Two for the price of one

Posted by Tony Hutton

Saturday 20th August
Adel v Otley and Adel 'A' v Apperley Bridge.

Back to watch my local club, Adel, my first visit since July 2nd. Nothing much has changed. The two leading bowlers Shires father and son were missing to attend a wedding and the batting was not at full strength either.

Otley started well with a quick 40 by opener Missett who was the victim of a run out mix up and what looked like being a big score failed to happen. Most of the batsmen got double figures but only Benton with 36, including a huge six into the churchyard, got much further. One of the replacement bowlers, Kirkham, who I had not seen before, bowled at a lively pace and got three wickets. Otley finally all out for 193 in 49 overs.


This meant that Adel had an extra over to bat which was to prove crucial at the end. Adel started badly with five of the top six going quickly against the opening attack of Halloran and Dobson. Number five Robinson made 32 and an eighth wicket partnership between Grey (27) and the aforementioned Kirkham (23) made Adel at least in with the chance of a draw.

However after the last pair of Robertson and Stubbs had withstood all the bowlers for six or seven overs and looked like saving the game, the final ball of the 51st over saw Robertson, the Australian, bowled by Giles and Otley took the full six points at the last gasp.

While all this was going on we took the opportunity of also watching some of the action on the adjacent pitch bwtween Adel's third team and Apperley Bridge (formerly BT Bradford) in the Dales Council league.

The visitors, a wholly Asian side, were knocking up the runs with great gusto and the players were cheering on their No.3 batsman Mohammed Kursid who reached 72 with only four overs remaining. With his teamates consistently advising him of his score he got to 96 with only one ball remaining, but sadly failed to make contact.

The final score of 241-8 proved too much for Adel who were all out for 140, despite a brave 77 from James McFarlane. We were told by one of the visiting players that this was their 24th game without defeat. They have already won the Dales Council cup and will be promoted from Division B to Division A next season. Obviously a team to watch, although they pointed out that they were unable to celebrate for at least another two hours as they are currently fasting for Ramadan.