Ben Stokes's Ashes?
Headingley - it's got a bit of a reputation for making heroes of all-rounders. And last weekend was as good as it gets as England somehow pulled off a famous victory that I'm proud to have witnessed a few hours of.
But whilst I was sunning myself, drinking exceedingly expensive beer and jeering the Aussies at every opportunity, Riddlesden were having a bit of a belter themselves at Hepworth & Idle, and had their own all-rounder smacking a few sixes in a big knock...
Having won the toss, Gully decided batting first was the way to go on a pitch that often produces good scores. Steve and Qaddy continued their recent form and accumulated runs steadily building a firm platform. Both made half centuries (54 & 51 respectively) and as the other batsmen added to the scoreline, the total was already respectable when Gully strode out to hit a whirlwind 87 off just 46 balls, including 4 sixes - three off successive deliveries. With his rapid powerplay, a quick 20 from Mick, equally quick 21 from Faisal, and Danny finishing things off with 10 from the three balls he faced, Riddlesden ended on a highly impressive 283-9.
In response, Hepworth & Idle batted long (it was a very late finish, well after 8pm) but were never near the pace. Our bowlers stuck to their task with Faisal and Qaddy being the pick of the 6 bowlers used with a brace of wickets each, but Hepworth's ground is known as a batter's track so there were no astonishing figures there. As the overs ran out, our hosts were still a long way behind and Riddlesden comfortably won the match by 97 runs.
This win puts us well up the table in 5th place. We're not mathematically safe from relegation but will achieve that if we win this weekend's game at home against Embsay.
Having said that, the recent League Executive minutes paint a worrying scene for the Craven League with a number of clubs/teams possibly leaving over winter. We've already lost Cononley's 2nd team this season and are aware that both Crossflatts and Hepworth & Idle are in discussions to join other leagues. Now it also seems Foulridge and Barrowford are looking to play elsewhere too. There is also considerable doubt over Sandy Lane's continued participation in the league. Throw in a couple of 4th division teams who have conceded as many matches as they've actually played which leads you to wonder if they'll keep going, and we could see up to 11 teams disappear this winter - what happens to the divisional structure then? For now, we just continue with this season and see what unfolds.