Moving on up!
Yet another away game for the club last Saturday, the 4th in 5 games! This time it was the turn of Bradley to face the us, would last week's defeat at Crossflatts prove to be just a blip or a sign of things to come?
Bradley won the toss and for the first time this year we found ourselves fielding first. Captaining the side again in Bob's absence, Zain made full use of his bowling options as seven players took their turn with the cherry. Shanny (2-35) was the pick of the bowlers with the returning Bilal Bashir also picking up a couple of wickets. But all the bowlers performed well - Mohammad Qadeer (17 off 8 overs) and Danny Kernan (26 off 8) kept things tight, and I'm informed Akeel Rashid bowled particularly well and was unfortunate not to get a better reward. The fielding too was good, with Mick Cryer getting a runout and Jamie picking up another stumping. Bradley stuck to their task though and thanks to 83 from Frank Wilkinson managed to set a decent total of 173-5
Given the scores in the first three matches, we should have been brimming with confidence chasing the target. But perhaps the defeat had knocked us back a little. Steve Kernan departed without scoring, but Mick (20) kept Qaddy company as the latter continued to impress. Akeel scored a nice 30, Qaddy finally succumbed for 59, but Shanny would see us home surely? No - first baller for the big hitter which left a tricky 50 required for victory. Zain informed me that he was struggling early on, but that's where Ibrar Ali showed his class, guiding and talking Zain through the bad patch and taking control of the partnership. Eventually Zain found his rhythm and the pair completed the victory (Ibrar 20, Zain 26) with plenty of overs left.
Job done, another win in the record books. We've now won more games than the whole of last season! Third place in the division just 2 points behind the leaders Skipton CI- who we face this weekend at home! A win this weekend would make the rest of the division sit up and take notice. I suspect many of them already have...
Plaudits go to everyone this week I think. I've heard lots of good stuff about most of the team. Qaddy is obviously in glorious form with the bat. Shanny is picking up wickets regularly, Akeel's batting is as strong as last year, and his bowling has improved. As has Danny's from what I hear. Jamie is gunning for the wicket keeper title. Zain picked up his first win as captain, Ibrar showed a cool head, etc. Biggy, Rahim, Steve - all played their parts too, even whilst carrying injuries.
A quick note on Tuesday night's Keighley Cup game at Crossflatts too. A 16 over per side affair, Riddlesden scored an impressive 128 thanks mainly to an excellent half century from former captain Gully, with good support from Steve, Shanny Akeel and Ibrar. Captain Bob, with valuable advice from Gully and Shanny, rotated his bowlers well to keep the pressure on Crossflatts, but alas it wasn't to be as they scored the winning runs (by another former captain, Naveed!) off the final ball of the match. A defeat but a thrilling contest, and certainly no shame in losing so narrowly against a first division side!
As mentioned, Riddlesden are at home this week vs Skipton CI. Match starts at 14:00.
Sunday will see us in action at Ingrow in the cup second round.
The juniors have a home game on Thursday night (weather permitting) so good luck to them too.
Eldwick & Gilstead are just along the road at Airedale on Saturday, so they'll probably pop back after they win there :)
As Bob said last week win as a team - lose as a team. Winning's better, so keep it up Riddlesden!