Bradford Junior Under 13’s

Fixture List and Match Reports 2011

Manager: Dom Allen, Assisted by Neil & Matt Humpleby

Match Reports 2011

Courtesy of Dom Allen

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Final League Position Demaine Section = Champions, 41 Points

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THE DAVID BAIRSTOW CUP FINAL

Pudsey Congs v Keighley

at Britannia Ground

Monday August 14th, 2011

Match report by Dom Allen

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The day dawned cloudy but dry and an early visit to the ground in full regalia was required by several members of the squad due to the Under 15s semi final. This did afford those parents the opportunity to relax a little and soak up the early atmosphere but the result did not get the day off to the best of starts.

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As the remainder of the team trickled into the ground, well ahead of schedule, they all looked a picture in their shirts, ties and blazers and their appearance did the club proud. First up, Dom Allen presented each player with a specialist shirt for the final and a cap as a reward for all of their hard work during the season. After they had changed, they were presented with the league trophy and their medals and the proud parents (a great deal of whom had taken up the invitation to dust off their suits) had the opportunity to take photos of the team.

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But at about 1.40pm , the final proper commenced in earnest as Zahid Mahmood proudly strode out to shake hands with Keighley captain Will Rankin and after winning the toss, Mahmood elected to bat. This meant that Congs had batted first in every single one of the 15 games they had played this season, surely some sort of record. The tried and tested pairing of Arbaab Hussain and Joe Baxter opened the innings but calamity. Almost unthinkably, Hussain was bowled in the third over by Dan Scott and Congs were 6-1.

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Certainly, this was not the dominant start the manager had hoped for and a period of consolidation was vital. Jacques Allen came in at No 3 in an attempt to provide that consolidation and with Baxter the pair slowly but surely started to gain Congs a foothold in the match. After 10 overs they had moved the score on to 26-1 and then 70-1 after 20. The manager was not the slightest bit concerned with the scoring rate, so chugging along at 3.5 per over was a huge bonus. With the score on 78 and almost at the point of exhaustion, Allen lobbed up a catch to keeper Weatherall but his job had been done. Sadly he was soon followed by his long time partner Baxter after a disappointing reminder to all youngsters that a call for a run should be based on where the ball has gone and not how hard or well it has been hit. Baxter’s innings and his partnership with Allen had been priceless however; although just how valuable would not become clear until later in the game.

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Congs now slipped a gear as Mustafa Raffique and Will Marshall set about increasing the tempo of the innings and they achieved, unerring success as Marshall fired an unbelievably quickfire 34 off only 17 balls. He made the most of an early let off and bludgeoned the Keighley attack to all parts, taking advantage of an in-out field that had been set for Raffique who had been no slouch at the other end and demonstrated his usual array of forceful strokes combined with beautifully timed pushes that went to the boundary. Unfortunately, right on the cusp of taking the game away from Keighley, the pair departed in quick succession. Both were bowled and both were possibly victims of slight over confidence. This meant an opportunity for the much under-used middle order and they did not disappoint. Adam Slater quickly added eight runs, Zahid Mahmood a brisk 14 and later order henchman Sam Baxter fired a further 10 not out. Congs limped over the line in terms of utilising their overs, showing that whilst many eyebrows may have been raised during the Baxter / Allen partnership (in terms of the scoring rate), it had clearly proved to be an innings saving one. It was especially pleasing however to see everybody contribute to the final total.

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Pudsey Congs 188-9 (J.Baxter 40 ; W.Marshall 34 ; J.Allen 29 ; M.Raffique 29)

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After a fabulous tea, Keighley’s Tom Bradley and Ben Weatherall commenced their attempt to chase down 189. With Daani Ahmed and Jacques Allen opening the bowling, the pair looked assured from ball one and had progressed to 36-0 after 10 overs. Mustafa Raffique and initially Zahid Mahmood still failed to achieve a breakthrough and the Keighley score rose to a disturbing 59-0 off just 14 overs before the introduction of Will Marshall changed the flow. He bowled two maidens on the bounce, split by a Mahmood over that went only for a single. When Mahmood bowled his next over he had Bradley brilliantly caught by Raffique at short cover before going on to claim the prize scalp of Weatherall off the last ball, LBW.

