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SILSDEN 17 JULY AT HQ
After the drama of last week at Calverley we now entertained Silsden, who last week started their fight against relegation with a win at Steeton. It was their first of the season. The skipper won the toss and after a rain delayed start we were in the field for a 42overs a side match. With Fawad having to withdraw late due to family, we had a new look side, with another veteran Pete Murden taking the keepers gloves and C Williams making his league debut. A steady bowling display from Noddy and a rewarding won from the skip saw Silsden all out for 130. Noddy having figures of 2 for 59 off 21, and skip having 8 for 65 of 20.4. P Binner top scoring with 41.
We started our innings and we lost a steady flow of wickets, again some bad umpiring but also some poor batting by us were our downfall. Only Luke again showing some resistance with a fine 51 but was then run out, when people, level with his end ,said his bat was passed the stumps and body well over the popping crease. But we were all out for 97 and Silsden leapfrog over us in the league. Well it’s Steeton away next and we need to do a Silsden and kick start the second half of the season.
CALVERLEY AWAY 10 JULY 2010
Today we found ourselves in a relegation fight at fellow strugglers Calverley. After his good run with the coin, the skip lost the toss and as expected we were batting. But we again had a bad start with Drucie out for 1, a steady partnership then began to stabilise the innings until Luke was out for 24, via the keeper to 1st slip, a few partnerships again started but did not flourish, with Fawad top scoring with 32 and Noddy 27, as we made 160 for 9.
Calverley had a steady start and we took our first wicket at 22, again though the innings mirrored our own with a few small partnerships and then the loss of a wicket. Calverley finished on 150 for 9 and try as we might we could not get that final wicket. Fine spells from our own spin twins almost got us there, Luke took 4 for 43 off 16 and Faz 2 for 14 off 6. All in all a good day for us and 4 valuable points. This leaves us 7 points clear of the relegation zone.
Next up is bottom club Silsden at HQ.
BILTON AT HOME 3RD JULY 2010
Today we welcome league leaders Bilton to HQ. After his third toss win on the spin (get the pun) the skipper inserted Bilton. After a good steady start Bilton lost there first wicket at 75. The strength of Bilton is there batting and it showed, as we battled in the field they made steady progress to eventually reach 245 for 8, Noddy and Fawad bowled well to finish with four wickets each. Two of the batsmen making fifties and P Cannings making an unbeaten 48 in 24 balls.
So our innings started, and unfortunately it started the same way as last week with the early loss of Luke for 2, but a steady batting display with contributions from Fawad 29, Jason 23, Maz 39 and an unbeaten 27 from Danny saw us hold out for a well earned point. This was a much improved batting display, showing the fight we will need to stay in the division. P Timmens having bowled 25 overs for 3 – 57 for Bilton. This puts us 5 points ahead of the relegation zone going into the next two matches, this is going into the next two matches against the teams below us. This starts with Calverley away next week.
ILLINGWORTH at HOME 25TH JUNE 2010
On a fine Saturday afternoon we welcomed Illingworth. The skipper won his 2nd toss on the bounce and we were in the field. With the oldest swingers in town opening we got off to a steady start. With excellent outfield cricket and tight bowling we managed to bowl Illingworth out for 161, the spin twins of Fawad, 4 and Luke 2, doing a great job in tandem. But a mention has to be made of Will Murray, who is quickly becoming our golden arm, his 7 over spell producing 2 for 18.
Now came the batting, no worries after last week I hear you say, well we lost the prolific Luke for only 7, and a steady flow continued, with only Fawad 30, Jason 23 and Drucie 17 making any sort of score. Good bowling and catching yes, but it has to be said some CRAP shot selection as well counted for our downfall. At the halfway point we are third from bottom and only 6 points above the relegation zone. But next week is a new start and we welcome league leaders Bilton to HQ.
KNARESBOROUGH AWAY on the 19TH JUNE 2010
We travelled to Knaresborough and believe it or not the skip won the toss and we were in the field. Scott and Hanif opened but it was Luke Waters who started the wickets falling. He produced an outstanding run out with a direct hit and when Scott bowled the no 3 Knaresborough found themselves at 13 for two. Then developed a partnership by their aussie and young ( 15 ) Tattersall, this lasted for 65 runs until Luke had Tattersall LBW. This brought Corcoran to the crease and after a slow start they gradually built a good partnership, with some big hitting towards the end Knaresborough finished on 231 for 3, with aussie Karageorgeiou finishing on 121 not out and Corcoran on 84 not out, a partnership of 153.
We started our innings with Drucie and Luke again proving to be a good partnership, and we started with a 77 opening stand, the third stand of 50 or more in three innings together for these two. Drucie being the man out for 39, this brought Fawad to the crease, and as at Silsden he and Luke batted very well indeed. Good enough in fact that with 12.2 overs left we had reached 235 for 1 and a well deserved win. Fawad finishing on 52 not out but it was Luke who stole the show again, with a superb innings of 140 not out. This was off 110 balls and he batted for 135 mins, hitting 24 fours and one maximum. Next week we are at HQ to Illingworth and it is the halfway point in the system.
