented the club along the way. Four of those players in the record equalling title success played alongside Matt Doidge in every game:- Gary Brook, Andy Bethel, Neil Gill and Babar Butt.
And it is said of Doidge:
He didn’t talk the talk
He walked the walk
And his white shirted mates followed
Pudsey Congs 248-6 (50 overs) (Andy Siddall 67, Matthew Doidge 65no, Andrew Bairstow 40)
Hanging Heaton 190 all out (48 overs) (Mohammad Naveed 4-63, Mark Bray 3-36)
Pudsey Congs (20 pts) beat Hanging Heaton (6 pts) by 58 runs
Bradford & Bingley v Pudsey Congs
At Wagon Lane
Sunday September 6th, 2009
Match Ball Sponsor – Exeeco Ltd
Match report by Ralph Middlebrook
Pudsey Congs’ fragile batting completed a hat trick of defeats when chasing scores in the 140’s. Naveed and Bray were economical on a very bowler friendly pitch but with Simon Davies fighting his way to 32 and Matthew Duce timing the ball beautifully for his 38 the three Congs spinners could not dislodge the stubborn Bingley batters as the home side closed on 148 for 8 – mind you 3 dropped catches didn’t help the cause.
After the interval Siddall, Bray and Butt soon perished to Briggs but Middlebrook stood firm and hopes rose with Bairstow and Roberts but it was not to be. Middlebrook, on 51, mistimed a short ball to mid wicket and Batty on his old “home” ground hit 13 but it was another disappointing day for Congs supporters.
Bradford & Bingley 148-8 (50 overs) (Matthew Duce 38, Simon Davies 32, Mohammad Naveed 3-30)
Pudsey Congs 128 all out (43 overs) (James Middlebrook 51, Will Briggs 4-36, Matthew Cockshott 3-36)
Bradford & Bingley (16 pts) beat Pudsey Congs (5 pts) by 20 runs
Farsley v Pudsey Congs
At Red Lane
Saturday September 5th, 2009
Match Ball Sponsor – Glen & Angela Duffield
Match report by MB Knight
Following the heavy defeat at Baildon two weeks ago, the Congs were made to suffer again on their travels when they came badly unstuck against lowly Farsley at Red Lane . The home side completed a unique double after beating the Congs at the semi-final stage of the Sovereign Health Care Priestley Cup in July. Saturday’s win gave them the satisfaction of a long awaited victory in the league which goes back over 20 years. Very little can be said about Saturday’s poor performance which was a carbon copy of the last away game at Jenny Lane with only two batsmen making it into double figures replying to a very modest total of 147 by the home side.
The spin combination of Jeremy Batty (4 for 50) and Glenn Roberts (3 for 34) were the main wicket takers as they have been for most of the season in which there have been so many highs and lows.
Next Saturday’s finale against Hanging Heaton is still important to both teams with the visitors desperate to avoid the drop and the Congs needing to end on a high in a top four spot.
Farsley 147-8 (50 overs) (Harry Anderson 58, Jeremy Batty 4-50, Glenn Roberts 3-34)
Pudsey Congs 81 all out (33.3 overs) (Lorenzo Inghram 6-31, James Lee 3-24)
Farsley 16 (pts) beat Pudsey Congs (4 pts) by 66 runs
Pudsey Congs v Gomersal
At the Britannia Ground
Saturday August 29th, 2009
Match Ball Sponsor – Jonathan L Smith
Match report not available
Pudsey Congs 255-5 (50 overs) (James Middlebrook 101no, Matthew Doidge 73)
Gomersal 228-6 (50 overs) (Shahzaib Khan 81, Gulsheraz Ahmed 69, Glenn Roberts 3-44)
Pudsey Congs (18 pts) beat Gomersal (6 pts) by 27 runs
Baildon v Pudsey Congs
At Jenny Lane
Saturday August 22nd, 2009
Match Ball Sponsor – Cliff Bales
Match report by MB Knight
The Congs came a poor second best in the top of the table clash against Baildon at Jenny Lane on Saturday and their slender hope of another tilt at winning the Division 1 title again were blown away in dramatic style.
Having been set a modest total to chase the experienced quartet of top order batsmen went down like the proverbial pack of cards which left the Congs with a mountain to climb when it should have been just a molehill.
Only the skipper Matthew Doidge and veteran Babar Butt showed any resilience against a fired up Baildon outfit and when these two departed any chance of victory went with them. Both looked solid and in control after what had gone on earlier until the captain got what appeared to be a poor decision. Butt followed soon after when he was left stranded way down the wicket but ended the day as the side’s top scorer and the only Congs player to reach double figures.
After choosing to bat first the home side were restricted to 148 for 9 on an “iffy” wicket with the Congs shedding a few soft runs at each end of the innings which made their task just that little bit harder.
So Baildon sent the Congs packing again but Matthew Doidge’s side will still have a say in who wins the title and who is relegated with closing fixtures against high flying Bradford & Bingley at Waggon Lane and relegation haunted Farsley at Red Lane followed by bottom club Hanging Heaton visiting the Britannia Ground on the final day of the season.
