Farsley v Idle

Date: Saturday, July 26
Scores: Idle 203 all out: Farsley 206–3 wickets: Farsley won by 7 wickets
Points: Farsley 219 – Idle 5
Weather: Very Hot
Venue: Red Lane

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First versus Second had all the trappings of the day's top match at either Division but, in truth, Farsley were comfortable winners over visitors Idle on a long awaited sun kissed day of excellent Bradford League Cricket at Red 'Hot' Lane. The Rams did not have it all their own way in the game – Idle were 103 – 3 just before 'drinks' at one stage, but the home side were not short of bowing or batting talent at this level of Bradford League Cricket and a quite magnificent third 'ton' of the season from West Indian Lorenzo Inghram and a fine all rounder performance from Ashley Metcalfe withy both bat and ball proved too good for promotion challengers Idle on the day, Farsley thus completing the double over their nearest promotion rivals. Enzo's 106 not out took him to 600 League and Cup runs for Farsley in only 9 completed innings giving the very talented Jamaican all rounder a batting average of 66.65. Ash's supporting 43 not out was not far behind.

Idle won the toss and not surprisingly decided to bat on a wicket that looked choc full of runs – hard, fast and with a well manicured outfield over which the ball sped like lightening. A notable absentee from the late rolling of the wicket was Rams' President Raymond Illingworth who is recovering from a very recent back operation but the ex England Skipper was present later in the game to witness his side's fine all round display, perhaps marginally marred by some below par fielding on occasions. Get well soon Ray and keep taking those tablets!

'Enzo made the first telling mark on the game with a quite magnificent 60 yard bullet of a throw ran out opener Dobson who left the field in bewilderment at his dismissal, Idle 30 – 1. Bozza Thornton got in on the act when bowling the visitors' overseas all rounder M Fayyaz for 25, a score which had accounted for most of Idle's 32 – 2 after 10 overs. Chris Henry then put his side in the driving seat by grabbing wicket number 3 with the total on 49, things looking good at Red 'Hot' Lane although not so good for the departing Pickles for a modest 5.

'Muscles' Lumb then replaced Chris and Ash came on for Bozza as Idle moved more comfortably but Enzo then replaced big Matthew Lumb in double quick time and he and Ash each bowled each other well once again in tandem – almost a Music Hall double act but without quite the laughter – Enzo with his high flighted left arm spin and Ash with that now well practised line and length off spinners which don't actually spin a great deal but give the impression they might which is often good enough for most batsmen. The half way 'drinks' were waiting at the boundary edge when Enzo made another key insertion into Idle's batting, Skipper Danny Shuffe departing for 32, Idle 108 – 4 and the game now finely balanced.

Heinemann tried the aerial route to hit Enzo off his length but eventually merely found the safe hands of Barry Frankland and Baz doesn't drop many whether hard or easy, Idle 125 -. Ash then turned the game quite definitely Farsley's way with 2 wickets in 2 balls to leave the visitors' followers with frowned faces at 134 – 7. Ash didn't get his log awaited hat trick but John Burton, Idle's wicket keeper, now decided to put bat to ball by planting 2 massive sixes into separate gardens off the bowling of a surprised Enzo, with 'Benny' Nicklin playing a more steadying role as Idle moved to 161- 7 with still 10 overs remaining.

The pair had moved the visitors to an even more challenging 174 – 7 when Enzo again took the eye with an excellent overhead catch off Ash's bowling to send the portly Nicklin (12) off for his shower Idle 174 – 8.

Ash immediately gave himself a second chance of a hat trick by grabbing Farsley's ninth wicket of this hot sunny afternoon still at 174 with, now, just 3 overs remaining. There was then a spirited last wicket alliance which added another 29 runs, Enzo again getting planted for another big 6 but Ash having bowled a full shift of 15 overs Chris Henry returned at the scoreboard end, with the help of a 15 yard underarm throw the Rams' keeper, grabbed the last Idle wicket, stumped Syers; Idle all out in the last over for 203 and 4 batting points.

Farsley's own 5 bowling points and a target of 204 for victory, and probable promotion which would go with just such a result, sent the Rams players into their sumptuous teas full of confidence, and Idle knowing they had much to do, bowling-wise, to dent the Rams' 100% home playing record this 2008 season.

Ashley Metcalfe again had bowled magnificently on a a hot summers afternoon to take 4 – 34 in a full 15 overs, Chris Henry was rather less successful with 2 – 56 and Enzo had to settle for 2 – 62, Bozza getting a wicket and Enzo's run out accounting for the other two Idle wickets. For Idle, Heinemann was top scorer with 43, skipper Shuffe made 32 and 'keeper Burton 28 in Idle's all out tea time total.

Big Will Kitchen again opened Farsley's batting with the still out of form and unlucky Harvey Anderson but whilst Harvey planted an early 4 in the first over he was again unfortunate again 'triggered out', caught behind to a ball he got nowhere near for only 8.

Enzo looked in good West Indian fettle straight away, however, the Red Lane hot weather no doubt reminding him of his back home Jamica but Will's departure to a yah-hoo of a shot not becoming of an opening batsman – had Farsley's at 48 – 2 and still much to do, Will out for 16.

Shabbs can delight or excite on his day but ne, too, appeared to get another poor decision at 70 – 3 and had to settle for a modest 11 on this occasion which brought Ash to join Enzo in what turned out to be the changing point in Farsley's subsequent victory as the pair put on a show of first class batsmanship from both ends.

Drinks arrived and over late at 110 – 3 with 15 parched throats awaiting, Enzo looking good for more on 41 not out and Ash also in good nick on 21 not out, the pair each batting with authority, skill and technique which went on to please, if truth be told, both sets of spectators.

Enzo cruised past a very fine half century with shots all round this splendid maintained ground, Ash not so much matching his colleague run for run as complementing the quality being displayed before a decent sized crowd, Enzo plundering 2 fours and a mighty 6 off one over, Ash content with stroking runs and the odd 4 off anything which remotely approached a scoring opportunity.
Farsley's score moved seamlessly to 150,160,170,180, and 190, eyes now being cast to how many Enzo needed for his third century of what has already been a fine season for this young man. The scoreboard gave the answer that Farsley were on 199 and Enzo needed 6 for his magnificent 'ton', so Ash selfishly gave the Jamaican the strike and the opportunity to leave his further mark on this excellent game.

Enzo made his mark alright – the mark being on a faraway house roof as a final big 6 won the game, gave the talented Jamaican his well earned 'ton' and Farsley the 19 points victory which might ensure an immediate return to the First Division Cricket come September 6th.

The Fat Lady's not singing just yet but the hymn sheets are being dusted off at Red 'Hot' Lane in anticipation …………….

League Table as at 26th July 2008.
Farsley (239 points), Idle (211 points), Gomersal (204 points), Keighley (198 points) Undercliffe (186 points) and Bankfoot (163 points).