Bankfoot v Farsley

Date: Saturday, April 26
Points: Farsley: 17 Bankfoot: 5
Conditions: Weather cool and dry

It was not always easy however after the Rams had posted a modest 156 total on a damp, seamer-friendly looking wicket.

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It was newcomer Harvey Anderson who turned the game on its head however when Bankfoot replied with a remarkable 3 wickets in 5 balls stint which broke the back of the earlier spirited Bankfoot reply which saw the home disappear from a 43 for 1 score line to finish at 75 all out leaving the Rams victors by 81 run margin. Another Farsley newcomer, quick bowler Olly Howick, also bowled extremely well in taking a debut 4 for 11 in a long 14 overs shift of excellent line and length bowling, Chris Henry grabbing the other late wicket in Bankfoot's fall from grace.

The Rams arrived without skipper David Sayers who was playing a key soccer match and veteran stand in skipper Ashley Metcalf lost the toss for his side which contained six newcomers and still without new overseas signing West Indian Lorenzo Inghram.

Two of those newcomers, Anderson and Clayton, began well enough as the Rams moved solidly to 37 for no wicket but then lost 3 wickets without addition to leave a few hardy Rams followers beginning to fret a little. Anderson was the first to go after making a hardworking 16 but then fellow opener Dan Clayton (20) and third newcomer Will Kitchen (0) quickly fell in succession; it meant that Ash and Shabbs had a lot to do to recover the Rams earlier promise.

Bankfoot were playing Yorkshire seconds and Academy quick bowler James Lee and it was the young 20 year old who removed Metcalf with a full pitched delivery – Farsley 60 for 4. The home side had by this time introduced the left arm spin of Andrew Deegan who did well in keeping a tight hold on Farsley's recovery ambitions which were being fashioned now by Olly and Shabbs. When Olly departed for 11 and Rashid for 19 the Rams had slipped back again to a worrying 84 for 6 but with nearly half their 50 overs still to go there remained hope of a 150 plus total which Farley pundits felt would take some getting on a season's first outing.

Farsley's recovery, and their 150 plus target, was achieved in part however by some resolute batting from another newcomer Charlie Hall (top score 37) and yet another newcomer stand-in keeper Jonno Evans (27) moved the Ram's score to 124 before two silly run outs cost Evans and then Chris Henry for a duck after failing to ground his bat after doing the hard bit.

Bozza and Charlie eased the score to 154 however, two 6's over the sight screen being the highlights of some determined late order batting from Hall but when he was out stumped followed by Lumb who was also stumped they had to settle for a teatime score of 156, Bozza not out for 3.

Degan's 3 for 26 was the pick of Banfoot's bowling, young Lee taking 2 for 59 and groundsman Hanson 2 for 31. The other wicket taker was Greg Colehan 1 for 29.

Farsley needed early wickets but had to wait a while for them as the home side fashioned a slow but steady start to their reply. Olly grabbed Farsley's and his first wicket at 19 for 1 after 14 labouring overs and the home side had moved to a worrying 43 before Olly struck again and at 43 made a third in road to put some smiles on the Ram's and frowns on the home team's supporters' respective faces.

Harvey Anderson was introduced in to the Ram's attack and his debut got off to a remarkable start with 3 wickets in a 5 ball spell which took all the stuffing out of an already wavering Bankfoot team.

Some splendid ground fielding, keen behind the stumps glove work and a new confident stride in the Ram's steps quickly saw off was left of a demoralised home batting, Olly adding a fourth wicket to his haul and Harvey finishing with 5 for 12 in 4.3 overs of tantalising spin.

Opener Steve Curry (17) top scored for Bankfoot , South African import Von Hoesslin (15) being the only other home side's batsman to help deny the rampant Ram's bowling.

Bozza, thankfully recovered from his 2007 head injury , never even got to bowl and Farsley left the ground in high spirits and ready to welcome skipper Sayers and their new overseas all rounder to their ranks for their next game.

It is only a start and there are much bigger tests ahead but their was a wiff of more to come from the new looks Ram's side and if Bankfoot are a promotional hope (as their programme notes states) then Farsley certainly have something positive to look forward to in the weeks ahead.