Farsley v Bowling Old Lane
Priestley Cup Round 2)

Date: Sunday June 29th 2008
Scores: Bowling Old Lane 120 all out: Farsley 62 -2: Match Abandoned by Umpires
Venue: Red Lane

Scenes never before witnessed on a cricket field by this particular scribe – or indeed probably anyone else on the ground – ended this enthralling re-arranged Priestley Cup Tie when the two umpires dramatically ended a fraught afternoon by pulling the stumps and abandoning the game with Farsley looking the most likely winners.

Home supporters were asking why the game had been abandoned were merely informed by the Umpires that visitors Bowling Old Lane were being reported for both on the field and off the field incidents during both innings – when BOL were batting and when BOL were fielding.

One BOL player was seen to charge off the field in an attempt to attack a spectator and later an incident in the Farsley Club House saw Farsley Club members having to restrain a visiting player from further assault on a spectator. Over-zealous and persistent appealing and questioning of the umpires decisions during the game are believed to be behind the abandonment.

The two officials are known to have immediately reported the incidents to the JCT Bradford League Management with a recommendation that the second round Priestley Cup match at Red Lane, Farsley be awarded to the home side Farsley.

It is understood that there were no Farsley players or officials involved in any incident which resulted in the abandonment of the game.

And now for the game itself!

First Division Bowling Old Lane arrived at Red lane keen to make their mark in the Priestly Cup Competition in which they had already beaten Second Division promotion contenders Gomersal. A team that had bowled out Baildon for only 90 two weeks ago and who topped 200 against Pudsey St Lawrence earlier this month have to be respected even though the visitors are struggling for First Division survival and a game originally scheduled for June 1st got off on time, albeit a month late, but once again with the threat of rain not very far away. Farsley had beaten Windhill in their particular first round game.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat in this second round tie but they were quickly in trouble as the Rams' attack continued from where they left of the day before in demolishing visitors Bankfoot. M khan was caught by Syers off Henry at 4 – 1 and when Bozza uprooted T Khan's peg at 10 – 2 the visitors were already in a spot of bother when rain began to fall.

Most of Bowling Old Lane's 23 – 2 scoreline at the eventual break had come from "extras", "wides" being regrettably called in these days of Cup Competitions for balls merely missing leg stump. A long two hour delay ensued during which early tea was taken before resumption was made at 4.00pm.

More runs came quickly but two shrewd bowing changes by Syers slowed matters down, when Matthew (Muscles) Lumb grabbed a wicket at 58 -3 which quickly became 60 – 4 when Enzo also had Syers to thank for another "caught behind", Farsley now in the driving seat, the 'skip with another two fine catches in his credit account.

After 20 tormented overs BOL were 76 – 4 and the visitors' runs dried up around what would have been 'drinks' time if there had been any. Ash then grabbed another first ball wicket of his spell after replacing big Lumb and the game changed dramatically in Farsley's favour with TWO run outs in the space ofa couple of overs.

Suicidal tendencies probably don't run in the Bowling Old Lane camp but the loss of two quality batsmen to needless attempts at making extra runs cost them dear and 94 – 5 quickly became 104 – 7 under what was now cloudless skies, at least those which were above the Farsley faithful.

"Muscles" Lumb was switched to the pavilion end, roughly the equivalent of visiting a foreign country for the teenage quickie, and immediately grabbed his second wicket of the game, Syers taking his umpteenth catch of the season behind the sticks, BOL now 117 – 8.

A more confident Lumb then plucked out number 10's middle peg in more impressive fashion and one wonders if the pavilion end might be a better bet, bowling wise, for the tall teenager. His final 3 – 24 was easily his best of the season after once again Ash had chipped in usefully with his own second wicket, Syers again the behind the stumps hero, Bowling Old Lane all for 120.

Ash finished with an impressive 2 – 21, Bozza, Chris and Enzo one wicket apiece alongside Bowling's two run outs and "Muscles" 3 – 24.

Tea having already been taken the two teams were soon back in action and keen to end the game rather than having to come back the following evening, and although Clayton quickly departed (to a brilliant diving catch by Kameron Siddique, a talented goalkeeper in winter), Harvey and Enzo scored quickly enough to give hopes of a home victory.

Harvey Anderson again did the hard bit but then got caught at 14, caught at mid off, (both Farsley's wickets going to Manji "Charlie" Khan) and it was left to Enzo and Shabbs to take the Rams forward towards their 121 target. Enzo hits a ball like a tracer bullet, and Shabbs, in form, is no slouch either, and the pair had moved the Rams to 62 – 2 and looking good for many more when matters turned sour on the boundary edge, Enzo already on28 not out and firing on all cylinders.

Only 19.4 overs had been bowled when the game was abruptly and regrettably abandoned by the two harassed, obviously frustrated and, possibly brave umpires.

Priestley Cup 2nd Round results:
Manningham Mills 194 – 4, Great Horton 158
East Bireley 256 – 8, Baildon 155
Bowling Old Lane 120, Farsley 62 – 2 (Match abandoned)
Cleckheaton 183 – 8, Hartshead Moor 104.
Morley 93, Esholt 94 – 6.
Saltaire 170 – 7, Idle 88.
Bradford & Bingley 127, Woodlands 128 – 5.
Pudsey Congs 169 -9, Yeadon 95.