Baildon 148-9 (50 overs) (Mohammad Naveed 3-35, Richard Pyrah 3-50)
Pudsey Congs 68 all out (35 overs) (Babar Butt 34, Andy Walker 4-27)
Baildon (16 pts) beat Pudsey Congs (4 pts) by 80 runs
East Bierley v Pudsey Congs
At South View Road
Saturday August 15th, 2009
Match Ball Sponsor – Exeeco Ltd
Match report by RW Middlebrook
A Pudsey Congs team containing 8 players who have played First Class cricket battled bravely against the weather conditions at East Bierley. A delayed start decreed a 43 over fixture and when play did get under way Naveed soon ripped out Simpson and Wood with stumps cartwheeling in the fastest spell of bowling this correspondent has seen in league cricket for some time. A spirited East Bierley side fought back with Goddard (after surviving a confident LBW appeal first ball) playing with calm assurance for 104, ably supported by Rennison (20) and then Hamilton who scored 52 in 38 balls with 4 boundaries and 3 maximums. Congs felt that 209 was certainly achievable but our bowlers had suffered a little with Naveed and Batty being the pick of the bunch.
In gloomy conditions Pyrah and Middlebrook – after the early departure of Gill – thrashed their way to a partnership of 69 despite 3 interruptions for rain. Alas both perished to neat catches by Anderson at long on. Azhar and skipper Hutchison bowled with heart and skill and although Bairstow played an attractive innings for his 28, Congs were up against it as rain intervened again. After the restart Ahmed and Doidge endeavoured to press on but after the setting sun delayed proceedings for 30 minutes, the Captain and Roberts played carefully for the draw and the extra batting point for 150 runs. Batty displayed an immaculate model forward defensive shot throughout the last over as scoring 210 in just 25 overs proved to much to ask and the Congs’ 5th rain affected match of the season ended in disappointment at 8.10 pm.
East Bierley 209-5 (43 overs) (Lee Goddard 104no, Mohammad Naveed 3-46)
Pudsey Congs 162-7 (23 overs) (Mohammad Azharullah 5-61)
20 overs lost to rain
East Bierley 9 pts, Pudsey Congs 6 pts
Pudsey Congs v Pudsey St Lawrence
At the Britannia Ground
Saturday August 8th, 2009
Match Ball Sponsor – Tony Booth
Match report by MB Knight
Two of the Bradford League’s best finishers, Matthew Doidge (46) and Glenn Roberts (46), helped the Congs to claim victory against local rivals and fellow title challengers Pudsey St. Lawrence at the Britannia on Saturday.
Coming together after half the side were gone for just over 100, the two experienced all-rounders put on 94 to seal the win which keeps the Congs well in contention on the fringe of the title race in fifth place. The ever reliable Mark Gill (50) was the other main run getter as the home side eased home with four wickets to spare chasing a target of 208.
For the Tofts Road side who had chosen to bat first, opener Mark Robertshaw (87) and Chris Marsden (47) were the main contributors in a fairly modest total of 207 but they both perished when looking well set and aiming to set Congs a much larger scoreline to chase. Mohammed Naveed continued his fine form since his arrival and finished with 4 for 72 after striking early to get rid of Alex Stead in the first over. All the other wickets were shared amongst the rest of the attack who were without the injured Jeremy Batty. They all claimed one wicket apiece to keep a grip on things and stifle any late run charge to set up a valuable win.
Pudsey St Lawrence 207-7 (50 overs) (Mark Robertshaw 87, Mohammed Naveed 4-72)
Pudsey Congs 211-6 (49.1 overs) (Mark Gill 50, Matthew Doidge 46, Glenn Roberts 40)
Pudsey Congs (17 pts) beat Pudsey St Lawrence (7 pts) by 4 wkts
Woodlands v Pudsey Congs
At Albert Terrace
Saturday August 1st, 2009
Match Ball Sponsor – Tony Gunson
Match abandoned
Woodlands 2pts, Pudsey Congs 2pts
Hanging Heaton v Pudsey Congs
At Bennett Lane
Sunday July 26th, 2009
Match Ball Sponsor – Chris Kippax
Pudsey Congs 215-6 dec (45 overs) (Matthew Doidge 78no, Andrew Bairstow 37)
Match abandoned
Hanging Heaton 5 pts, Pudsey Congs 6 pts
Pudsey Congs v Saltaire
At the Britannia Ground
Saturday July 25th, 2009
Match Ball Sponsor – Eric Thompson
Match report by MB Knight
The Congs got away to the best possible start defending a modest total against Saltaire at the Britannia Ground on Saturday. With the heat rising at the top of the table Matthew Doidge’s team needed to keep up the pressure on the top four going into the latter stages of the season with some important games to come over the next three weeks, which will ultimately decide who tops the table in 2009.
Chasing 182 to win, the visitors were in trouble from the off when Naveed had Nadeem Mohammed caught behind with only his second delivery. Opener Hicks and the experienced Javid Umarji defied any further progress until the Congs turned to spin. Left armer Glenn Roberts did the damage with successive deliveries when he got rid of Umarji (21) and then trapped Wasim Munawar (0) LBW without any addition to the total. Probing away at the other end Jeremy Batty finally removed the defiant Hicks (25) leaving Saltaire in real trouble, trailing at 50 for 5. A further change in the attack ended the visitor’s challenge when Najjad Ahmed had a twin success to get rid of Usman Arshad (12) and Tim Linley without scoring. Mark Bray completed the rout with all the bowlers sharing in the success barring the unlucky Richard Pyrah whose 8 overs cost only 8 runs.