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Although Will Rankin and Callum Holmes added a further 21 for the next wicket, Holmes was bowled second ball for a duck by the combative Marshall . With the score on 98, Allen was reintroduced into the attack and he delivered the massive wicket of Rankin for a brilliant 32, with a well spun and flighted leg break. When Danny Taylor well caught Dan Scott with the score on 102, it appeared that the contest was dying out.

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But credit to Keighley they just will not give up and although they lost Oliver Bellerby in the process, they did move the score on alarmingly to 145 before brilliant fielding from Arbaab Hussain was finished off by a superb flick onto the stumps by Marshall to run out Charlie Hall. Even then, Keighley refused to give in and despite requiring a nigh on impossible 40 from the last two overs, they did manage to score a creditable 21 of them to close on 170-9. This was a tremendous game of cricket, played in a great spirit and by talented kids that above all, actually understand the game. We certainly witnessed an awful lot of future Bradford League cricketers during the afternoon.

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Congratulations go out to all of the Congs players that have served the club so proudly this season. To achieve the double is almost beyond belief and the young guys need to take stock and contemplate what they have achieved; the first side in Pudsey Congs’ illustrious history to do so.

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As a footnote, can I just say a few personal words of thanks. To all of the parents that have supported me and transported the kids to the grounds (usually before I got there!!) I am immensely grateful. To Mick Hirst (my line manager!!) I am eternally grateful. Mick has put up with my whinging and moaning all season and still supported me all the way and for this I am thankful. My thanks also go to Neil Humpleby both for the assistance he has provided with training and the umpiring he has carried out (albeit without a white coat, how dare he). To John Malpass who provides such superb wickets for the kids to play on, thanks so much John, there is no wonder they bat so well when you provide them with roads like those. I should also say a huge thank you to Glen in Canada, for the speed and efficiency with which he gets these ridiculous reports online.

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I would like to offer my heartfelt commiserations to Keighley, to David Hall and Mr Rankin (father of future star Will), their conduct was impeccable on Sunday and whilst our relationship did not get off to the best of starts, they were a pleasure to play against and Keighley should be acknowledged as a champion side in their own right for the magnificent season they’ve had.

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Finally, as I said to my lads in the changing rooms afterwards, it is impossible to put into words how proud you all have made me this year. A group like you lot comes around once a flood and I feel immensely humbled and privileged to have been asked to be your manager, in fact, I’ve often felt like I’ve had 11 sons this year. I hope you can all forgive me for the many occasions I’ve lost my rag, shouted and bawled and of course not given some people as much of a go as they would have liked. I can only assure you I have tried my best but I’ve always put the team first and that is how it must be.

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Keighley 170-9 (Z.Mahmood 2-27 ; J.Allen 2-43)

Pudsey Congs won by 18 runs

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 Pudsey Congs v Saltaire

at Britannia Ground

Thursday July 28th, 2011

Match report by Dom Allen

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After the victory at Keighley the previous week, Congs knew that they had to win this evening to secure the league title they had worked so desperately hard to achieve all season. Against a mid table side, on their own track and on a warm day surely nothing could go wrong from here, could it? Arbaab Hussain lost the toss but Saltaire decided to field in any event and he strode to the middle with Tom Colley. Tight bowling from Saltaire and a couple of missed chances meant that Pudsey did not get off their usual assured or quick start but Hussain made the most of his let offs to retire on 33, albeit his slowest of the campaign, coming from as many balls. Colley was the picture of solidity at the other end but was playing more of an anchor role this week, pushing the singles and rotating the strike.

