Golden Success trumps Platinum Failure
Bradley were our visitors this weekend and once again, the opposition won the toss and elected bat hoping to thwart our 'bat first' policy in the belief that this would weaken our position. Very quickly they rued that decision...
Mohammed Shahnawaz and Danny Kernan shared the opening bowling and Shanny instantly took control, dismissing the Bradley opener for a platinum duck (that's being out first ball of an innings so can only happen to one player per team per game - it's rare!). Danny then got in on the act removing the next two batsmen in a spell of 2-28. Shanny (2-21) picked up his second, removing the dangerous looking David Hunt, as Mohammad Qadeer entered the fray with devastating effect. Whilst a little more expensive than we're used to seeing, Qaddy still picked up five wickets that saw Bradley crumble to 70-8. The last three batmen rallied a little, swinging their way to an extra 40 runs, but when Zain took the final wicket, Riddlesden were looking at a relatively simple 113 to win.
Steve Kernan then proved anything Bradley's opener could do, he could match - out first ball too. Two platinums in the same match - perhaps these things aren't as rare as everyone thinks! He claims that this allowed the in-form batsmen to get in on the action sooner... And so they did. Shanny (33) moved the score along rapidly before being caught in two minds - and caught on the boundary! Akeel looked imperious as he raced to 43 before also going for one two many big ones, caught looking to finish the game off with a six. And throughout, Qaddy stood firm scoring an unbeaten (and untroubled) 34. Towhid saw the team home by allowing Bradley to bowl four byes past him - excellent play!
Akeel tops the league runs again with a massive 709, Shanny is in fifth with 604, and Qaddy in 7th with 558. Bowling-wise it's Qaddy flying the flag for Riddlesden in fifth place with 38 wickets. Jamie is joint top of the wicket keeping chart with 24 victims. In division 3 only, Jamie is well clear of the bunch, and Qaddy tops the bowling whilst in the batting our three amigos are one, two, three. All pretty positive stuff!
So our eleventh win of the season keeps us in second place, still those pesky five points behind Barrowford. With Crossflatts and Bingley Congs both winning, they remain just three points behind us - though we have a superior run ratio. This weekend's match is a tough one, away at Skipton CI who put one over on us back in June. Here's hoping we extract a touch of revenge on them.
Of our nearest rivals, Bingley Congs have a tough task against Barrowford, whereas Crossflatts will expect to beat bottom team Sutton.
At home we will see Eldwick & Gilstead face Airedale in a local derby (of sorts). Hopefully the weather wil be fine and there'll be a good crowd down for the day. As always, the bar will be open...