Earlier after Matthew Doidge had won the toss and chosen to bat the Congs overcame the early dismissal of Andy Siddall (4) with a century (104) partnership by Richard Pyrah and Uzair Mahomed. Pyrah (55) went to his fifty in style and an equally classy knock by Uzair (52) carried him past the fifty mark. After they departed the Congs fell short of the 200 target when Linley returned to the attack with only Matthew Doidge (27) reaching double figures, but in spite of the aggression by the Surrey paceman the Congs total proved too much for the visitors.
Pudsey Congs 181-9 (50 overs) (Richard Pyrah 55, Uzair Mahomed 52)
Saltaire 107 all out (44 overs) (Glenn Roberts 3-16)
Pudsey Congs (18 pts) beat Saltaire (4pts) by 74 runs
Manningham Mills v Pudsey Congs
At Scotchman Road
Wednesday July 15th, 2009
Pudsey Congs 135-2 (18 overs) (James Bragg 57no, Callum Oliver 42)
Manningham Mills 56-2 (8 overs) (Adil Islam (31)
Rain – after 8 overs Pudsey Congs 48-0
Manningham Mills (4 pts) beat Pudsey Congs (0 pts) by 8 runs
Pudsey Congs v Yeadon
At the Britannia Ground
Saturday July 11th, 2009
Match Ball Sponsor – Peter Marsh
Match report by MB Knight
A Man of the Match performance from Richard Pyrah enabled the Congs to cruise to an emphatic victory in spectacular fashion against high flying Yeadon at the Britannia Ground. The Yorkshire Colt all-rounder was in fine fettle early on with the ball taking 3 for 35 in a lively opening burst and when the Congs replied chasing a lowly 128 to win, Pyrah (68) did it with the bat crashing 16 fours before popping up an easy chance to Grant Soames off the bowling of Paul Machell with victory in sight. Earlier the visitors were given a testing time by the Congs’ hostile pace attack and were left reeling at 37 for 5 before a rearguard action from Danny Shuffe (46) – Yeadon’s top scorer, aided by useful contributions from Soames (19) and all-rounder Tom Johnson (18) before all three were ousted by the spin combination of Glenn Roberts (2 for 12) and Jeremy Batty (1 for 28). Mohammed Naveed was the other successful bowler ending with 3 for 23, helped by a spectacular catch by wicket keeper Andy Bairstow to remove James Todd for 6, and the Pakistan paceman was a real handful all afternoon.
When the Congs replied it was boundaries galore with the ball sent racing to the ropes on no fewer than 28 occasions. All the visiting bowlers were given a severe roasting with Pyrah the main destroyer well supported by Andy Siddall (17) and the classy Uzair Mahomed (21). Andrew Bairstow and Matthew Doidge were at the crease when Congs completed a superb afternoon and now the league’s top four may sit up and take notice.
Yeadon 127 all out (38.2 overs) (Mohammad Naveed 3-23, Richard Pyrah 3-35)
Pudsey Congs 128-3 (20.4 overs) (Richard Pyrah 68)
Pudsey Congs (16 pts) beat Yeadon (2 pts) by 7 wkts
Pudsey Congs v Idle
At the Britannia Ground
Wednesday July 8th, 2009
Match report by Glen Duffield
Pudsey Congs entertained Idle at the Britannia Ground this past Wednesday night in hopes of securing third place in Group One of the Dyson Insulations twenty/20 competition. Idle were put into bat first and they were restricted to 99 runs with some fine bowling from the Congs, the highlight of which, was a hat-trick for our overseas fast bowler Mohammed Naved. Mohammed finished the day with 4 wickets but he was not alone as Josh Purser also scooped 4 with a fine bowling display. In response, the Congs opening partnership of Bragg and Cockin gained almost half the runs needed with Bragg getting a knock of 22. The Congs ran out easy winners with Babar Butt making 42 not out and Imran Ahmed (29no), thus propelling the Congs to a comfortable seven-wicket win.
Idle 99 all out
Pudsey Congs 100-3
Pudsey Congs (4 pts) beat Idle (0 pts) by 7 wkts
Pudsey St Lawrence v Pudsey Congs
At Tofts Road
Sunday July 5th, 2009
Pudsey St Lawrence 136-4 (Mark Robertshaw 47no)
Pudsey Congs 132-4 (Callum Oliver 57no, Ashley Slater 32no)
Pudsey St Lawrence (4 pts) beat Pudsey Congs (0 pts) by 4 runs
Cleckheaton v Pudsey Congs
At Moorend
Saturday July 4th, 2009
Match Ball Sponsor – Exeeco Ltd
Match report by RW Middlebrook
A full strength side played with skill and perseverance to overcome Cleckheaton at Moor End in a hard fought competitive match. Ian Wardlaw and John Wood bowled with pace, movement and bounce on a damp pitch reducing Congs to 14 for 3. Adam Patel and Uzair Mahomed restarted the innings with a partnership of 33 before Andrew Bairstow immediately set about a big innings timing elegant shots all around the wicket. Finally skying a catch after 12 boundaries and 3 sixes in his 83. Captain Matthew Doidge played a smart understated innings before being unluckily run out. Congs closed on 199 missing out on maximum batting points.
Richard Pyrah and Mohammed Naveed both started with accurate hostile spells with Naveed removing Asif Khan and Captain Wood. Surprise bowler Andy Siddall claimed two wickets with the aid of superb catches by wicket keeper Mark Gill, who produced an immaculate display throughout the innings. Josh Tingle removed master batter Neil Nicholson and for once batty and Roberts were not the main force as Naveed returned to claim 3 late wickets to finish with 5 for 28. A good overall team performance.
