What a Duff(ey) Game

Bradley do seem to bring the sunshine. After playing at their ground on one of the hottest days of the year, last week they brought the sun to us on a surprisingly glorious day. Perfect weather for cricket in fact. It was shame we couldn't really provide any...

Electing to bat first, and with instructions to 'just bat sensibly and accumulate a reasonable score', we lost our first wicket on just 5 to an excellent delivery. Things rapidly deteriorated as a badly judged second run attempt resulted in a needless runout. Then John Duffey, a former Riddlesden player and friend of the club (to be re-assessed...), turned in a perfect bowling display (8-26) taking our last 8 wickets and bowling us out for just 58.

A quick turn-around was agreed as we hadn't even reached the drinks break, let alone tea time. This allowed our bowlers to try the impossible. Danny Kernan (2-13) picked up a couple of wickets, and Bob Morrisroe (0-6) bowled economically, but we were never in the game. Bradley eased to a straight forward win, rubbing salt in the wound by hitting (and losing!) the last two balls for six to wrap up the victory.

And we still hadn't officially reached tea!

The picture is very simple now. Two games to go - to avoid relegation now we must win both matches. It is a trip to Skipton CI this week. Unfortunately the weather does not look good for Saturday. If the weather gods are kind, and the fates allow us some luck, this is a winnable game.

If we do, it's game on for the last weekend. If we lose or the game is abandoned, we look forward to trips to new grounds next year and attempt to bounce back at the first time of asking. But let's make the last weekend mean something!