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When Hussain did retire, Joe Baxter arrived in the middle to make a deceptively quick and excellent 30 from only 21 balls. If you are an opposition bowler you would be well advised to keep the ball away from his pads as he is totally merciless on anything drifting down leg side and invariably he gets such deliveries away for four. With only five overs to go, Colley (having executed his role to perfection) was retired also, in order to make way for the hitting prowess of Mustafa Raffique and Will Marshall. Although Marshall smashed his first ball for four, he did depart caught behind off his third and Raffique was joined by Jacques Allen. The pair added an unbroken 48 in the four overs remaining (a phenomenal effort), Raffique scoring 28 not out from just 16 balls and Allen 15 not out from nine.

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Pudsey Congs 156-1 (A.Hussain 33 ret ; J.Baxter 30 ret ; M.Raffique 28 not out)

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But how stupid, to assume that Congs would get over the finishing line quite so easily, without there being a final twist in the tale. Almost as Saltaire bowled their final delivery, small droplets begun to appear from an ever darkening sky and a serious sense that this game might be called off enveloped the ground. The situation was not helped by an interminable half time delay that was never explained but by the time Saltaire arrived in the middle, the rain was falling quite steadily. Play did get underway however and Zahid Mahmood produced an absolute jaffa, second ball, that would have removed a great many adult cricketers and Saltaire were 0-1.

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Still the rain increased in tempo and there were many on the ground who felt it was heartbreak time and that the title could be snatched from Congs’ grasp in the cruellest and most undeserving of ways. But it did relent sufficiently to allow play to continue and Mahmood bowled his best spell of the season (2-12) with Daani Ahmed picking up 0-3 at the other end. Jacques Allen and Mustafa Raffique continued, racing through the overs at breakneck speed, before Sam Baxter, Danny Taylor, Tom Colley and Arbaab Hussain completed the 20 overs and the match in steady and saturating rain.

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Our heartfelt thanks go out to Saltaire for agreeing to complete the game and recognising the importance of doing so. The relief was palpable and even at the end, Dom Allen miscounted the number of deliveries (probably as a result of the tension and conditions) and thought that Saltaire had decided to relinquish the final ball when in fact it had already been bowled. The state of his attire and white shirt in particular remained a source of amusement to the masses long into the night.

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And so the season ended to the collective sound of huge sighs of relief that the best team in the competition had not been robbed of their rightful title by the weather. They had been playing catch up ever since that first game of the season when the match versus Manningham Mills was called off whilst the other teams played in the rain. With this issue in mind, it is high time that the league executive re-examine the way that abandoned matches are treated because all too often, the weather is playing as great a part in the destination of the title as the talent of the players.

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But a word for this special collection of youngsters that don’t come around all that often. As referred to earlier, to come from behind and always be chasing other teams takes a special level of character. Right into this last game, their knowledge and understanding was incredible, appreciating without having to be told that they must get through their overs so quickly (and to bowl 20 overs in 45 minutes is just extraordinary). And it is this type of attribute which has set the 2011 Pudsey Congs side apart from, even the best of their opponents this season. It has also made them a joy to work with. The feeling as parents came across from the clubhouse to take photos of the winning side and watch Neil Humpleby douse the champions in champagne will live long into the memory.

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But you can tell that each player knows they have unfinished business. They will return to this ground on Sunday 14 August to slug it out with Keighley once again, the team that have pushed them so hard already this season.

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Saltaire 73-7 (J.Allen 2-8 ; Z.Mahmood 2-12)

Pudsey Congs won by 83 runs

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Keighley v Pudsey Congs

at Lawkholme Lane

Thursday July 21st, 2011

Match report by Dom Allen

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After a week’s worth of worry and stress over the weather, a relatively decent night greeted the players on their arrival at Keighley for a game that was certain to have a bearing on this year’s title. A defeat to Keighley would have meant Congs could not catch them but win and the title dreams would remain alive. Mustafa Raffique won the toss and elected to bat on a green and wet pitch that had taken a lot of water over the previous week. Tom Colley retained his opening berth with Arbaab Hussain and the pair batted with great caution, wary of so many deliveries seeming to stick in the damp wicket. They still managed an opening stand of 35 before a loose cover drive from Hussain was well caught by Rogers and he departed for 22.

