Cup win shows Red Lane side have survival instinct (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Cup win shows Red Lane side have survival instinct

10:45pm Thursday 16th July 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

Farsley’s Priestley Cup semi-final win over Bradford & Bingley was further proof they are capable of holding their own among the big clubs.

Ashley Metcalfe admits the young Red Lane outfit – fourth from bottom in Division One of the JCT600 Bradford League – have found it tough since gaining promotion last season.

But they have shown on their day they are capable of beating anyone.

Sunday’s win against Bingley was the second time they have beaten the high-fliers this month and follows a quarter-final success over holders Pudsey Congs and a victory earlier in the season against league champions Woodlands.

Metcalfe said: “It has been a huge step coming up from the Second Division and a big learning curve for our younger players.

“It has taken them a while to find their feet and slowly but surely they are getting there.

“For us to have already beaten Woodlands, Pudsey Congs and Bingley – they are big scalps.

“We may not play exceptionally well every week but if we have a good day, we need to make the most of it.”

Metcalfe admits reaching the final for the first time in 14 years is a massive boost for the club.

He said: “It is exciting, particularly as, apart from myself, we are a really young side.

“Some players go their whole career and never make a final.”

But Metcalfe knows Farsley must come back down to earth as they return to the more important business of maintaining their top-flight status.

They visit Saltaire on Saturday followed by games against two other sides at the wrong end of the table in Manningham Mills and Cleckheaton.

The former Yorkshire opener said: “Saltaire will be tough. They have improved on last year and produced some quality performances.

“They will be targeting us as a game to win. We go there as underdogs but we are quite relaxed with that tag.”

One player yet to perform like he can in the league is overseas player Lorenzo Inghram.

The West Indian scored runs galore in last year’s Division Two title success and Metcalfe believes it is only a matter of time before he comes good.

“In the Twenty20 matches, he has looked absolutely outstanding and been scoring runs for fun,” added Metcalfe.

“But for whatever reason he has not quite clicked in the league but the good news for us is that he will do at some stage – and when he does, someone will pay and pay quite dearly.”

A big plus for Farsley has been the form of James Lee, with Metcalfe saying: “He is an outstanding performer with big potential.

“He bowls with pace and swing and has also chipped in well with the bat.

“Yorkshire are keeping close tabs on him and that is no surprise.”

The big match of the day is at Tofts Road where fourth-placed Pudsey St Lawrence, who easily beat Farsley last week, entertain leaders East Bierley.

If second-placed Baildon were to triumph at Wood-lands and Hanging Heaton win well at home to Cleck-heaton, the reigning champions could drop into the relegation zone – an unthinkable proposition at the start of the season.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)