Pudsey Congs v Farsley CC

Date: Saturday, June 20
Venue: Intake Road, Pudsey
Weather: Fine
Result: Pudsey Congs won by 54 runs
Points: Farsley 6: Pudsey Congs 20
Scores: Pudsey Congs 235-7 (50 overs): Farsley 181 all out

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Indeed, no one from the Farsley camp of followers actually ever recall a single victory over the Intake Road side since Congs came in to the Bradford League in 1987.

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As in all but one of Farsley's eight defeats this season, the Rams were once again quite unable to chase down a first innings total and the only positive to take from yet another poor batting display was a fine half-century from newcomer Gareth Phillips – remarkably only the third Rams player to pass the 50 mark this season and only the second 'batsman' (bowler James Lee did it at Woodlands) to do so – Ashley Metcalfe having notched two earlier in the season.

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Thereby lays the bulk of Farsley's troubles and one batsman who was quite reasonably dropped after a catalogue of failures has now gone and left the club.

Future scorecards will not have the name 'Harvey Anderson' overprinted through no fault of the Farsley Club by the way.

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To offer some modest consolation to Farsley, Congs had three current or recent past County spin bowlers in their ranks – James Middlebrook the Essex all-round, Jeremy Batty the former Yorkshire (and Farsley) off spinner and Glen Roberts the former Derbyshire left arm bowler who each went on to play key roles in rolling over the Rams.

Some of the batsmen were unable to rise to the challenge and pressure of chasing a total whatever that total may be.

'Enzo Ingram is also having a nightmare of a start for the first half of the season although he was brilliantly caught and bowled in this game by Batty, after looking more like his old self again. The Rams will need his talents to come through now because of his failures seem to be a catalyst for other batsmen to cave in.

It has happened far too many times already this season and some honest plain talking is clearly needed amongst a team which is performing anywhere near its capabilities.

The Rams started badly, got back in to the game, and then gave too many late runs away to leave Pudsey Congs at a tea having scored a very decent 235-7. Chris Henry pinned left hander Mark Gill at 39-1 and claimed another wicket when 'Enzo took another quite breathtaking catch to send Uzair Mahomed back for an early shower at 47-2 and James Middlebrook wouldn't have lasted very long if Ashley Metcalfe had managed to take a difficult slip catch, also off Chris Henry, with the score just past the half century.

Congs moved their total along to 83 when the Essex all-rounder was given LBW to James Lee to a ball clearly going over the top of the stumps, the first of several dubious umpire decisions from which both sides suffered. By the time drinks arrived at 98-3 'Bozza' Thornton had now been recalled into the attack and grabbed a wicket at 107-4 via Syers' behind the sticks neat pouch, the dangerous Bairstow the victim.

Congs opener Siddall was still there and joined now by the home team's regular opener Patel, the pair each doing well in taking Congs to 178 when Patel gave his wicket away to a silly run out with 7 overs remaining. This was a cue for skipper Syers to bring back opener Chris Henry at the score-box end, but the experienced opener let his skipper and his side down with a series of half volleys which were suitably dispatched for 25 priceless runs in only 2 overs.

This left the skipper having to rethink his 'death balls' strategy and, indeed, to try and lift a few Farsley heads which quite visibly dropped as the score went comfortably past 200.

Siddall was eventually out, caught on the boundary edge after a very fine, anchor role 93, Lee the bowler at 229-6, and a hard working cameo shift from Akram got a reward when he had Roberts caught by that man again 'Enzo. Both sides went tirelessly to tea – far removed from the quality and quantity from those available at Farsley, by the way – but Congs were no doubt the more confident of the two sides whatever the fare on offer.

Congs' Ingle and Bray began against the opening partnership of 'Enzo and Harpal Ryatt and, in truth, the pair set off like a train – or rather like trains used to set off – and with 42 on the board in the eighth over thoughts were hoping, nay praying, that this might be the day when 'big brother' Congs would be beaten, a discussion item from Farsley which would have kept the Red Lane cockles warmed right through next winter.

Unfortunately 'Enzo exit to a remarkable 'C&B' to Jeremy Batty and a silly run out – even though he looked well within which saw fellow opener Ryatt out as well brought the faithful back down to earth at 44-2. Ashley Metcalfe and Gareth Phillips however had no thoughts of that being the start of the end on this occasion and the pair each did well, Phillips going to a fine 50 out of 123-2 – an alliance of 79 quality runs only for Phillips to fall two runs later when Batty snapped up a neat little catch of Roberts, 124-3.

When Ash departed, out to a skier when going really well at 134-4, Roberts again the bowler, it was time again for Farsley faithful to fear the worst.

Syers came in but Shabbs went out – another boundary edge heave which wa totally uncalled for – young Joe Greaves, looking well short of being ready for this Division, was quickly gone LBW, Lee came and departed in his usual mis-cued skier (where does Syers see his Yorkshire Second teamer anyway other than 9, 10 Jack?) and the Rams had sunk from 124-2 to 152-7 in less time than it takes an MP to fiddle one of his expense claims.

David Syers- himself short of runs this season – went another dodgy looking LBW (aren't about 70% so doubtful as be given not out in favour of the batsmen?) and it only remained for 'Bozza' and Chris Henry to show that they could bat better than one or two others who go in before them to at least take the Rams past 3 bonus points score of 175 in finishing at 181 all out, Jeremy Batty finishing with a fine 5-53.

The handful of Farsley faithful at the game were left wondering why Barry Frankland – the send best fieldsman in the club after 'Enzo – was seen to be walking around the field fresh from another second team showing when he was quite clearly, on batting evidence seen earlier this season, a more accomplished player than one or two currently occupying First Team places ahead of him.