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Mustafa Raffique then entered the arena, ahead of the planned No 3, Joe Baxter, because of the solidity of the previous pair. He found the conditions no easier and whilst both he and Colley put together a big partnership, the pair were fighting against natural tendencies all of the time. Despite this, some of the stroke play was phenomenal, both players looking strong off their legs. They managed to reach their big 30s before retiring and left Will Marshall and Zahid Mahmood to attempt the big shots. As a measure of how difficult things were, Marshall managed only 12 from 14 balls before being needlessly run out and allowing Joe Baxter to finally make his appearance in the middle. The score at the end was possibly a little over par but nowhere near enough to make Congs breathe any easier and they were indebted to five penalty runs, awarded when an incoming throw bounced off a carelessly placed helmet.

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Pudsey Congs 121-2 (M.Raffique 31 ret ; T.Colley 30 ret ; A.Hussain 22)

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Dom Allen’s jangling nerves were slightly eased at the end of the second over of the reply when Jacques Allen again removed Eddie Jackson with a spinning delivery but when Callum Holmes started to find the boundary with his favourite leg side shot, Keighley appeared up with the rate. A telling spell of 0-9 from Daani Ahmed off his three overs seemed to suggest the game was heading in Congs favour however and when Tom Colley followed up his batting with 2-10, including the brilliant dismissal of class act Ben Weatherall, Congs were well ahead at the half way point.

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But credit to Keighley, they have not won so many matches this season by any kind of fluke and they do not give an inch. Will Rankin again tormented the Congs fielders and after some ill-disciplined bowling, Keighley were right back in the match needing 40 from the final five overs. Will Marshall stepped up to bowl at this point having, minutes earlier, almost lost several fingers trying to stop a bullet of a shot from Rankin. Marshall ’s bravery was something for all of the spectators to behold though and he turned in figures of 3-9, finally closing Keighley out of the game. No praise is too high for this kid and he has been a brilliant acquisition this season. Danny Taylor served up the last rites and yet again he closed out the match very very effectively, with a great understanding of the game.

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So another nervy win for the young chargers that keeps the title race wide open. Some of the bowling and fielding was below the usual high standards we have come to expect but once again, when push came to shove, the youngsters found a way to win. The equation is now very simple, in that, if they manage to beat Saltaire at the Britannia Ground on Thursday, they will be crowned league champions.

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Keighley 105-9 (W.Marshal 3-9 ; T.Colley 2-10)

Pudsey Congs won by 16 runs

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Pudsey Congs v Bradford & Bingley

at The Britannia Ground

Thursday July 14th, 2011

Match report by Dom Allen

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There was to be no rest after the elation of reaching the Cup Final as three nights later, Congs faced a Bradford & Bingley side that had beaten them in May at Wagon Lane , albeit with a weakened team that night. A victory this evening would earn the side the right to play for the Demaine title against Keighley the following week. On a warm but increasingly cloudy evening, Tom Colley won the toss and decided to bat and having done so, opened along with Arbaab Hussain. And it was difficult to imagine a more perfect opening partnership, as both defended resolutely whilst maintaining a severe stance on anything wide of the stumps. Colley was particularly harsh on anything drifting toward his pads and played several text book leg glances. Hussain’s power is something to witness at his age group and one straight shot seemed to go miles over the boundary and ended in a lost ball, not the first time he has done this. Both batsmen retired, Colley soon after Hussain and it was a shame to see them depart, the spectators getting used to their strokeplay.