Pudsey Congs 199 all out (48.1 overs) (Andrew Bairstow 83, John Wood 3-45, Ian Wardlaw 3-59)
Cleckheaton 166 all out (Mohammad Naved 5-28)
Pudsey Congs (18 pts) beat Cleckheaton (7 pts) by 33 runs
Pudsey Congs v Farsley
At the Britannia Ground
Sunday June 28th, 2009
Match report by Glen Duffield
Pudsey Congs hosted Farsley in the sixth round of the Dyson Insulations Twenty/20 Cup this past Sunday. It was a battle for the all important second qualifying sport in Group One. Looking to avenge the week 1 loss to Farsley, the Congs batted first on a fine wicket with Adam Patel scoring a rasping 72 before being clean bowled by G Phillips. Unfortunately the rest of the Congs line up could not muster a batter in double digits and they were all out for 113. In response, overseas star Lorenzo Inghram made 79 not out as Farsley overhauled the Congs score reaching 114 for 1, a comprehensive 9 wicket victory.
Congs now sit third in group one, 7 points out of a qualifying position. Next up for the Congs in this competition is a journey to Tofts Road to take on Pudsey St Lawrence on Sunday July 5th with a start time of 3.00pm
Manningham Mills v Pudsey Congs
At Scotchman Road
Saturday June 27th, 2009
Match Ball Sponsor – Bargain Booze, Meanwood
Match report
After well documented immigration frustrations, Congs opening bowler Mohammed Naveed finally arrived from Pakistan on Friday afternoon just in time to play and qualify for the second half of the season. Batting first the Congs openers Mark Gill and Andy Siddall pushed the score to 70 before Siddall was out just 2 short of a deserved half century. Gill’s departure 19 runs later brought together Richard Pyrah and Adam Patel who took the game to the home bowling attack with a partnership of 153 before Patel was out for 63. Uzair Mahomed entered the fray and a final flourish saw Congs finish in 265 for 4 with Pyrah 89 not out off just 91 balls.
When Congs took to the field, the Manningham openers Amjid Hussain and keeper Shahban Raheem batted steadily putting on 65 for the first wicket. Mohammed Naveed opened the bowling with Pyrah but had little luck and it was with the introduction of the “spin twins” Jeremy Batty and Glenn Roberts that Congs took control of the game. Each took 4 wickets (Batty 4 for 62 and Roberts 4 for 50) as the Manningham middle order were not allowed to capitalise on their start as Congs had done. A comfortable 20 point victory seemed inevitable but a 9th wicket unbroken partnership of 80 by Khurram Maqsood and Zeeshan Qasim ensured the Congs worked hard for their victory but Manningham were always behind the clock and eventually fell 18 runs short when their overs ran out.
Pudsey Congs 265-4 (50 overs) (Richard Pyrah 89no, Adam Patel 63, Andy Siddall 48)
Manningham Mills 247-8 (50 overs) (Glenn Roberts 4-50, Jeremy Batty 4-62)
Pudsey Congs (19 pts) beat Manningham Mills (7 pts) by 18 runs
Farsley v Pudsey Congs
Sovereign Healthcare Priestley Cup Third Round
At Red Lane
Sunday June 21st, 2009
Match Ball Sponsor – N/A
Match report by Derrick Reason
On a warm sunny Sunday afternoon, ideal cricket weather, a large crowd watched Farsley defeat Congs with a last wicket stand of 73 to reach the semi-finals of the Sovereign Health Care Priestley Cup, their first victory over Congs since we joined the league.
Congs had four changes to their team from Saturday due to non availability, injuries and cup-tied players. We were asked to bat on what looked like a very good wicket. Young Callum Oliver opened the batting for the first time in the First X1 with Andy Siddall, but the Congs were soon in trouble and lost 2 quick wickets to the bowling of Henry. A stand of 75 between Oliver and Patel got them back in contention before Patel departed for a very good 47. A middle order collapse then occurred again with some poor shots, before Ahmed with a quickfire 23, boosted the late order. Oliver who had opened the innings was eighth out for an excellent 55, his maiden first team 50. Congs closed on 181 for 9 with Farsley’s best bowlers being Henry 3 for 28 and Greaves 3 for 38.
Farsley started their innings fairly confidently but lost the early wicket of Ingram, their overseas player. A stand of 45 between Phillips and Harpal kept Farsley up with the run rate before skipper Doidge decided to bowl – something he does not do often enough. He went on to take 4 for 36 in his 9 overs and was well supported by Bray (2 for 34) to put Congs right back in the game as Farsley were then 99 for 8. Then in stepped Yorkshire Colt James Lee who played some very unusual and difficult shots to put Farsley in the driving seat. Congs bowlers had no answer to his technique, well supported by Thornton 14no, Lee finished with the games top score of 71no and won the game for Farsley with 3 overs to spare. A well deserved victory and good luck to Farsley in the semi-finals.
Just a word for the Farsley groundsman. The outfield and square looked a picture, the best we have seen for some years – well done.
