Positivity!
The weekend saw two matches on consecutive days and both provided different sets of positives and different results.
Saturday was the league game against close league rivals Oakworth 2nds. Going into the match we had high hopes, but at the same time had quite a few players unavailable due to the World Cup game at Headingley (don't worry - they were watching, not playing...)
Oakworth won the toss and batted first with Bradley Powell racing to a fifty in no time at all. A big score was certainly on the cards as Oakworth were scoring at around 8 per over. But with Powell's dismissal to an excellent diving catch from debutant Mohammad Chowdhory, things turned Riddlesden's way. The fielding perked up (catching was very good this week), the bowling became tighter and wickets began to fall regularly. Still the score grew higher but with 3 wickets from Chowdrhory, and two apiece from Gully and Biggy, hopes were high that we could restrict them to under 150. Alas despite Akeel mopping up the tail with 3 wickets of his own, the lower order were able to take the score to 186 all out.
Riddlesden began well with Steve Kernan (32) and Chowdhory (39) looking impressive, Unfortunately 3 wicket went down for 6 runs in the middle order and despite some nice cameos from Javid, Danny and Biggy late on, Riddlesden eventually succumbed for 153. Still, this was our best score of the season, with a depleted squad, without any contribution from our big hitters and despite having a large total to chase. Better still though was the response in the field to that early Oakworth onslaught - heads didn't drop and we clawed our way back into things in stifling heat that drained everyone severely.
On to Sunday and a T20 cup match against Hepworth & Idle. Again we lost the toss and this time were put in to bat. Before we knew it, we were three wickets down with just 12 runs on the board. It was a difficult day with the bat! Akeel (13), Gully(12), Husnain Zia(12) and Mick(11) all got starts but couldn't kick on. Only Ibrar looked comfortable, nudging the ball around nicely to finish 14 not out, but the total score of 88 all out simply didn't feel good enough.
How wrong I was. Quite possibly the best bowling and fielding display of the season followed. All of the bowlers played beautifully, the fielding was strong and accurate, and the team worked together as a unit. Other than a second wicket partnership of 38, Hepworth had no answer. Despite a boundary off the last ball they could only manage 82-9 meaning Riddlesden progress to the semi-finals against Embsay CC
So there we have it. A defeat, but a valiant one, and a win that built on the previous day's result! Will this be the turning point of the season. This weekend we travel to bottom side Haworth needing to win to start applying some pressure on those teams above who are also struggling.
At home on Saturday we have a local derby as Eldwick face Crossflatts - should be a good game and the forecast is good again - dry, sunny and warm. You know where we are!