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Next into bat were Joe Baxter and Mustafa Raffique and they were in no mood to let the great start slip. Raffique was unlucky throughout the majority of his innings, seeming to not only attract the better deliveries but finding the fielders almost every time. His patience and refusal to play a rash shot was therefore all the more commendable. Baxter at the other end was just starting to get going when he mishit a delivery straight to cover for the first wicket. Will Marshall arrived on the scene and continued to keep the scoreboard moving at a healthy pace, hitting four 4s in a total of 17.

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Raffique’s patience had clearly paid off and he let loose toward the end of the innings before retiring off 30 balls. There was still time for one late highlight however, a huge six from Danny Taylor (sadly worth only four under the rules) and it would have cleared the ropes on most adult grounds. The final total was big but maybe slightly smaller than had looked on the cards for the majority of the innings.

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Pudsey Congs 158-5 (A.Hussain 32 ret ; T.Colley 30 ret ; M.Raffique 30 ret)

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Bradford & Bingley got off to a flier in their innings as Martin Walker and Jack Dixon both played shots all around the wicket. Dixon has a highly unusual technique but his timing and eye for the ball are excellent and when partnered with some loose bowling, he looks a very dangerous customer. Sam Baxter achieved a big breakthrough for the home team with the score on 45 when he bowled Dixon , giving Congs some breathing space. Still runs continued to flow but when Jacques Allen induced Walker down the pitch, Joe Baxter whipped off the bails as quick as a flash and the floodgates began to open.

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Again the spinners possibly just had the edge on the night as Allen and Tom Colley bowled six overs between them and collectively hauled in 4-21. This being said, Mustafa Raffique’s spell was aggressive and tidy and Will Marshall’s two overs were tighter than a submarine door. Danny Taylor and Ross Kettlewell concluded proceedings for the night and wrapped up a comfortable victory. It must be said that whist B & B ended up on the losing team, their behaviour and the spirit in which they played the game was exemplary. All of their lads are so polite and gracious and they are a credit to the league and their club.

So the victory does indeed earn Congs the right to challenge Keighley for the title next Thursday before the two sides meet again in the Cup Final. Both matches will be gigantic tasks but Congs can take a lot of confidence into the game next week after their recent performances.

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Bradford & Bingley 103-7 (J.Allen 2-9 ; T.Colley 2-12)

Pudsey Congs won by 55 runs

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THE DAVID BAIRSTOW CUP SEMI FINAL

Woodlands v Pudsey Congs

at Albert Terrace

Monday July 11th, 2011

Match report by Dom Allen

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A semi final and further huge match arrived for the Congs as they travelled to Woodlands and a chance to pit their talents against one of the tops teams from another section. A sunny evening greeted the team as they arrived at the ground but a rather green and less than flat looking wicket served up a warning that the night would not be an easy one. On the very edge of the square, it was also unusually close to the boundary at one side.

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Jacques Allen lost the toss and Woodlands elected to field first. The opening bowlers were tight and made a breakthrough most teams have failed to achieve by removing the ordinarily impregnable Joe Baxter for a duck. Jacques Allen was therefore sent in on a like for like basis but having played an adorable leg glance, he succumbed to the first of many dirty tricks the pitch would play on the night, though he may have escaped had he got forward as instructed.

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Enter Mustafa Raffique to partner Arbaab Hussain and the two began a rebuilding process knowing that big runs would be vital against any side containing Ben Twohig, a Yorkshire Under 14s player. And both batted with calmness and authority, with Hussain simply lifting the ball at one point over the longest boundary. He perished one short of yet another retirement but his job was done, again, exceptionally well. Will Marshall joined Raffique and the pair put on a further 28 runs before Marshall departed to the worst ball of the night.

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Meanwhile, Raffique was playing probably his finest innings of the season thus far. Against an extremely disciplined bowling attack and a difficult pitch, he managed to make 32 and every one of them was valued by the side because they knew they were in a real scrap. Adam Slater, Danny Taylor and Sam Baxter applied the finishing touches to a score that was competitive but no more than that.