FOLLIFOOT AT HOME 12TH JUNE 2010
Today’s visitors at HQ are Follifoot CC. On a sunny day we were batting first again, change the coin skipper, A good opening partnership of 70 by Drucie and Luke could not foretell what was to follow. At 94 for 1 we were looking at 200+ but we decided to go another route and were all out for 122, yes that is correct, 9 wickets for 28 runs. Good bowling, bad umpiring and bad shots mixed together were the course. A very quick spell by Follifoots Oral Blackford, with 4 for 22 was our main downfall, only Drucie with 30 and Luke with 50 scored any significant runs, Luke now passing 500 league runs this season.
We took to the field and with a spirit of never say never we made Follifoot work very hard for the runs, they had to fight for everything as our fielding was sharp and catching very good. Put this together with a much improved bowling display and we had them 8 down with 9 still required. But it was not to be, two lusty blows from Blackford ended the match. The skipper ending with figures of 3 for 40 off 20.4 overs, Next up an away trip to Knaresborough.
BOLTON VILLAS AWAY 5TH JUNE 2010
After the rained off weekend the first X1 travelled to promoted side Bolton Villas. After the skippers usual coin call we were batting and another new partner for Luke, this time Mr Druce got the call. A steady confident start saw us reach 59 before the first wicket fell, Luke for 38. At dinks we had reached 63 for 2 with Druce’y going for 20. Then our batting problems off the last few games came back and a steady flow of wickets saw us at 123 for 9 with only a 9 ball 21 from Noddy brightening the gloom. But along came BATTER Scott and with another red inker from Jimmy Atkinson off 12, we finished with 155 for 9. The skipper finished with a fine 19 not out of 13 balls. Two old Esholt players coming back to do well against the new TPE, with Mike Oldfield taking 4 for 53 and Steve Ryder 3 for 26.
With only a low score to defend we needed a good start in the field, a hard low chance to slip of opener Margerison of the bowling of Scott went down, this set the session as edges went passed the inner field and ran away for four. The Villas batsmen making use of a quick outfield with boundaries galore, Margerison taken advantage the most with 13 fours in an innings of 57, and Hawksworth backing him with 7 fours and 1 six in 40 not out leading Villas to a 5 wicket win. Next up is Follifoot at HQ and a much needed improved performance from all of us is required.
OLICANIANS 22ND MAY 2010
Another away day for the firsts, this time at promoted side Olicanians. On a fantastic summers day the skipper lost the toss and we were in the field. With Noddy and Mike opening the attack a steady flow of wickets followed and with good bowling from Luke, Olicanians found themselves at 153 for 8 with 5 overs to go. Luke was replaced by the skipper and at 168 – 9 he started the last over, 20 runs later and the innings came to an end at 188 – 9 and a reasonable day day in the field by TPE, with Druce’y being the outstanding fielder today.
We started batting with a steady opening stand of 23 and we had a stand of 36 for the 3rd wicket but these were the only highlights of a poor batting display, with Luke being the top scorer with 45, having been given out caught behind, when even the opposition said he missed it by inches but they didn’t call him back. Maz was the only other batsman to get past 12 and ended with 30. with several batsmen being out to silly shots we could only muster 154 all out and another away day ends in defeat. Next up is promotion chasing Harden at HQ.
ILKLEY AWAY 16th MAY 2010
Sunday was cup day and the firsts were away at Ilkley, and on a fine day we were once again batting first, but this time at the skipper choice. We once again found ourselves in trouble at 35 for 5 with only Danny Groom’s 10, the only double figure score from the first 5. Noddy with 21 then a very good partnership of 59 by Will Murray and James Druce saw us reach 146 all out, Will finishing on 22 and James on 43.
Ilkley got of to a slow start against good bowling from Noddy, Mick Maz and Fawad and at 94 for 7 we were in with a good shot at victory. But a good eighth wicket partnership from Wheeler and Wilson saw Ilkley home with 3 wickets and 3 BALLS left.
UPPER WHARFEDALE AT HQ ON THE 15th MAY 2010
We started with the skipper losing the toss and guess what, we were batting first.
Phil and Luke opening, and this time we lost an early wicket, Phil gone for 5. We then proceeded to lose wickets at regular intervals, Luke going for 17, and at 79 for six we were in trouble, Jason and Jimmy then put on a valuable stand of 35 to steady the ship. We were eventually all out for 140, a low score compared to recent weeks. Upper Wharfedale were soon in trouble, Noddy and Mick combining well and with only 2 scores of over 20 they were all out for 112, Noddy’s figures were 18 – 3 – 56 – 7 and our one calfed skipper had 17.1 – 4 – 42 – 3to see us to 6 points.
We travel to promoted side Olicanians next week 22nd May 2010.
Steeton - Home 8 May
Another Saturday and the firsts are back at headquarters with the visitors being Steeton. On a very windy and cold day the skipper won his first toss of the season and Steeton were inserted to bat.