Pudsey Congs 181-9 (50 overs) (Callum Oliver 55, Adam Patel 47)
Farsley 184-9 (49overs) (James Lee 74no, Gareth Phillips 34, Matthew Doidge 4-36)
Farsley beat Pudsey Congs by 1 wkt
Pudsey Congs v Farsley
At the Britannia Ground
Saturday June 20th, 2009
Match Ball Sponsor – Harley, Bailey & Lewsley
Match report by Ralph Middlebrook
In front of a sparse crowd, the Congs defeated Farsley thanks to a 3 pronged spin attack of Roberts, Batty and Middlebrook. The platform for success in a total of 235 for 7, was an excellent innings from Andy Siddall who played with skill patience and littered his score of 93 with several glittering strokes. Well supported by a batting line up who played around Siddall, especially Adam Patel, who like Siddall, perished out chasing runs in the last few overs. The Farsley attack was steady throughout and the fielding standards hardly faltered.
Once again Congs faced an opening barrage from the opposition with Ingram and Singh blasting their way to 41 in 5 overs. Captain Doidge introduced our ace spinners, Roberts and Batty, and they immediately reduced the scoring rate with dramatic effect and they began chipping away with wickets. Phillips and Metcalfe were confident and assured in a stand of 77 until Phillips perished caught Batty bowled Roberts for a gritty 50. Roberts then took the prize wicket of Metcalfe for 32 and the rest of the batting folded in the face of off spin from Batty and Middlebrook. Batty finishing with 5 for 53 and the Congs reward was 20 points, excellent.
Pudsey Congs 237-5 (50 overs) (Andy Siddall 93, Adam Patel 38)
Farsley 181 all out (48 overs) (Gareth Phillips 50, Jeremy Batty 5-53)
Pudsey Congs (20 pts) beat Farsley (5 pts) by 56 runs
Pudsey Congs v Bradford & Bingley
At the Britannia Ground
Sunday June 14th, 2009
Match Ball Sponsor – Bill Taylor, Swinnow Primary School
Match report by Ralph Middlebrook
Congs were outplayed by Bradford & Bingley in Sunday’s encounter at Intake Road . Bowlers McCarthy and Briggs soon had our fragile batting line up under pressure. Only Andrew Bairstow in a typically belligerent innings offered any resistance with 11 boundaries in his 65 not out. James Bragg on his first team debut, held out well but Richard McCarthy had the last laugh taking 5 for 24.
When Bradford & Bingley began their reply Mark Bray struck early and Josh Tingle continued his improvement with an impressive spell but former Congs player Matthew Duce batted with skill and patience finishing on 72 not out scoring13 boundaries to all sides of the ground and 1 six. Congs were unable to even contain him and Bradford and Bingley ran out worthy winners.
Pudsey Congs 135all out (38 overs) (Andrew Bairstow 65no, Richard McCarthy 5-24)
Bradford & Bingley 138-4 (Matthew Duce 72no)
Bradford & Bingley (16 pts) beat Pudsey Congs (3 pts) by 6 wkts
Gomersal v Pudsey Congs
At Oxford Road
Saturday June 13th, 2009
Match Ball Sponsor – Kippax Willow
Match report by Ralph Middlebrook
Congs came good at Gomersal when captain Matthew Doidge struck two consecutive 6’s in the penultimate over to win a very closely fought match. On a slow pitch batters needed to take care and Richard Gould and Shahzaib Khan did just that with 39 and 58 respectively. Once again the spin twins, Roberts and Batty were among the wickets (2 each) but a late flourish from Matt Garside and Rob Burton boosted the score.
For Congs, Mark Gill started well but 3 wickets fell with tame shots to extra cover – poor footwork. Uzair Mahomed and Babar Butt stabilised matters, but Platt and Greenwood bowled well and with the Congs batters finding the fielders with regularity the game was slipping away. Glenn Roberts provided impetus with a well struck 29 before falling LBW. It was then down to Doidge, ably assisted by Jeremy Batty, to force the pace. Roberts started the chase – Doidge magnificently ended it reaching his 50 with his 3rd decisive 6.
Gomersal could not believe it. I suspect that many Congs supporters could not believe it either.
Gomersal 215-7 (50 overs) (Shahzaib Khan 58, Richard Gould 39)
Pudsey Congs 217-7 (49 overs) (Matthew Doidge 52no, Uzair Mahomed 33, Babar Butt 32)
Pudsey Congs (17 pts) beat Gomersal (7 pts) by 3 wkts
Pudsey Congs v Manningham Mills
At the Britannia Ground
Wednesday June 10th, 2009
Match report by Josh Purser
Pudsey Congs hosted Manningham Mills in a match reduced to 16 overs each due to a delayed start. Rain began to fall as Manningham Mills batted first on a slow wicket which the openers found hard to score on. A tight opening spell of bowling saw Callum Oliver take the first wicket. The bowling was supported by good fielding as Uzair Mahomed ran-out Manningham’s number 3 with a direct hit. Manningham’s Amjad Husian and overseas Heamamt Kumar pushed the run rate up with 35 and 59 respectively in a very useful partnership. With rain falling more heavily fielding became increasingly difficult for the Congs side. Four more wickets fell in the later overs as Manningham tried to increase the total further. Callum Oliver took two more and Sam Mason and James Galvin chipped in with one each. Manningham Mills finishing on 124 for 6 from 16 overs.
Congs were slow to get going in their innings with opener Imran Ahmed being caught and bowled by Adil Islam early on. Uzair Mahomed joined Callum Oliver in the middle and both began to score more freely, Uzair hitting a huge six over the changing rooms. The partnership was broken when Callum was bowled by Nadeen Mumtaz on 21. Captain Adam Patel carried on where Callum left off and Uzair reached his 50 before being run-out after a mix up between the two batsmen. James Lindley-Dawe batted well and hit a quick fire 25 as he and Adam reached the target with 8 balls remaining. This was another good win for Congs up against nearly a full strength Manningham Mills side and in difficult conditions.
