On Thursday 19th of October, a group of 37 keen cricket lovers set off from Pudsey Congs for an 11 day trip to Barbados for a tour consisting of four matches against local club sides. 

​

The party included a majority of Congs contingent with a strong number from our friends at Copley CC and an ex-Cong who resides at Hepworth and Idle CC.

​

Isolation Cavaliers CC

 

Our first game was scheduled Friday 20th against Isolation Cavaliers, however much like large parts of the 2023 season, the weather was the victor.  We did visit Isolation Cavaliers to show them some support for one of their league games which was appreciated by their patrons/players.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

Wanderers CC

 

The second fixture saw the sunny Barbadian weather arrive as we travelled to Wanderers Cricket Club. The pitch and surroundings were spot on. After an uncontested toss, Congs decided to bowl in the 35 over a side match and the Wanderers got off to an aggressive start as the opening partnership amassed 59. 

 

However, Congs fought back as skipper A.Patrick turned to his finger spinners as R.Heptinstall and M.Humpleby got into a rhythm and picked up 3-35 and 2-23 respectively. Spinners L.Gunner, L.Stone and N.Hussain all picked up a wicket each as Congs continued to chip away. Young Copley bowler H.Connett was the pick of the seamers who finished with 2-22, an impressive performance from the teenager as Wanderers ended up 200 all out. Moment of the innings was the final wicket as skipper A.Patrick took a one handed catch diving backwards, Stokes esque. 

 

In response Copley duo B.Smith and N.Hussain got off to a solid start as they were proactive against some testing pace bowling. They managed to do the hard graft but once the spinners came on they were unable to cash in as B.Smith was adjudged plumb LBW and N.Hussain edged one to short leg in the same over.

 

Regular wickets fell in the chase as Congs also struggled against the slower bowlers, however skipper A.Patrick came to the crease and began to counter attack. A.Patrick in typical fashion proceeded to launch the spinners to all parts. He made his way to the 40s in quick time, as the Wanderers brought on their premier quick bowler, however skipper Patrick was not fazed as he launched his first ball for 6 to bring up his 50 in 20 balls. However once Paddy fell the rest of the innings quickly ended as Congs managed 126 all out in their chase of 200. Despite the defeat this was a solid performance from Congs to start their tour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

St Catherines CC

 

Our second game saw Congs travel to Brereton who were hosting on behalf of St Catherine’s. The earlier showers saw the game reduced to a 16 over a side after a superb effort from the ground staff. Again, an uncontested toss saw Congs bowl first.

 

St Catherine’s started aggressively as Z.Harewood walloped 28 off 10 balls before being caught on the boundary off the bowling of L.Gunner.  M.Austin came to the crease and didn’t take long to get into his stride as he muscled 44 off 22 balls. Change bowlers R.Kettlewell Jnr and ex Cong S.Raistrick dragged Congs back into the contest. The two impressed and picked up 3 wickets between them the former 1-9 and the latter 2-6 off their 3 overs each. Skipper keeper M.Gaunt contributed to the pick of the wickets with a smart stumping stood up to seamer S.Raistrick.  St Catherines finished up on 131 off their 16 overs, this was a good total on a tough deck though things could have been a lot worse for Congs after the start the locals had.

​

The start to the chase couldn’t gave gone any worse as they lost two wickets without scoring, a bizarre moment nearly saw Congs 3 down as Z.Stolarski appeared to be bowled but the young Congs batter reviewed it and he had another go. However even after this stroke of luck Congs were unable to make a decent fist at the chase, R.Kettlewell Jnr was the only player to make double figures as Congs limped to 45 all out. One bright moment in the chase saw J.Connett win the battle of the Connetts as he scored more runs than his son H.Connett.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yorkshire 

 

The final game saw Congs travel to Yorkshire (not that Yorkshire). Congs won the toss and with overhead conditions suiting the travelling party, they opted to bowl. 

 

J.Chapman and S.Raistrick took the new pill and the ball began to talk from ball one. S.Raistrick who impressed yet again, and the senior figure made the breakthrough with a nick behind. J.Chapman soon joined the party as he got the left handed Yorkshire batsman driving the swinging ball as he nicked to first slip. Congs were up and about. Soon 2 wickets became 3 wickets as J.Chapman obliterated middle and leg stump with a superb inswinging delivery. At 12/3 Congs were well on top. However, this wicket ended up being the last ball of the tour as rain came and within an hour the ground was under water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What could have been for this Congs team? With the start they had and the conditions in the favour of the touring side, the group certainly came away from the ground thinking rain certainly saved the hosts from a defeat.

 

Though the cricket on the tour was rain affected, fun was had on and off the field. Huge thanks has to go Andre the mastermind of the trip, and to Donna and John Connett for all their support to Andre before and during the trip. Everyone who went on the trip will be forever grateful for the memories made.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Who’s looking forward to the next tour? Sri Lanka maybe?

​