Farsley CC v Pudsey Congs CC

Date: Saturday 5th September 2009
Venue: Red Lane
Weather: Cool
Result: Farsley won by 66 runs
Points: Farsley 16; Pudsey Congs 4
Scores: Farsley 147-8: Pudsey Congs 81 all out

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Just when it was needed, the Rams produced sparkling bowling, fielding and catching performance to beat near neighbours Pudsey Congs by 66 runs – a League victory satisfying on all fronts.

It helped them in their relegation tussle and it was the first time anyone could recall the Rams actually ever beating the Congs since they entered the Bradford League in 1987 in a League game.

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The Rams were victors over the Intake Laners in the Priestley Cup earlier in the season of course and Congs came to Red Lane obviously determined to put right that particular defeat but cricket, of course doesn't always workout as planned and Farsley were in fact worthy winners on this day.

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The Rams had two worthy heroes, albeit there were several eye-catching mini performances with ball, bat, or in the field from others but Harry Anderson's maiden half century (58 not out) and Lorenzo Ingram's 6-31 bowling shift were each key contributions on a cold, blustery but satisfying dat if you were a Rams faithful.

James Lee returned from County duty to head up Farsleys attack - but Aayaz Akram was again missing from the fray, reported to be in Pakistan at his sister's wedding, not that he advised the selectors of such a mission.

Those of us old enough to remember when two postal deliveries a day – the first through your letter box before you set off for work, when busses and trains ran on time, when there was a fish and chip shop on every street corner and when you were served with a smile and not with a scowl – will also recall those same far off times when Farsley's opening batsmen actually got their team off to a decent start and went on to make several half centuries during a season.

Like many other things in life from yesteryear those days seem sadly departed, just like Harpal Ryatt did in the game's third ball. The Rams again losing a wicket before some visitors had had time to even park their cars – Farsley 0-1. 'Harps' had 'top scored' for the Rams in last week's Priestley Cup Final but his dismissal might just have unearthed a talent waiting to come out in batsman Harry Anderson who arrived at the wicket in the first over – and still not out in the last one! It was a long slow innings by the popular Anderson but a vital one indeed on a damp, difficult wicket on which skipper Matthew Doidge had no hesitation in inviting Farsley to bat on winning the toss

Farsley came into the final home game of the season having won only two League matches all season at Red Lane, Congs had nothing but pride and a decent League position left to play for (except for that revenge bit of the Cup defeat) but Mattie Green – who had opened with Harpal – took the score to 43 with Harry before Green holed out at mid-on off Glen Roberts's' spin, 'Greenie' having made a useful 21. Congs were using their spinners (at least two of them out of the three being played in Roberts and Batty - Middlebrook not getting a look in today) and it was tough going as the ball lifted of a length from both spinners.

Batty actually had had trouble landing one or two balls on the cut bit of grass (cold fingers were blamed) but right on drinks 'Gazza' Philips wa out to the former Yorkshire spinner at 66-3 and the Rams knew they had much to do to forge some sort of winning total.

'Enzo planted a big six nearly into Farsley town Street but was caught off Roberts to end his disappointing Red Lane batting experience of 2009 but Harry was still there as the Rams eased their way towards the hundred mark with'Shabbs' just missed when he was out at 99-5, brilliantly caught by Siddall of Batty's probing offspin. 'Ash' came in at lowly number 7 and with only 9 overs remaining the Rams were a worrying 103-5 and wondering where another 50 or 60 runs were going top come from. A high hit by 'Ash' nearly brought down a passing light aircraft and unfortunately didn't quite carry to Farsley's 'Cow Corner' and a neat catch after a 5 minute wait for it coming back to earth saw Metcalfe out cheaply on what some believe might be his last innings at Red Lane, Farsley 106-6, Glen Roberts the bowler.

Jimmy Lees's innings usually brings a quickfire 50 or a quickfire 'duck' and although he didn't manage either on this occasion his departure had more relevance to the lower digit than the higher one, Farsley 108-7, caught and bowled Batty.

The 18 year old Joe Greaves came in after his swashbuckling not out half century the week before at Hanging Heaton and was quickly into hitting mode, albeit in a short but sweet cameo knock which took the Rams to 128-8 when he, too, was caught off Batty, the latters fourth wicket.

Joe's innings haven't won matches for Farsley yet but he's won a few friends with his up-and-at-em approach to batsmanship and Chris Henry and Harry managed to ease, caress, snick, or simply bludgeon another 19 runs to take Farsley in to their famous teas at 147-8, a decent enough score on a a far from friendly rain affected wicket, Harry earning some good applause for his fighting and valuable 58 not out.

Jimmy Batty was the Congs' main bowler with a fine 15-1-50-4 shift, whilst fellow spinner Glen Roberts' 15—3-34-3 also took the eye but Farsley faithful were confident that their own leg spinner – Lorenzo Ingram – might have something to say in matters as the Congs began their innings.

In truth, Congs never really got going against any of the Farsley bowlers as Lorenzo did in fact turn the screw on the visiting batsmen but it was fiery James Lee who got amongst the early Congs batsmen, regular run makers Siddall and Middlebrook being two of three early victims to fall to the County quickie, Congs 12-3.

When Chris Henry chipped in with a fourth wicket at 28-4 and 'Enzo was introduced into Farsley's attack one sensed that the Congs might struggle today to take much from a new rampant Rams' attack.

Bairstow departed, Gill was beaten, Doidge failed and at drinks Congs were struggling on 677 and a big 81 runs short of what was now looking to be an unlikely victory for the visitors.

Batty was neatly caught by a diving 'Ash' again off 'Enzo's bowling, and the game ended without much resistance from the visitors on this occasion as they were all out for a misery 81 runs, 'Gazza' highlighting the end with a quite stunning catch on the boundary edge, which left the West Indian all –rounder with magnificent bowling figures of 10.3-2-31-6, Jimmy Lee's earlier 3-24 in an 11 over double spell also playing a key part in the Rams' 16 points win.

Although Hanging Heaton lost a high scoring game against Gomersal, Manningham Mills pulled off arguably the shock of the season in beating east Bierley (the Rams' Cup Final Victors) to leave a mix at both top and bottom of the Division 1 League Table yet to be resolved with, now, only two games remaining.