Keeping on, keeping on

Another 2-for-1 episode this week as we do a round up of our first away game of the season at Glusburn, followed by last weekend's home game against Foulridge.

The trip to Glusburn saw us take on the other promoted team from last year's division 3, and interestingly both teams sat in the top two positions in the league, so an early top of the table clash. Having won the toss, Riddlesden batted first with Kamran and Naveed opening. Things began cautiously with the first runs not arriving until the 12 ball. The rate picked up a little but then we lost Nav and Shanny in quick succession with the score 19-2. Aftab and Kamran(28) steadied the ship pushing up to 63 before the third wicket went, but as Ehsan, Aftab(31) and Akeel were all dismissed before the 20th over we looked in a little trouble at 90-6. Enter Captain Gully! Alongside a resolute Coach, he produced a captain's innings (and it wasn't just Gully who told me that - a couple of other players mentioned it to me too...) of 63 runs containing 7 fours and a six. The partnership was worth 68 before Glusburn made the breakthrough, and though we lost the last few wickets in short time we had reached a respectable 178 all out. So it was 2 runs shy of the maximum batting points, but the important thing was to get the win.

Glusburn started strongly despite losing an early wicket to Zullie, reaching 40 at a faster rate than we managed. But then Zullie struck again. Twice (finishing with 3-23) before handing over the reins to Aftab(1-18) and Coach who between them bowled 21 overs for just 47 runs and severely slowed the Glusburn rate. As they fell further behind, scoreboard pressure began to tell. Shanny was introduced to the attack and quickly picked up a brace, and having worn down the opposition Coach(3-29) took control. Ibrahim wrapped things up going for just a single and taking the last wicket as Glusburn finished 47 runs behind. Five catches in the outfield is a good fielding result too, so all in all a good win.

The home game against Foulridge took place on a scorcher of a day. The team warmed up with a bonding session re-righting the sightscreen which had blown over in the high winds earlier in the week. With that chore done it was down to work. Foulridge won the toss and quite rightly chose to bat - we would have done the same in the conditions. The grass was short and dry, so the ball was racing to the boundary. Not that the opener had much chance to utilise that, out for a duck in the 2nd over to Arfan. There were then a few shots played, many of them aeriel but evading fielders with uncanny ease. Arfan may or may not have dropped a sitter off his own bowling (I promised not to mention it - oops) but made amends with a stunning catch shortly afterwards giving Zullie a wicket. This brought one Labuschagne to the crease - an Aussie would you believe it? And he seemed to enjoy smacking the ball around with a few fours and a six, and moving the score along into the 60s in quick time. But once he was caught by Ehsan off Arfan(3-26) the Foulridge team capitulated with 5 ducks from the remaining 7 batsmen. Aftab starred with the ball picking up 5-25. Ibrahim again came on to take the last wicket, a great stumping by Naveed, and wrap things up for 103

Riddlesden began strongly, Nav scoring 2 powerful fours but then hit another attempt straight to a fielder. Shanny had the bails just flicked off shortly afterwards with the score on 22-2 to make things a little nervous - but Kamran was in imperious form smashing straight sixes for fun, with an equally aggressive Aftab at the other end. Kamran finally fell lbw having just reached his 50, but Aftab(31 no) and Ehsan saw us home comfortably in just 11 overs.

So 39 points from a possible 40, and sitting pretty at the top of the table at this very early stage. Next up is Skipton CI away. They're in 4th place at the moment but have only lost one game to date and the stats suggest they have a good bowling attack with Aneesh Babu having taken almost half their wickets including a 7-22 return against Airedale and 6-18 against Bradford & Bingley!

At home Eldwick have a local derby against neighbours Airedale. Rumour has it that a promising young umpire by the name of Stephen Bailey will be officiating this game - it will be interesting to see how this new panel umpire performs...