Manningham Mills 124-6 – H. Kumar 59, A. Husian 35, C. Oliver 3-17
Pudsey Congs 126-3 (14.4 overs) – U. Mahomed 50
Pudsey Congs (4 pts) beat Manningham Mills (0 pts) by 7 wkts
Idle v Pudsey Congs
At Cavendish Road
Sunday June 7th, 2009
Match report by Ralph Middlebrook
In an enjoyable fixture played in a good spirit Congs managed to overcome Idle. Thanks to captain Adam Patel, opening partner Callum Oliver (28) , Imran Ahmed (16) and Gary Lewsley (20), Congs reached 106 for 6.
It was in the field where the young Congs side shone. Keeper Callum Murgatroyd with 2 victims, Nathan Dalton and Jamie Allan were very active and supported by the quality bowling of Liam Stanhope, Oliver, Ahmed and Simon Raistrick. “Young” Lewsley chipped in with 2 wickets, Adam Patrick achieved bounce and Dalton took the final wicket for Congs to run out winners by 30 runs.
Well done lads.
Pudsey Congs 112-7 (20 overs)
Idle 76-7 (20 overs)
Pudsey Congs (4 pts) beat Idle (0 pts) by 36 runs
Pudsey Congs v Baildon
At the Britannia Ground
Saturday June 6th, 2009
Match Ball Sponsor – Andrea David-Booth
Match report by MB Knight
Not for the first time over recent seasons, Baildon managed to put the skids under the Congs. They twice batted their way back into the game to finally come out on top at the Britannia.
Batting first, Tabbi Bhatti (44) and skipper Ian Philliskirk (41) got the visitors away to a solid start after the early departure of opener Jonny Reynolds for 7 – bowled by Pyrah. They took the total into the nineties before being parted with Glenn Roberts removing Philliskirk with the first of three catches by Andrew Bairstow. With Jeremy Batty plugging away at the other end, the Congs spinners got in amongst the middle order and it was only at the end of their stint that Baildon got off the hook with a late flourish leaving the Congs with a target of 186 when 160 looked a more likely score at one stage.
The league leaders continued their dominance of the proceedings with a lightning start when Congs began their reply. Both openers and the fourth wicket pairing of Uzair Mahomed and Andrew Bairstow all went cheaply and it took a defiant stand by Rickard Pyrah (52) and Adam Patel (46) to halt the slide. Their departure and the loss of Matthew Doidge for 4 left the game evenly poised and after a fine performance with the ball our two spinners produced and equally fine display with the bat. Both made a huge contribution and only just fell short when Baildon made their third comeback of the afternoon which proved to be the final say. Glenn Roberts completed a fine match with 27 to add to his five-wicket haul (5 for 40) and Jeremy Batty (14) at the other end played his part to add to his earlier 3 for 45.
Baildon 185-9 (50 overs) (Tabbi Bhatti 44, Glenn Roberts 5-40, Jeremy Batty 3-45)
Pudsey Congs 170 all out (Richard Pyrah 52, Adam Patel 44, Mushtaq Ahmed 4-41)
Baildon 18 (pts) beat Pudsey Congs (6 pts) by 15 runs
Pudsey Congs v East Bierley
At the Britannia Ground
Saturday May 30th, 2009
Match Ball Sponsor – MB Knight & B Wells
Match report by Ralph Middlebrook
In a high quality match played on a pitch favouring spin, East Bierley ran out deserving winners by 38 runs. Gharib Razak set about opening bowlers Tingle and Ahmed in such style he scored his own 50 in just 50 balls. The team score reached 100 in 16 overs as Razak, well supported by Steve Simpson, peppered the boundary hitting fifteen 4’s and a 6 with well struck shots all round the ground. East Bierleygalloped along until Glenn Roberts and Jeremy Batty put the brakes on in a joint spell of 30 overs 3 for 81. Backed up by clean, fast fielding and throwing the standard was a great advert for Bradford League cricket. Andy Siddall chipped in with a good spell of 2 for 40 and despite Razak’s excellent 126, East Bierley were disappointed to score no more than 225.
Siddall, promoted to opener, batted with calm assurance against the pace of Hutchison and Azhar Ullah but the introduction of spinners Luke Jarvis (4 for 25) and Kez Ahmed (2 for 63) changed all that with Siddall, Uzair Mahomed and Andrew Bairstow getting good starts but unable to produce the match winning innings. The rest of the Congs batting was undistinguished with Callum Oliver and Josh Tingle delaying East Bierley their victory until the 49th over. The Congs batting must improve.
East Bierley 225-8 (50 overs) (Gharib Razak 126, Steve Simpson 32)
Pudsey Congs 187 all out (50 overs) (Andy Siddall 64, Andrew Bairstow 34)
East Bierley 20(pts) beat Pudsey Congs (7pts) by 38 runs
Pudsey St Lawrence v Pudsey Congs
At Tofts Road
Monday May 25th, 2009
Match Ball Sponsor – Exeeco LTD
Match report by MB Knight
A rain-affected game ended a miserable weekend for the Congs when we came up against our local rivals Pudsey St Lawrence at Tofts Road. Chasing a total of 229 to win and with 12 overs lost to rain, the “Britannia Men” found it tough going all afternoon in the poor conditions. Skipper Matthew Doidge (41), Uzair Mahomed (41) and Babar Butt (43) all battled hard and briefly threatened to achieve the required target, but all three perished when looking set. Similarly for the home side Mark Robertshaw, Gareth Clough, Chris Marsden and the experienced Ian Priestley all got into the 30’s with Priestley undefeated on 33. Kasir Maroof was also undefeated with the games top score of 46.