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Pudsey Congs 111-6 (M.Raffique 32 ret ; A.Hussain 29)

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The intimidating opening pair of Twohig and former Cong, Danish Hussain got off to a solid if not spectacular start but when a ball from Jacques Allen kept so low it almost rolled, Hussain could only chop the ball onto his stumps. But the first ball of the fifth over produced total elation from the Congs fielders as Daani Ahmed slipped an absolute peach through Twohig and bowled him with the score on 18. This was the second time in as many days that Ahmed had bowled him and it was clear immediately that he had achieve a huge breakthrough.

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But Woodlands were never going to lie down and Mo Wadee and Joe Woodhouse put together a brilliant 57 run partnership. Where as Woodhouse was sketchy at times, Wadee looked like a class act and it appeared that Woodlands might be romping to victory as some fairly untypical loose bowling got the treatment. But when both were forced to retire for their respective 30s, it became clear that the melting pot was still bubbling because Woodlands did not appear to have a batsman left that could get the ball off the square.

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Will Marshall turned in a devastating spell and Raffique’s last over had the batsmen almost quivering. When Danny Taylor and Tom Colley bowled the final two overs, the equation had become almost impossible for Woodlands and both bowled the ball with great accuracy, conceding only six runs between them. The game drifted away from Woodlands at the end but it had been a real nail biter in which an awful lot of Congs supporters probably thought the game was up.

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But you should never write off this young side; they have bags of character to back up the talent and they simply refused to be denied their second final in as many years. A heartfelt congratulations goes to all of the young men who have worked very hard and thoroughly earned their showpiece day in August. They can now concentrate on their challenge for the league title, starting with Bradford & Bingley this Thursday.

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Woodlands 96-6 (W. Marshall 2-7)

Pudsey Congs won by 15 runs

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Baildon v Pudsey Congs

at Jenny Lane

Thursday July 7th, 2011

Match report by Dom Allen

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Once again, the greatest concern in the build up and during this game was the weather as any abandoned matches could spell curtains for the title challenge. Despite storms seeming to be just about everywhere in Yorkshire , miraculously, Baildon appeared dry at the toss which was won by the self proclaimed luckiest captain, Danny Taylor. He elected to bat first and Congs reverted to their usual opening pair of Arbaab Hussain and Joe Baxter. Apart from a couple of poor calls in the running and one lofted stroke, it is difficult to imagine a more perfect opening to a game for Congs. After only seven overs they were standing at 59-0 and with the further hitting power stood champing at their bits on the sidelines, a huge score seemed inevitable.

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Hussain retired on 30 after just 21 balls but Baxter was not far behind him, taking only 27 balls to reach 31. The timing of both batsmen was exquisite and a pleasure to witness, their confidence palpably growing with every match. After 10 overs Congs had reached 82-0 with Zahid Mahmood and Mustafa Raffique taking up the slack and whilst Mahmood was unlucky to be the only man out on the night (although brilliantly caught by Danny Hunt), Raffique and later Will Marshall continued the run spree that had been commenced by the openers. Some of the shots they played were pure textbook, others an exercise in brutality. The bowling was not poor at all by Baildon but such is the confidence of the Pudsey juniors, the ball was disappearing to all parts of Jenny Lane . Jacques Allen and Danny Taylor applied the finishing touches and the final total was unbelievably harsh on the Baildon side yet for Congs it represented the highest score of the year against any of the established teams.

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Pudsey Congs 171-1 (M.Raffique 33 ret ; W.Marshall 33 ret ; J.Baxter 31 ret ; A.Hussain 30 ret)

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During the whole of the above innings however, Dom Allen had spent the majority of it pontificating over a menacing dark cloud that was approaching the ground and one that didn’t seem to have any break at the other side. He had debated declaring and wished the cloud had appeared nearer the toss because he would have instructed Taylor to insert the opposition. Right on half time it hovered overhead and began emptying its contents all over the ground. Fortunately, Baildon’s Junior Secretary Don Butterfield, had already agreed that he was more than happy for a cover to be placed on the wicket in the event and the Congs juniors hauled this to the middle as the rain became too heavy, just two balls into the Baildon reply.

