Farsley CC v Lightcliffe

Scores: Lightcliffe 173 for 5 (28 overs) Farsley 179 for 6 (27.3 overs)

Points: Farsley 15 - Lightcliffe 5 Weather: Cold

Those hardy souls who braved weather more suited for early March than mid-May got their reward in the end with another cracking day of cricket at Red Lane which warmed the cockles if you were a Farsley supporter but not so the Lightcliffe players and supporters whose trek back to Halifax must have been accompanied by a coach load of "if only".

Rams' skipper and wicket keeper Davis Sayers was the undoubted architect behind Farsley's fourth win of the season (3 in the league) with a hand in all 5 of Lightciffe wickets to fall (3 stumpings and two great catches) and then making a match winning 53 not out in the Rams march to victory with only 3 balls remaining. Rams were facing a 12 runs needed from the game's very last over but Sayers needed half the usual 6 balls allocation as two massive 6's a crafted 4 and a foolish wide took the Rams from 162 – 6 score line to their final 179 winning post, with an extra batting point to boot.

Persistent light rain threatened to ruin the game but play did eventually begin at 4.00pm with the visitors choosing to bat after winning the toss and each side knowing that 28 overs per innings was the order of the day as Chris Henry and the returning Olly Howick opened the Rams' bowling. Lightcliffe unfortunately missing the batting of skipper and opener Nichols away on domestic duties. Farsley rested the lanky Lumb with signs of shin splints and were still missing the all round talents of their overseas recruit, Lorenzo Inghram, who is beginning to assume something of a Scarlet Pimpernel role at Farsley, such is his absence in these early games.

The 28 overs per side game reduced each bowler's allocation to 9 permitted overs and Chris Henry made his own early mark on the game, Sayers taking the first two eye-catching "caught behinds", Lightcliffe 8 for 1. Undaunted by the early loss however, the visitors went briskly enough to 50 for 1 in the tenth over before Charlie Hall chipped in with wicket number 2, Sayers this time making a bullet like snick look easy peasy catching practice, the visitor 59 for 2. By the time off spinner Harvey Anderson had taken wicket number 3 – via another Sayers' involvement with a sleight of hand stumping, Lightcliffe had moved on to 118 with 6 overs remaining and thoughts – in Farsley followers minds at least – of last week's late door hammering at Undercliife still fresh in the memory.

This time however, thre Rams held their nerve much better, albeit a further 55 runs, which took the Halifax side to 173 for 5, left Farsley with plenty to do if they were to clinch this particular victory. Bozza Thornton had grabbed two late wickets – Sayers gain in the picture with further stumping – whilst the visitors had Jonathan Wilson (48), David Finn (46) and Aussie Shaun Robinson (28) to thank for the bulk of their challenging total.



The earlier tea meant a quick switch round by the two teams, Farsley needing just over 6 runs per over for victory and Lightcliffe needing to keep their line, their length and their nerve as Anderson and Clayton began the Rams' reply. After a quiet start – 5 runs in just the tree overs – the pair began to blossom and a change of gear brought the home side to 50 in the tenth over – game on!

Clayton fell shortly afterwards – caught brilliantly near the boundary edge for a sound 30 – and Farsley sent in their regular number 9, Chris Henry, to batter a few quick runs in the Rams'chase for victory. 5 balls and 14 runs later Henry was back on his way for an early shower but his brief hitting cameo had kept Farsley on course at 69 – 2, 16 overs to go and Ashley Metcalf walking out to bat.

Anderson's nice little knock ended at 78 – 3 after he had made 31 of them and Sayers now joined Ash to ease Farsley to 90, 100, 110 and then 124 in fine style before Ash departed to a magnificent outfield catch at 28., Lightcliffe's players replicating a Cup Final dance in celebration, Farsley 124 – 4, 7 overs remaining and 50 runs still needed.

Big Will Kitchen couldn't manage on this occasion – another good catch putting the Rams on 140 – 5 – which then became 140 – 6 when Shabbs Rashid fell LBW first ball to set the Rams' followers on edge and Lightcliffe sniffing scent of victory with now only 4 overs remaining and Farsley still 34 runs away from victory.

The Villagers eased to 147 – 6 with 3 to go, 152 – 6 with 2 left and 162 – as the last over arrived; Lightcliffe's bowlers in turn, each trying to avoid the short straw to bowl the over against a David Sayers now setting his sights on distant back gardens and of course the winning finale.

12 off the last over of any game calls for nerves of steel from batsmen and no less so from bowlers and fieldsmen alike, and he who dares wins. Sayers provided all the answers from Farsley a prospective as he took rather less than the one over available to dispatch the ball in the general direction of Farsley Town Street, coming to his own magnificent half century in the process and looking an extra batting point just for good measure.

Lightcliffe trudged off the field to warm applause, Farsley to even more, and another excellent game of Bradford League cricket had refused to be spoiled by inclement spring weather.