You wait ages, then two come along together...

I missed the game on Saturday - my first absence of the season - so I can only report based on the match figures and the comments provided at the club last night by certain players. So I'd like to thank the following for their input:

* Danny Kernan - best bowler, picked up the key scalps * Steve Kernan - excellent batting display and taught Shanny a thing or two * Jamie Fullwood - team's main big hitter and master tactician

The rest of the team will get the chance to shine eventually I guess...

The match itself? Well, the day dawned incredibly wet. It finished so too. But in between it dried out sufficiently for the short trip to Bingley and our mid-table opposition. After the first win the previous week, Riddlesden were buoyant, but could lightning strike twice? Having lost the toss, we were asked to bat first, interestingly Jamie says he too would probably have chosen to field had he won. Dale Pinkerton (38) and Mohammad Qadeer(10) got us off to a steady start of 37-1, followed by a slightly one-sided second wicket partnership of 31 with Mick Cryer (1). Akeel Rashid scored a nice 20, then came the big partnership between Steve Kernan(34) and Mohammad Shahnawaz(70) adding another 92 runs. The tail didn't set any records but managed to keep things ticking over to the final ball, providing us with our best score of the season - 248 all out.

In reply, Bingley Congs lost an early wicket before launching a strong counter attack with a 95 run second wicket stand. Things were progressing nicely for Bingley when Danny Kernan got the breakthrough required. Danny (2-63) and Zain Neame (2-38) then chipped away at the top end of the batting lineup to put Riddlesden in control. But with the risk of rain increasing steadily, Jamie looked to his two senior bowlers Qaddy and Shanny to wrap things up in a hurry, and Shanny responded in style ripping through the tail to finish with 6-32. Riddlesden win again - this time by 62 runs

So that's two wins on the trot. We're still bottom of the table but with all three teams above us losing, we're closing that gap. A match winning performance from Shanny cannot be overlooked, well played. This week we entertain Embsay at home. Win this one and we could be off bottom spot by the close of play Saturday.

Also, congratulations to the Riddlesden under elevens team - a second win of the season for them last Wednesday too. They have come on in leaps and bounds over the last few weeks, so well done to the players and coaches on an excellent job.

And on a different note altogether, there's a couple of charity events coming up. This Sunday the Co-op have an inter-regional softball tournament at the ground. And on Sunday 27th August we have our annual Manorlands Fun Day taking place. That's the bank holiday weekend, so make a note in your diary to come down for that.