DERBY MATCH

By Brian Sanderson,

With Ron Stansfield I was met at the cricket enterence by Ralph Middlebrook who was collecting admission money. So the match was Pudsey Congs against Pudsey St.Lawrence.In the excellent programme it stated . Twenty years ago that distinquished cricket journalist Matthew Engel chose to report on the Congs versus St.Lawrence clash and was heard to say it would be difficult to find a local cricket match where the game creates so much interest and passion amongst local cricket fans.

It had rain heavly over night and the pitch was damp.St .Lawrence won the toss and bowled.One of the Congs players was Andy Siddall who is the coach of Leeds Met .They played their semi-final at Loughbrough on Friday and lost in a low scoring match.

Congs were soon 5 for 75 when Andy Siddal came into bat. Apartnership of 86 with Adam Patel enabled the team to reach 203 for 7.This was a good total after the poor start. The best bowler was Garth Clough with figures of 4 for 60.

The forcast was there would be showers however none arrived but again there was a cold wind blowing.

St. Lawrence started well to be 175 for 5 with Waite scoring a excellent 82 which held the side together.St.Lawrence won the match with an over to spare but nine wickets down.It did not help that Congs conceeded 22 extras compared to 8 in the first innings.

It was the spin bowling of Roberts and Walmersley who made life difficult for the batsmen picking up four wickets. However the major wicket taker was the overseas bowler Naved taking four wickets.

A excellent match for the spectators and good value for money. Entrance fee is £1.50 for pensioners for six and half hours entertainment.