The Diocese of Leeds cricket team have started the new season as they mean to go on. For the past two years the team have been in the top flight of diocesan teams reaching the semi-finals of the Church Times Cricket Cup last year and the final in 2016.
Last week they started their 2018 campaign in style. But their captain, the Revd Phil Arnold of Calverley, warns that their next opponents may be made of sterner stuff. They play last year’s finalists, the Diocese of Lichfield on June 4th.
“On a lovely afternoon in leafy Romiley near Manchester , Leeds won the toss and elected to bat” reports Phil.
“Carew started in fine style and continued to an unbeaten 100 with 18 fours and two sixes. He was joined by Bavington [the Revd John Bavington] who raced to 101, an innings that included five sixes.
“Earnshaw raced to 32 and others supported well. Razzle was the pick of Chester (and Liverpool) ’s bowlers picking up 4 wickets. Leeds ended on 276 from 30 overs.
“In reply, Chester fought well, with Goodwin taking it to the attack with a feisty 33 (five fours and a six), Page who anchored the innings with 66 and Corbett with 31, reaching an impressive 194 off 30 overs. Briggs took two for 25.
Leeds Captain, Phil says it was a high scoring match. “It’s rare for over 450 runs to be scored (and off only 60 overs) in clergy cricket and both sides produced some excellent cricket.”