Farsley CC v Baildon CC

Date: Sunday, May 17
Venue: Red Lane, Farsley
Weather: Cold & Wet
Result: Farsley won in a bowl out 2-1
Scores: Baildon 37 – 3 Rain stopped play : Game decided by the Cup "bowl out" rule

* Click here to sign up to free news and sport email alerts from Farsley Today.

Those spectators who like their cricket served up in a keen competitive manner between two evenly matched sides who battle to the very last over in a keenly fought match, all on a hot summer's day, were in the wrong place at Farsley.

* Click here for latest Farsley news.

The game had none of the aforementioned cricketing qualities – through no fault of the players, you understand, because this particular day in our summer of crocket calendar was seemingly drafted in from a February time machine to play havoc with the players, spectators, umpires and any other hardy soul who dared to venture out in the hope of seeing the Rams beat a side who came into the game having played seven games already this season and who'd won the lot of them.

Although Farsley will go down in the record books as eventually won the game, it would be true to say that nobody on the ground took much pleasure in the way the result was achieved but Priestly Cup Rules are devised to bring about a result on the day once a game has started and so it was the unedifying sight of players sheltering under umbrellas awaiting their turn to bowl took place some time after 6 o'clock after a near four hour wait after Baildon had made a stuttering start of 37 – 3.

The Rams newcomer Gareth Phillips making a rare appearance in a side which had three changes from the previous day's defeat at Bradford & Bingley, the most note worthy absence being County Second Team bowler James Lee who was again called up by Yorkshire – presumably to serve up drinks when County play Sussex.

Hot Bovril and double brandies were more in keeping with what followed at Red Lane however as visiting skipper ex-Farsley all rounder Ian Philliskirk began the Jenny Laners' innings with regular opener Bhatti alongside regular number 8 Andy Walker, one of four ex-Farsley players in the visitors' ranks.

When Walker, as expected, went quickly caught easily at mid off from "Bozza's" bowling at 16 – 1 Philli then sent in regular number 9 – "Mushie" Ahmed – to see what he could do in an obvious attempt to put some early quick runs on Farsley's battered scoreboard.

"Mushie" didn't last long either , caught by David Syers again of "Bozza" Thornton at 21 – 2, which then prompted Philliskirk to send in regular opener John Reynolds, his tactics mis-firing, what ever they may have been.

In fact Reynolds ought to have been out before he actually was because 'keeper Syers spilt a fairly regulation snick by his standards of a perspiring Bozza before a brilliant gully catch by West Indian Lorenzo Ingram did see off the regular opener for an early shower, Baildon 32 – 3 and non-too-pleased.

Regular number 3 Azram Butt then came in at number 5 but any plans to re-kindle the visitors' poor start soon became doomed at 37 – 3 when persistent drizzle sent all and sundry scurrying for the comfort of the dressing room, or in the case of several Farsley die-hards the comfort of the beckoning bar, 11 overs being everybody's lot at this stage of the game.

Rule books were got out from the bottom of a number of sweaty kit bags, the two umpires were seen in deep conversation with the respective rule makers on their mobiles as both the bar and tea room became havens from the pouring rain outside.

Ironically the clubhouse was showing the cricket Test between England and the West Indies on what looked like a half decent day up in Durham which was like rubbing salt in both teams' wounds as puddles began to form on Raymond Illingworth's cherished turf.

Several hours, or was it days, later both sides re-assembled on the wet square, each sides' skipper giving five short straws to five bowlers with the umpires officiating for 'no balls' or full tosses (not allowed), Chris Henry setting off by spread-eagling the artificial wickets put to some immediate pressure on the rain soaked Baildon opposition.

It wasn't cricket of course, but the Rams at least managed to bowl a bit straighter than Baildon who had only big Craig Hitchen able to hit the sticks. After Phillips had done his job for the Rams on the second time round however big "Hitch" missed his wicket target and the Rams had won!

This Sovereign Healthcare sponsored Priestley Cup must surely come up with something a bit more than this washed out farce of a match, poor weather or not, because this sort of fiasco brings discredit to this long respected competition and provides no pleasure to ether players or supporters.