Riddlesden's Got Talent!

Wow!

Riddlesden welcomed a youthful Oakworth side this week on another bright and dry (initially) day. The opposition were a player short but having won the toss choose to ask us to bat first anyway. This would prove to be a mistake...

Steve Kernan and Mohammad Qadeer opened and eased slowly into the game with no undue alarms. With the score on 66, Steve had a moment of indecisivenessand was bowled for 38. Mick (10) joined the fray and helped build to the hundred before getting out, Qaddy was now on 50. Akeel came to the crease and batted assuredly whilst Qaddy continued to look imperious at the other end. By the time Akeel holed out after a fine 51, Qaddy had reached his first century for the club. Shanny now joined him for the closing stages and performed as we all know he can, powerfully despatching the ball to all points and reaching his own half century rapidly. Qaddy also continued to play his shots despite appearing to tire, and as the final over began he needed seven for a much deserved 150. A single left him at the wrong end, but Shanny played a simple single to give him the chance to make it, and he duly obliged with two fours to the delight of his team mates. Finishing on 152 not out and having batted the entire innings, he was one tired but happy man! On top of that, the team score was a mighty 323-3, highest score we've posted in a few years!

Having done the work with the bat, it was decided Qaddy should have a rest, so Shanny and Bob opened the bowling and kept things tight with Shanny (looking lean and on form after his knee surgery over winter) picking up an early wicket. We steadily worked our way through the Oakworth lineup, Ibrar getting a good run out with a direct hit, and Steve taking a good diving catch (nullified by dropping another later...), before Zain claimed three wickets in an over to leave the last partnership looking skywards. Because yes, the dry conditions had changed throughout the day and now rain was heavy in the air. To have the game abandoned at this stage would have been a travesty, but the risk was real. Fortunately as the first spots began to fall, Danny and Imran Kamal combined to have the last man caught out and the victory was assured.

Five minutes later the downpour arrived...

Easy to say Mohammad Qadeer was the star of the day. His 152 was assured and comprehensive. He offered no chances to the opposition and looked in complete control. To carry his bat through the full innings is special too. Everybody likes Qaddy so it was excellent to see him perform so well.

But Shanny deserves a special mention too. We all know he is competitive, but faced with a colleague approaching a milestone score he sacrificed his natural big hitting tendencies in favour of a quick single to help his teammate - a gesture everyone present applauded and a measure of him as a person.

Our friends at Eldwick&Gilstead failed in their drive to remain unbeaten, losing out against Foulridge. I recommend finding their match reports on Pitchero.com - they're quite amusing.

So after two wins on the trot, next up is a double-header with a trip to Embsay on Saturday and Crossflatts on Sunday.

Eldwick&Gilstead are at home those two days so the club will be open.

The Juniors have a game on Thursday evening, and possibly the rearranged cup game on Friday(tbc)