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A break of approximately 20 minutes ensued but when the rain relented it was clear that it would stay dry long enough to conclude the match. Zahid Mahmood bowled tidily, as did Arbaab Hussain but yet again the main star was Danyaal Ahmed bowling his left arm, virtually unhittable deliveries and all of this in the face of aggressive batting from Elliott Turner. Mustafa Raffique took two wickets and Ross Kettlewell bowled economically but the team was just concerned with trying to get every over bowled as quickly as possible, off the shortest possible run up.

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When ‘over and time’ was called, a huge sense of relief descended on the team manager but also on the players because they had managed to beat the elements as much as the opposition. It should also be pointed out that Baildon’s position in the league is frankly baffling. They are not just a talented set of individuals, they also play the game in the correct spirit and it is almost unbelievable that they have only been able to chalk up two wins this season because they are far far better than that record would suggest. For Congs, their title challenge continues to gather momentum and the games get harder each week with the visit of Bradford & Bingley next Thursday.

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Before that however, we face Woodlands in the semi final of the cup at Albert Terrace on Monday evening. Nobody should be in any doubt, this will be the hardest game of the year thus far and the youngsters will need to be at their best if they wish to progress.

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Baildon 96-4 (M.Raffique 2-19 ; D.Ahmed 1-6)

Pudsey Congs won by 75 runs

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Pudsey Congs v Eldwick & Gilstead

at The Britannia Ground

Thursday June 30th, 2011

Match report by Dom Allen

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The arrival of Eldwick & Gilstead meant a chance to rotate the squad and an opportunity to play some of the youngsters that have not had a game recently and these fellers picked up the baton where the others had left off. Captain Sam Baxter won the toss and elected to bat on a pleasant evening but play did not get underway until 6.58pm , owing to the away team having initially visited Tofts Road . Arbaab Hussain opened with his third partner of the season, Adam Slater and both batted with a calm determination to wait for the ball in the light of some frankly, poor bowling. Both made their thirties in relatively quick time with barely any fuss, the highlights being a huge blow from Hussain resulting in a lost ball and an extra cover drive from Slater that was bordering on perfect.

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Next in to bat were good friends Danny Taylor and Sam Baxter, both of which, not only carried on the good work of the openers, they raised the stakes considerably. Taylor made 32 and retired from only 15 balls which represented a tremendous knock from a lad that does not get many opportunities due to the overall strength of the side. Sam Baxter hit 28 not out from the same number of balls and looked every bit as good. He had been joined by Avinash Mehta, batting for the first time this season although it did not show and he was particularly harsh on some ropey leg side deliveries he received and made 24 before he was sadly run out. This was not only disappointing in its nature but it also prevented the side going on to what would have been a great milestone, playing out a whole innings without losing a wicket. But to make a score of this size, with a different looking team and utilising different batsmen, it is not only highly commendable, it demonstrates a wonderful level of strength in depth.

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Pudsey Congs 179-1 (A.Slater 33 ret ; D.Taylor 32 ret A.Hussain 30 ret ; S.Baxter 28 no ; A.Mehta 24)

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Mustafa Raffique and Daani Ahmed opened the bowling, Raffique surprisingly wayward and Ahmed unsurprisingly not. At the end of their spells Eldwick & Gilstead were 14-4 and Ahmed deserves special praise for his unerring accuracy once again. Matthew Stalley also bagged a brace during his two overs, the second of which was a great catch by Danny Taylor. The game was ended after only 10.5 overs of the Eldwick & Gilstead innings when they were bowled out for 27.

