Bats came out of belfries and broom cupboards for a great day of friendly cricket, reports Revd Phil Arnold, one of the organisers of the Northern Clergy 20/20 event held recently.
Here is Revd Phil’s full match report, which contains some strong cricketing language and perhaps a bit of spin: “On a sultry day in Leeds, three teams played out a thrilling 2020 competition, at Pudsey Congs Ground in Leeds. Leeds, Sheffield and a combined team from Carlisle and Blackburn.
At the club where VVS Laxman, the great Indian batsman plied his trade in the Bradford League, Sheffield started brightly with Ovenden and Oatridge scoring quickly. The total of 137 looked healthy on a slow wicket.
After Carew retired on 35, Leeds were struggling, but a strong middle order brought it back to within 35 runs in the final four overs. But this was not to be. However, ace Left arm off spinner Gilmour came on to take a hat-trick. Leeds were bowled out for 120.
In the second match, Sheffield shifted their batting order and enabled everyone to have a go. There were notable contributions from Gilmour (retired 35) and Graham (retired 35) who hit 26 off one over. Sheffield hit 138 in twenty overs. Sohail kept things limited with a spell of 2 for 14 alongside an economical effort from the leg spin of Brown (1 for 9 off his four overs).
Blackburn/Carlisle batted solidly, but wickets came at regular intervals. Boundaries were hard to come by as the run rate increased as they finished on a respectable 89-5. There were a couple of wickets for Sheriden.
In the final match, Leeds batted first. In a shortened 15 over match, Leeds scored 94 with Harlow taking 38 quick runs. Blackburn/ Carlisle batted steadily and knocked over the runs with an over to spare after a partnership from Brown and Fyfe, both retiring not out on 35 and 38 respectively.
It was a great day’s cricket and the hope is that in the absence of the CT Cup we can resurrect some time out in the middle, playing cricket…”