The Steve & Bob Special Edition!
It's a bit of a departure form the usual blog this week in that, whilst our cricket match on Saturday was an excellent affair and this week's could be a stonker, the bulk of this will be dedicated to another special event taking place on Sunday!
Let's start with the cricket though. Embsay were our visitors on a damp and blustery Saturday. The pitch was looking immaculate, but earlier rain would obviously make the outfield slow early on, so it was no surprise that on winning the toss, Embsay asked us to bat first. Mick and Qaddy started steadily, but runs were hard to come by as the ball failed to reach the boundary due to the dampness. Wickets began to fall, as did rain on three occasions leading to breaks in play, and we found ourselves at 38-3. An excellent 69 run partnership between Kahsam Farooq (68) and Gully(45) then steadied things, with Kahsam playing some delightful looking shots along the way. With the tail providing good support, including a rapid 15 not out from Biggy off just 5 balls at the end, Riddlesden finished on 212-9.
Embsay responded in similar fashion in losing a couple of early wickets, but then posting an excellent 3rd wicket partnership to reach 123-3. They always seemed to be struggling to keep up with the run rate, but with wickets in hand anything was possible. Enter Zain and Qaddy once more - Zain(6-29) taking another 6-wicket haul and Qaddy(2-29) again bowling tightly in support. Embsay were ripped apart and fell to 175 all out in the gathering gloom.
This week we travel to high flying, table topping Silsden. But we're unbeaten in our last 7 games (3 abandoned to be fair) so there's no reason we can't take the game to them. At home, Eldwick & Gilstead entertain their former landlords Bradford & Bingley. All matches start at 1,30pm now as winter approaches...
Now, the other thing.
This Sunday, in the Freezing Far North where Scary Accents and Underdressed Revellers abound (you know, Newcastle!) there will be held a a trial of fitness, strength, stamina, willpower and guts - The Great North Run! And for reasons best known to themselves, two of our finest will be taking part in an effort that they possess at least one of those qualities between them!
Steve Kernan and Bob Morrisroe earlier this year decided to run the race for Riddlesden Cricket Club's regular charity - Sue Ryder's Manorlands. What spurred them on to this decision is lost in the mists of time (cough - beer) but having made the pledge they began collecting sponsorship and set about a rigorous training regime that would be worthy of an A-team montage.
In Steve's case, a very short montage with very little running...
But Bob, well we've seen no evidence but rumours have surfaced of a pasty white guy with big ears running up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art!
Joking aside, this run is over 13 miles long and whilst several of our younger gym-going players probably don't consider that excessive, I think both Bob and Steve would admit they're not in that category so this will be a real challenge. I have utmost confidence that they will succeed in running the course (well Bob will...) and return triumphant, but it won't be easy for either of them.
To that end, I think it's right and proper to wish them all the best in their endeavour, wish them a safe weekend, and hope they have a fantastic time and return with the very best of memories from the day. Good luck guys - we're all proud of you!
And I'm sure if anybody wants to sponsor them still, they'll be more than happy to oblige!