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Whether this exercise is doing anybody any good is open to huge question as Eldwick look to be, not one but two levels below the benchmark to be competitive at this standard. It is to be hoped that a bigger picture and long term plan is in place and if this is the case and the club go on to develop cricketers of a much higher standard, then these dark days might have been worth the ordeal but currently, it all feels like a bit of a wasted evening. Credit does however go to their team who never give up, no matter what and to the Pudsey Congs players who on the whole remained extremely respectful of their opposition and continued to play the game hard until its conclusion which is all that can be asked of them.

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As a footnote, it should be added that this is a wonderful group of kids to be involved with and they do not need to be told that during the next few weeks, some serious questions will be asked of them but all of the coaches have every confidence they will be able to answer those questions in a positive manner. Baildon next week will provide a stern test on their own patch, followed by the cup semi final the following week.

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Eldwick & Gilstead 27 all out (D.Ahmed 2-0 ; M.Stalley 2-2 ; Z.Mahmood 2-2)

Pudsey Congs won by 152 runs

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Manningham Mills v Pudsey Congs

at Scotchman Road

Thursday June 23rd, 2011

Match report by Dom Allen

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The great concern during the day with persistent rain all over Yorkshire was that Manningham Mills might escape the wrath of the young Congs completely after the abandonment in early May. But despite the saturated wicket, play got underway on time at Scotchman Road and Mills asked Adam Slater’s side to make first use of a tricky looking surface. The established opening pair of Arbaab Hussain and Joe Baxter got off to their usual flyer and within 5 overs Congs were sitting pretty at 41-0. Inexplicably, they lost their first wicket with the score on 53 as a leading edge from Hussain was safely pocketed by Iqbal and for the first time in weeks, Arbaab failed to reach his 30, making a paltry 20!!

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But there was no great panic in the ranks when he was replaced by Mustafa Raffique and with Baxter the pair managed to take the game towards a position of safety, almost before it had begun. Both retired and both had played some delightful strokes, intermingled with sensible running, solid defence and above all, respect for the difficult conditions. Adam Slater ventured up the order but just like Tom Colley and Jacques Allen, found the conditions extremely difficult and with the ball not coming on, a flurry of wickets ensued, Colley being the most unlucky to be run out after a mix up.

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But sumptuous late order hitting from Will Marshall got Congs back to a position of total domination and he really has become a rock of the middle order. Despite the final total not being worth quite as many as it possibly sounded due to the small boundaries, it was still a formidable target.

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Pudsey Congs 151-5 (M.Raffique 33 ret ; W.Marshall 33 ret ; J.Baxter 32 ret)

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Although Congs knew they probably had a winning score, barring catastrophes, they would not have dared expect what came next, especially after the first three overs of the Mills reply. Jacques Allen’s first over was a fairly forgettable affair and so was the fielding off his second when he had the dangerous Kyme Khan dropped no less than three times. But he made amends in his final over, taking three wickets (including an assured catch by Adam Slater) and putting himself on a hat trick. Mustafa Raffique bowled a faultless opening spell at the other end and his LBW, plus a great direct hit run out from Joe Baxter meant that Mills were 14-5 after just six overs.

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There followed a combination of shambolic running between the wickets, mixed with simply brilliant fielding from Congs as the game quickly degenerated into farce. Tom Colley did find time to remove Khan with a well spun leg break but after poor Sam Baxter’s spell lasted only one ball due to the fifth run out of the innings, the game was at an end.

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Readers should not be fooled into believing that Congs had played the equivalent of the blind school here. Yes, Manningham did not help themselves and did not display the same determination and reading of the conditions as their Pudsey counterparts but a quick look at the results on the BJCL website will not only confirm that Mills have a number of prominent scalps under their belts this season, their previous lowest score was in excess of 50 more than tonight’s showing. Congs were totally untouchable in this fixture and once again demonstrated their willingness to adapt to differing conditions and match situations.

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Manningham Mills 35 all out (J.Allen 3-9 ; M.Raffique 1-4 ; T.Colley 1-7)

Pudsey Congs won by 116 runs

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