Masterclass

I'm back! Did I miss much?

The first two weekends that I missed are too far back to review so we'll skim over them I think. No need to dwell on the results... But well done to Mohammad Qadeer on picking up a career best 7-47 against Crossflatts.

Now last weekend's game, that one I can discuss - if only from the scorecard! Winning the toss and electing to bat first has been a mostly successful tactic for Riddlesden this season, and that's how Saturday began. It wasn't an auspicious start, with the third wicket falling for just 35 runs on the board, but Shanny and Akeel then added 50 for the fourth wicket to set things going nicely. Then came the big partnership as newcomer Tahid Ali (57) and Akeel (who had already reached his century by this point) took the score to 233-5. A good total score that, but we were only warming up! The tail provided enough support to give Akeel the opportunity to power on to a magnificent and very nearly record breaking 212. This is an incredible score, the second highest individual score in the Craven League (ever!), contained 14 fours and 19 sixes (!!!), and should be applauded wholeheartedly. I wish I'd been there to see it! But Akeel asked me not to go overboard on him so I'll stop at that and leave it to others to call him a star...

Having concluded the innings on 373 all out, Haworth had a mighty task ahead of them. From the scores it looks like they didn't just sit back and block so fair play to them for having a go, but with two early wickets for Shanny (2-23) leaving them on 2-2 and Qaddy (3-13) clearly bowling well again, they were never really in it (ending on 140 all out). Danny picked up a couple for 22 off two overs, so presumably someone knocked him around a bit but paid with their wicket, and that man I can't mention anymore (ok, Akeel) took 2 for 20. And a big shout out to Rahim Hussain on taking his first wicket for the club! Well done Rahim. Also of note was Jamie Fullwood taking four keeping victims - two stumpings (including one off Shanny's bowling!) and two catches. This puts him second in the keeping stats for the whole league!

So, Riddlesden are in second place in the table again, but there are 4 other teams level on 25 points with us so it is very tight at the top. Several of our batters are having a phenomenal season. Qaddy and Shanny are both bowling well and taking plenty of wickets as usual, but Danny Kernan should also be mentioned as his bowling stats this season show a strong improvement on the last three years. Jamie is also having a good year behind the stumps.

So all is going well - can we keep the momentum against Sutton in Craven this week? They are bottom of the table, but we have slipped up against lowly opposition before... Surely we have learned from those mistakes though and will treat the opposition with respect and work hard to win the game rather than consider it a done deal? We'll find out on Saturday - as always, come down and support the team.