Farsley v Bankfoot


Date: Saturday June 28
Scores: Bankfoot 107 all out: Farsley 108 - 1: Farsley Won by 9 wickets
Points: Farsley 15 – Bankfoot 0
Venue: Red Lane

Farsley coasted to a 9 wicket victory in the latest Red Lane romp which has seen the Rams win 6 of their home League games since the start of the season, this is arguably the easiest of them all.

A disappointing Bankfoot side who only two weeks ago had comprehensively beaten promotion challengers Undercliffe – themselves recent victors over Farsley – were rarely in the game on a cool early summer afternoon and an all out at tea total of 107 proved to be no problem for the in-form Farsley side who retain top spot and a 10 point lead after other Division Two results.

Ram's skipper David Syers won the toss and had no problems this week in inserting the visitors on a wicket which had taken heavy rain during the week which, as a result, was not the usual Red Lane belter of a track. Although the visitors got off to a decent start 20 for no wicket in the games first 5 overs – it wasn't long before a keen-as-mustard Rams' attack made in roads, Bankfoot 20 – 1. Bozza then re-arranged fellow opener Hutchin's wicket, 20 – 2 and when South African import and chief run getter Gareth Von Hoesslin was snapped up behind the sticks, again off Bozza, the visitors had slipped to 25 – 3 in the 14th over.
Another heavyweight run scorer, Blenkiron then departed, LBW to Chris Henry at 31 – 4, and when Bozza demolished McKirgan's off peg for 'duck' Bankfoot were 36 – 5 after 20 testing overs and more worried than a one-legged tap dancer looking for employment.

The half way drinks arrived with Bankfoot going nowhere in particular at 44 – 5 which was worse score than Farsley's drinks total last week at Idle and one suspected that Bankfoot would not have a Metcalfe or Syers to do the rescue act on this occasion. So it proved!

A double bowling change saw Syers introduce Enzo at the pavilion end, also the tall teenager Matthew Lumb at the scoreboard end and whilst Enzo bowled well, big Lumb found it again difficult to hit either the right line or length as Bankfoot mounted a mini recovery. Young Matthew is short of wickets and confidence at present and the score eased to 74 – 5 before Metcalfe's introduction for Lumb gained immediate reward, Ellis falling LBW at the same score after numbing 30 overs of toil by the visitors.

Enzo grabbed his own first wicket of the afternoon, clean bowling number 8 at 74 – 7 and Ash got in the act again when also clean bowling number 9 at 91 – 8. Enzo's worth as a talented all rounder was shown again when he cleaned bowled another hapless Bankfoot batsman, still at 91 – 9 and after a 16 run mini-alliance by the last pair, Chris Henry was brought back for Enzo and immediately knocked number 11's castle over to send Bankfoot into tea on a miserable 107 all out in the 49th over.

Bankfoot's C. Johnstone was easily the pick of the visitors' disappointing batting display with a sound 36 whilst Bozza (3-16), Chris (3-29), Ash (2-9) and Enzo (2-23) each proved too good on a day the visitors to handle.

Young Barry Frankland again caught t he ye with some good ground fielding as did the athletic Lorenzo in a generally tidy feeling display for the Rams.

Farsley's sumptuous teas were enjoyed by all once again and with Hanson and Yorkshires Two's bowler James Lee both missing from Bankfoot's bowling ranks, the Rams were looking forward to even more delicacies on the run front as Anderson and Clayton began the Villagers' reply. Cricket does not always work out such a way of course but both Harvey and Dan were in determined mood to get back into batting mode and each did well in their respective ways.

Harvey's batting talents have not yet been reflected in the scorebook albeit the newcomer has done generally well and some positive batting by the former Idle opener rushed the Rams to a quickfire 40 for no wicket in only 10 overs before he got out, caught at cover, off spinner Deegan's bowling for a fine 37, out of 49 – 1, Farsley on their way, albeit a threat of rain in the air.

Lorenzo Ingram joined the usually more sedate Dan Clayton with instructions, if they were needed, to be positive in view of the encroaching rain and Dan got the message to show his sides of his batting so far unseen.

The second ball to Enzo disappeared through a crowd of Farsley's faithful like a bullet and then Dan followed suit with a bludgeoning 6, 4, 6 in one big over as the pair took complete charge of the faltering Bankfoot attack, Clayton's big hits surprising all and sundry as the pair powered the home side to easy victory at 108 - 1, leaving ample time for after match drinks and the devouring of the Farsley's left over teas.
Enzo's batting was again a joy, his 38 not out taking him to 306 runs in only 5 completed innings whist Clayton's impressive 30 not out also caught the eye in this 9th win of the season.

Sundays second round Priestly Cup clash against visitors Bowling Old Lane will, no doubt, be a sterner test for Farsley's young side but a side playing with confidence and no little flair and although next week's trip to struggling Lightcliffe will be made without Ashley Metcalfe, the team can confidently look forward to what lies ahead during the second half of the season

Farsley 169 points: Idle 159 points: Keighley 159 points: Undercliffe 154 points, Gommersal 145 points as at Saturday June 28th 2008