Pudsey St Lawrence 228-5 (50 overs) (Kassir Maroof 46no, Chris Marsden 35)
Pudsey Congs 158-8 (38 overs) (Babar Butt 43, Matthew Doidge 41, Uzair Mahomed 41)
Pudsey St Lawrence (11 pts), Pudsey Congs (6pts)
Pudsey Congs v Woodlands
At the Britannia Ground
Saturday May 23rd, 2009
Match Ball Sponsor – Adrian Carr
Match report by Ralph Middlebrook
Woodlands maintained their hold over the Congs in the league with a 3 wicket victory.
The value of overseas players was emphasized by a superb spell of quick, intelligent bowling by Sarfraz Ahmed – 3 for 17 in 15 great overs. Only Mark Gill and to a degree Babar Butt, showed control over the bowlers and with Ahmed creating pressure Pieter Swanepoel captured 4 victims including Adam Patel, bowled with a beauty which nipped back off a perfect length to clip the top of the middle stump. Andrew Bairstow was unluckily run out at the bowlers end when Swanepoel got a tough from a fierce drive from Mark Gill which sent the stumps cartwheeling. Despite the depth and quality of the Congs batting no other players settled and it was evident that 127 would probably not be enough.
In reply, Mark Bray and Josh Tingle offered early hope although on a good pitch Tingle bowled too full a length and was repeatedly driven. Ishmail Dawood survived two sharp chances off Glenn Roberts and Jeremy Batty. As well as the two spinners performed – Batty with a gem to dismiss Tim Orrell and a magnificent catch by Andy Siddall to send the dangerous Adam Goldthorpe back to the pavilion – Woodlands eased past the Congs total after 36 overs.
A comfortable win for the champions and a disappointing day for the home side.
Pudsey Congs 127 all out (43 overs) (Mark Gill 37, Pieter Swanepoel 4-53, Safraz Ahmed 3-17)
Woodlands 128-7 (35 overs) (Jeremy Batty 4-36)
Woodlands (16pts) beat Pudsey Congs (4pts) by 3 wkts
Pudsey St Lawrence v Pudsey Congs
Sovereign Healthcare Priestley Cup Second Round
At Tofts Road
Sunday May 17th, 2009
Match Ball Sponsor – Mrs Moira Carr
Match report by Glen Duffield
The Congs traveled the short distance to the top end of Pudsey to take on local rivals PSL in the second round of the Sovereign Healthcare Priestley Cup. The Congs were made to bat first on a saturated wicket with no break in sight from mother nature. After 13 overs with the Congs poised on 77-3, the umpires called a halt to the preceedings. With the rain not letting up, a bowl out was staged to determine todays winner. Left arm spinner Glenn Roberts was the hero for the Pudsey Congs. His direct hit gave the holders a 1-0 win as St Lawrence were unable to remove the stumps. Congs will now be in the hat for the third round draw Thursday night at 7.30pm
Pudsey Congs 77-3 (13 overs)
Congs won bowl out 1-0
Pudsey Congs v Cleckheaton
At the Britannia Ground
Saturday May 16th, 2009
Match Ball Sponsor – Paul Lorryman, Fleece Inn
Match report by MB Knight
Honours ended even when Richard Pyrah “making his Congs debut” came head to head with Yorkshire team mate Andrew Gale at the Britannia Ground on Saturday. The weather took its toll and after only two overs against visitors Cleckheaton the covers came on for the first time. When play resumed after an hour had been lost, Gale set about the new look Congs attack and thrashed his way to a rapid 34 runs before coming to grief when Pyrah took a sharp return catch. This turned out to be the highlight of the day as rain returned to finally end proceedings. The slow bowling partnership of Glenn Roberts and Jeremy Batty accounted for the other wickets to fall with the young Nicholson brothers Michael and Ian mustering just 13 runs between them. The Congs ended with only 3 points to show for a mighty effort to get play restarted and have now lost valuable ground on the early league leaders
Cleckheaton 80-3 (28 overs) (Andrew Gale 34)
Match abandoned Pudsey Congs 3pts, Cleckheaton 2pts
Farsley v Pudsey Congs
At Red Lane
Wednesday May 13th, 2009
Match report by Glen Duffield
A unusual looking line up for the Congs made the journey to Red Lane to face Farsley in the inaugural fixture of the Dyson Insulations Twenty-20 Cup. Congs were asked to bat first in the 20 over event and their only 2 first team regulars lead the way. Adam Patel scored a solid 22, followed closely by Stolarski, who made 21 before being clean bowl by man of the match Inghram. The middle part of the order came and went quickly at the crease, the only resistance shown by Imran Ahmed who scored 15 before being caught. The tail end of the order did not trouble the scorer and the Congs finished their allotted 20 overs on 103-9 with Josh Purser and Matt Humpleby left not out. In return, Lorenzo Inghram announced his arrival at Farsley by smashing an unbeaten 75 as they saw out an eight-wicket win after 12.2 overs. A special shout to all the youngsters and seasoned vets who made the trip to Red Lane tonight to represent the Congs in this Competition. Next match for the Congs in this group is Wednesday May 20th v Pudsey St Lawrence at the Britannia.
