Dragon Slayers
A team won the game on Saturday. Not individuals - though there were many individual performances of note - it was a unified team pulling together and fighting for one another that saw Riddlesden record their first win of the season. And at the expense of high flying, division leaders, Cononley Cricket Club no less! It was nervy, tense and gripping at the end, but Riddlesden thoroughly deserved the victory and looked the better team on the day.
The game began in a light drizzle with Cononley put into bat after Riddlesden won the toss. Tight bowling kept the scoring down initially, but after the first wicket fell (to a catch from Ibrar - a sign of things to come) a strong second wicket partnership formed with both players scoring half centuries. At the halfway point, Cononley had a very healthy looking 101-1 and seemed set to score a very large total. But they hadn't reckoned on the bowling performances of Mohammad Shahnawaz (3-30 off 9 overs), Mohammad Qadeer (3-31 off 8.5) and Danny Kernan (3-44 off 11), backed up by catches galore. After weeks of drops, we suddenly looked magnificently safe under the high ball. Ibrar, Shanny, Akeel, Danny and three for Jamie! The ground fielding was excellent too, Rahim gave chase to everything that came his way, Bob and Steve used their footballing skills to great effect stopping certain boundaries without care for their own wellbeing, Akeel and Danny closed out anything near them. Added together, this fielding, catching and bowling performances resulted in Cononley being bowled out for 175
Given recent batting returns, this was still a decent target for Riddlesden to chase. Qadeer fell early, but Dale Pinkerton (47) and Mick Cryer (12) batted sensibly to build a platform. With the run rate required climbing somewhat as we approached halfway, Shanny's arrival at the crease was just the tonic. He smashed three sixes and two fours in a brief but energetic 26 that not only put us back on track, but seemed to completely demoralise Cononley. Steve Kernan(22) and Akeel Rashid (39) then kept the momentum going with big hits and clever running. A special mention for Akeel who played a fantastic and intelligent innings, playing the anchor role for both Shanny and Steve, then going on the offensive once they were out - it was exactly the right way to play.
Having edged closer and closer to the target, things were getting tense. Ibrar Ali (16 not out) and Jamie Fullwood (5 n/o) picked off quick singles as everyone at the pavilion counted the remaining score down. As the figure need reached single figures, everyone hoped for a streaky four - and it duly came from an edge to the vacant third man area. Five needed became four, then Ibrar glanced the ball between two despairing fielders who both dived and missed it. Both batsmen ran hard, with Ibrar pushing Jamie for a third to tie the scores. There was then a short delay whilst Jamie was resuscitated... before he hit the winning run!
Cue celebrations!
So that was the victory we craved. A fine batting performance, an excellent bowling performance, and a good attitude from all. I should also point out that I was right the other week, catches do win matches. We took all our opportunities whilst Cononley dropped at least two chances. That made all the difference. But who cares - we won!
The dragon I referred to in the title isn't in reference to Cononley cricket club but a metaphor for ourselves. In particular the undefinable problem we've had all season in being unable to combine all aspects of the game together in any given match, and the persistent atmosphere of being incapable of winning. This week it all gelled, and has shown the team is capable of winning. In beating the table-toppers, we can beat anyone. I hope that the dragon of defeat has been well and truly slain, and now we can kick on and escape the relegation zone. Keep battling slayers!