A steady opening saw Steeton get to 33 before the first wicket fell to Mick, then the next batsman retired hurt, followed by OUR skipper, old war wounds catching up and he had to leave the field with an injured calf. A late hitting session saw Steeton post 204 for 6, a poor fielding display with 6 dropped catches did not help the efforts of Noddy and Maz, Noddy bowling through and Maz doing 16.4 overs, in the attempt to slow the onslaught.
Tong Park Esholt then started their reply. A steady opening partnership saw us reach 46 for the first wicket, but a steady flow of wickets followed, until Jason joined the inform Luke at the crease, these two then proceeded to put on 72, and take us to touching distance of a win, but Jason went, and with just 13 runs required Luke was out for 113, his 3rd century in his last 3 knocks in the league. The next two wickets went on the same score and Steeton had won by 12 runs. A very good spell of medium pace bowling by aussie Grant McDonald proving the winner, 24.4 – 6 – 89 – 8 .
HQ again is the venue next Saturday as we welcome Upper Wharfedale in the league, then on Sunday we travel to Ilkley for the cup.
Silsden - Away 1 May
Another Saturday and the first X1 band wagon rolled into Silsden CC.
After the skipper did his usual thing we were batting again. Phil and Luke again opened for us, and after a fine display of opening batting, running the singles and putting away the bad ball, plus a few dropped chances, put on an opening stand of 108, Phil being out for 39
This brought Fawad to the crease with Luke. Only rain was going to stop these two today, even that was only a minor interruption, with increased tempo and power the two put on a partnership of 150 in 15 overs, yes that’s 10 an over. Luke again gaining 3 figures, ending with 136 not out, 132 balls, 17 fours and 5 sixes. Fawad ended 72 not out, but it was the power of his hitting that was great to see, his innings came of 44 balls with 5 fours and 3 sixes.
By the end Silsden had 9 men boundary riding, this batting display allowed the skipper to declare at 258 for 1 after 45 overs giving Silsden 5 overs and keeping the match a full game points wise. We took the field and with the score on nought Noddy struck, and fourteen runs later a good piece of fielding between the Fawad and stand in keeper Luke ran out the second batter. From here on in for the rest of the match it was the Nadeem Hanif, or Noddy to his team mates, show. He was about to be changed with us trying to get another breakthrough when he struck with the last ball of his 9th over. From there, there was no stopping him and he finished with figures of , 18 – 5- 59- 7, this included Noddys 3rd Hat trick for Tong Park Esholt.
He was the only bowler though to get among the wickets and with a quick 45 from aussie Corey Jacobs, and a stuben 33 from Matt Shuttleworth Silsden hung on to end on 143 for 8 off 46 overs. Just as a note for the future Will Murray made his debut and after fielding well the skipper gave him a spell with the ball, 3 – 1 – 8 – 0, so well done Will. Band wagon back at HQ next, as we welcome Steeton to Esholt Lane.
Calverley - Home 24 April
Saturday saw the Firsts at home to local rivals Calverley, they were one of the two sides relegated sides last season. It was also the first match at HQ this season. So on a sunny but windy afternoon the skip did his usual toss and we were batting ( two losses out of two skip change the coin), new opening pair Phil Hanson with Luke this time. We got of to a steady start and by the 10th over were 27 for 1 (Phil for 16).but with Luke going on his merry way the score progressed along, new player Fawad Maqsood hitting 19 on debut, Maz 36, and Noddy 37, all stayed with Luke who when out had hit a magnificent 124, with 14 fours and 4 maximums, off 118 balls and having batted for 178 mins, allowing us to reach 260 for 8 at the close. Calverley started their reply very slowly and it soon became evident to all watching that their only target was 195 and two points, but with good innings from Steven Alred 35, Imran Mirza 62 and Julian Thornhill 52, this was achieved finishing on 198 for 6. In the field we kept at the task very well, Luke standing in for the missing Taylor as keeper had a very good display including one catch any keeper would have been proud of and no byes. Junaid took an absolute blinder to see the back of top scorer Mirza, but even the use of the oldest swingers in town, Noddy, Mick, and Maz could not get us all 10 wickets. Mick had two, Maz two and Gareth Wilkingson two, so a solid display in the field so us gain our first points of the season, 4, and the bandwagon rolls on to the other relegated side Silsden, away next.
Bilton - Away 17 April
The 2010 got under way with a visit to Bilton in Harrogate, the skipper lost the toss and we found ourselves batting. After 5.5 overs the score stood at 7 for 4, all four being ducks. But with Danny standing firm through all of this he started the comeback with first Gazza and then Noddy. But with the end of these parnerships we were all out for 90 in 35.1 overs, Noddy top scored with 27, Gazza 14, and Danny a great reargaurd effort for 17. Bilton started there innings but got off to a bad start as well, losing their first wicket for 0, and were 17 for 4, but a steady knock by overseas Jahred Leggett saw them get to 54 before Gazza struck to get him, 3 more wickets fell but some long handle hitting got Bilton home, TPE 's evergreen opening bowlers of Noddy and the skipper Mick were in the wickets again, 3 to Nod and 4 to Mick. Overall a fighting fielding performance but a disappointing batting one saw us start the season with a defeat. Roll on next week first match at HQ against local rivals Calverley.