Pudsey Congs 103-9
Farsley 107-2 (Lorenzo Inghram 75no)
Farsley (4 pts) beat Pudsey Congs (0 pts) by 8 wkts
Saltaire v Pudsey Congs
At Roberts Park
Saturday May 9th, 2009
Match Ball Sponsor – Barry Wilson
Match report by Ralph Middlebrook
Congs had a comfortable victory over league leaders Saltaire at Roberts Park. Batting first Congs returned a total of 246 for 6 with Uzair Mahomed leading the way with an unbeaten 114 which included 11 fours and 2 sixes. Opener Adam Patel contributed an attractive 48 whilst Andrew Bairstow bludgeoned a quick 31.
Three overs were lost through rain but new signing Najad Ahmed struck early taking the first 4 Saltaire wickets. Only Tom Slater provided any resistance with 45. Jeremy Batty (2) and Glenn Roberts (1) took important wickets but Andy Siddall was the surprise package with 3 for 24. Congs ran out easy victors by 157 runs.
Pudsey Congs 246-6dec (45 overs) (Uzair Mahomed 114no, Adam Patel 49, Andrew Bairstow 31)
Saltaire 89 all out (41.1 overs) (Tom Slater 45, Najad Ahmed 4-24, Andy Siddall 3-24)
Pudsey Congs (20 pts) beat Saltaire (3 pts) by 157 runs
Pudsey Congs v Manningham Mills (Home Opener)
At the Britannia Ground
Saturday April 25th, 2009
Match Ball Sponsor – Sam Miller
Match report by Ralph Middlebrook
A controlled bowling performance by the home side on a slow pitch restricted visitors Manningham Mills to 184, although once again Congs did not capture the full bowling points. Josh Tingle maintained his impressive start to the season and spinners Jeremy Batty and Uzair Mahomed took 4 and 2 wickets respectively in their 30 over bowling partnership. Andy Siddall marked his debut for Pudsey with two excellent catches in the deep and at tea Congs were confident.
Four quick wickets dented that confidence, Patel and skipper Doidge in particular receiving excellent deliveries. Mark Gill (83) again unbeaten and the promoted Jeremy Batty (46) created a partnership of 111. Both batters rarely failed to punish any loose deliveries and a comfortable victory ended in the 48th over.
Manningham Mills 184-8 (50 overs) (Amjid Hussain 36, Jeremy Batty 4-60)
Pudsey Congs 184-4 (Mark Gill 83no, Jeremy Batty 46no)
Pudsey Congs (17pts) beat Manningham Mills (5pts) by 6 wkts
Yeadon v Pudsey Congs (Season Opener)
At High Street
Saturday April 18th, 2009
Match Ball Sponsor – Derrick Reason
Match report by MB Knight
Two of the Bradford Leagues most seasoned campaigners led the way as Congs got the new season off to a flying start with a comfortable 6 wicket victory at Yeadon. A fifth wicket partnership of contrasting styles between the powerful Andrew Bairstow (63) and the elegant Mark Gill (56), was enough to see off the home challenge after Adam Patel had gone in the first over for nought, bowled by Lambert. Young Calum Oliver, making his 1st XI debut also went cheaply when a slick piece of fielding left him stranded and saw him run out without scoring. None of the home bowlers really threatened with skipper Grant Soames coming in for some heavy punishment from Bairstow whenever he strayed down the leg side. The Congs bowlers had also been required to work hard for their wickets with the pitch offering very little at this early stage of the season. The ever reliable Glenn Roberts was the main wicket taker ending with 4 for 46 off 15 overs. His spin partner Jeremy Batty collected 2 wickets at a cost of 60 from his 14 overs and young paceman Josh Tingle had an early success on his debut for the club bowling James Pickles for 8. The ex Liversedge quickie looks a fine prospect. As we have come to expect, Mark Bray bowled another tight spell conceding only 20 runs in his 11 overs. His first 5 overs were all maidens “has this ever been achieved on the first day of a season”?
James Todd and Andrew Robertson were joint top scorers for the home side with 30 each before both were beaten by Roberts. Former Pakistan International Faizal Butt (29) also contributed some useful runs early on before being bowled by Batty. The Congs claimed 15 points with their 6 wicket margin and the home side 4 points.
Yeadon 160-7 (50 overs) Andrew Robertson 30, James Todd 30, Faisal Butt 29, Glenn Roberts 4-46
Pudsey Congs 162-4 (35.4 overs) Andrew Bairstow 63no, Mark Gill 56no
Pudsey Congs (15 points) beat Yeadon (4 points) by 6 wkts
Pudsey Congs v Wrenthorpe
At Britannia Ground
Saturday April 12th, 2009
Pre-season friendly
Match report by Ralph Middlebrook
Central Yorkshire League Club Wrenthorpe visited Intake Road for a pre-season fixture on Easter Saturday. Batting first Wrenthorpe totaled 261 for 3 with Gary Fellows scoring 114 and Eric Austin 46 before retiring hurt. All the Congs bowlers enjoyed a run out. Bray, Tingle, Mahomed, Oliver and Purser coming in for some hammer but sticking to their task on a decent pitch with a short boundary. Andrew Bairstow with 51 and Captain Matthew Doidge 34, led the reply with Congs closing on 182 for 6. Mark Bray (32) boosted the score with a late flourish.
An enjoyable day and a useful pipe opener for both teams.