Saturday April 16, 2022 v Keighley at Lawkholme Lane

On a very sunny day, it was a delight to watch cricket on the well turned out ground at Lawkholme Lane and Congs supporters were not disappointed with a useful display to claim the maximum points.

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Callum Oliver and Sabir Mahmood batted with care and attention and took every opportunity to score runs in an opening partnership of 45. Captain Jubb joined Oliver and with speedy running between the wickets and some classy shots from opener Oliver, the scorers were kept busy. Spinner James Massheder put the brakes on the run rate and dismissed Jubb in a good spell, well bowled. With a calm innings from Josh Bennett, Vinit Patel was able to play freely and he did with three sixes, not out 46, resulting in a good team score of 234. The score included 27 wides which were conceded under the new regulations to reduce negative tactics.

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Before leaving to travel to the Red Rose County, I saw Ross Kettlewell take a smart catch at gulley from paceman Jamie Allen but missed the capture of Sam Wisniewski’s five wickets to complete the result we needed.

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Good start everyone.

Saturday May 14, 2022 v Carlton at Amber Cars Britannia Ground

On beautiful Summers day, on a flat pitch coupled with a lightening fast outfield, the two teams served quality cricket and an amazingly close tense finale as Congs took the winning points from the final ball of the match, just past 1900 hours. Phew.

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A fine opening spell by Adam Pearson claiming 3 top batters and ended with figures of 4 for 41. Sam Wisinewski bowled 15 overs of wrist spin 2 for 39 and fellow spinner Ryan Heptinstall 1 for 33 also in 15 overs. Good cricket. A brilliant piece of fielding and fast accurate return to keeper Bennett by Yohan Mendis gained Congs a welcome unexpected run out. Carlton battled hard throughout the 50 overs finishing with a late rally at 169 for 9. 

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In reply Congs Captain Richard Jubb held the innings together with a score of 44 from 121 deliveries and Josh Bennett supplied the necessary acceleration with a fine innings of 37 from 31 balls. Joe Stolarski showed guts with defiant innings after receiving a blow on the helmet in a University match midweek. A few moments of panic then overcame our tailenders before a leg bye from Liam Stanhope and a cool push for one by Ryan Heptinstall in the final over ended the anguish of the home crowds supporters!

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A really good game of cricket and a surprise that in such perfect batting conditions the highest individual score was 44. That statistic shows how well both sets of bowlers performed.

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Well played.

Saturday May 28, 2022 v Wrenthorpe at Bragg End Lane

It is very pleasing to report on a very strong batting display which ensured a comprehensive 8 wicket win over Wrenthorpe.

Captain Richard Jubb and Yohan Mendis shared an unbroken partnership of 123 for the second wicket after Callum Oliver started the innings with an attractive knock of 36. Batting with care and patience, yet punishing the poor delivery, it was a good advertisement for ‘bat as long as you can’ devotees and both finished achieving their half centuries to complete the victory.

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Wrenthorpe throughout their innings scored at a brisk rate with Shakir outstanding with 54 (7x4 & 2x6) yet the top individual performance of the match came from Congs Vice Captain, Ryan Heptinstall, who  in 11.5 overs took 5 for 27 with his left arm spin on a pitch that generally favoured the batters, well bowled.

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From the spectators point of view it is painful to report on the number of wides in the match, both teams totalled 52! Come on boys.

T20 - Tuesday June 7, 2022 v Farsley at Amber Cars Britannia Ground

On a perfect summers evening, Pudsey Congs delivered an almost perfect performance in the first game of the T20 competition.

Barring a couple of fumbles in the field, the bowling, fielding and batting were outstanding, In the field every fielder knew his role and quickly got into position when the situation changed but without the Captain having to direct or remind them of the change, as a result the batters were always under pressure. An efficient unit. Timby scored 70 not out for Farsley but was kept largely under control particularly by spin as Heptinstall and Wisniewski (2 victims) only conceded 37 runs in eight overs. Congs only bowled one wide in an excellent all round effort.

Oliver and Mendis started the reply brightly. Mendis played himself in while Oliver was out for 28, all scored in boundaries! All rounder Chopra kept the scoreboard ticking along as Mendis unleashed his array of shots to finish on 58 not out (7x4 & 1x6).

Very well played everyone.