Pudsey St Lawrence C.C.

The Under 11s fell to their second league defeat of the season being beaten by just three runs by Idle at Tofts Road on another grey and bitter Sunday morning. Idle avenged their first day defeat at the hands of the Under 11s winning a close fought contest which went to the very last ball. Idle's victory saw them push Saint Lawrence down to third place in the Central Section of the Junior League denting the U11s title aspirations.

Idle won the toss and got off to a flying start when Henry Scott was caught behind off Dalladay. Henry (12) and fellow opener Harrison Emmet-Lee(7), clawed the score back to 215-1 at the end of the fourth over. Cameron Harding (12)continued his run of good form and with Deep Sirohi (5) took the score to 228-2 at the halfway stage. Owen Bailey (3) was extremely unlucky to be run out early in his innings and together with John Pearce the third pair nudged the total to 230-4. Josh Priestley again (16) batted positively and with Tom Frankland the final pair saw the total to 250-5. Although Josh and Tom restored some respectability to the score this total looked vulnerable. Once again the loss of too many wickets looked as though it may prove costly.

In reply Pudsey made a great start when Harrison-Emmet-Lee took a sharp catch behind the stumps dismissing Lewis off Tom Frankland to peg Idle back to 193-1 early in their reply. Pudsey's bowled with characteristic accuracy and at the halfway stage only one run seperated the two sides. When Josh Priestley bowled Arjan Punai Idle slipped back to 221-2 and a tight finish was in prospect. Idle's third pair only added one run to the total but crucially didn't lose any more wickets. Going into the last four overs Idle needed 21 to win the game and their experienced last pair of Sam Rashida and James Smith looked composed going about their task. Idle went into the last over with the scores level with the home supporters willing Tom Frankland to take the wicket that would steal the game for Saint Lawrence. Tom contained Idle to just three singles but the elusive wicket just didn't come and Idle clung on to take the game by three runs. Once again the U11s had bowled well but losing careless wickets cost them this game.

There was early alarm at the Club when it was realised that Jackie Pearce hadn't arrived in the kitchen to make the bacon butties and teas. As all regular readers of this column are aware few issues affect junior cricket as fundamentally as not having bacon butties for the supporters to feast on. Your correspondent can exclusively reveal that Mrs.Pearce had single-handedly attempted to drink all the beer in North Yorkshire whist at a wedding reception in Beadale the night before. Jackie eventually arrived late at the Club clutching a six pack of Tennants Extra Strong, shouting her own version of 'On Ilkley Moor Bah Tat' whilst clutching a giant yellow banana. A specially conveened meeting of the Junior Committee will decide her future.


Pudsey Saint Lawrence U11s: Henry Scott, Harrison Emmet-Lee (wicket keeper), Cameron Harding, Deep Sirohi, Owen Bailey, John Pearce (captain), Josh Priestley, Tom Frankland.