Let's not repeat that weekend, eh?
A bit late this week due to life getting in the way of proper sport and prevented me from attending last week, so apologies for that. Mind you, there's not a lot of good news to report on this week really. I mean, two comprehensive defeats isn't great at this stage of the season.
So, the games themselves - based entirely on the scores on Play Cricket!
The first team were up against it facing high flying table toppers (and now cup winners thanks to winning the final on Sunday), Bingley Congs 1sts. Goher Ayoub (40) and Mohammed Arshad (38) were the stand out scorers for Riddlesden, but other than Asfaq Abdul-Hamid (23) there wasn't enough support to score more than the 174 all out they ended on. This proved an easy target for Bingley as their top four batsmen polished off the required runs in just over the half way point of their innings.
The second team had higher expectations against the Congs' 2nd team though. Unfortunately, Congs scored big in their innings, ending on 204-9. Imran Mehrban finished with nice figures of 2 for 26 from his 7 overs, and there was a welcome to bowling fitness from Bob Morrisroe collecting a brace too. Riddlesden needed to bat big though, and despite a great start from Dale Pinkerton (22) and Mohammad Qadeer (45) putting on 72 for the first wicket, things went downhill from there with only Shehryar Hussain (21) and Steve Bailey (13 n/o) offering any resistance.
Fortunately, most of our fellow strugglers in both divisions also had bad days, so no ground was lost. But things are really tight at the bottom and we need both teams to step up and be counted. This is the time where we need everyone pulling in the same direction to ensure both teams retain their respective divisional positions for next year.
We have the ability, but can we pull it off? Players - it's up to you now!
Fixtures this week - again a double header with both teams facing their counterparts from Denholme.
1sts home - the opponents are well above us, but have faltered a little in recently so the chance is there. 2nds away - opponents are one win behind us, so we really need this one!