Woodlands waiting on Safraz decision

4:08pm Thursday 21st August 2008

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Woodlands are still hoping that their overseas player Safraz Ahmed will be available for the rearranged Sovereign Health Care Priestley Cup final.

The decider should have been on Sunday but the other semi-final between East Bierley and Pudsey Congs is still in its infancy, despite the contest starting 11 days ago.

Wet weather then and since has left Bierley stranded on 101 for three after 31 overs, with the contest now due to resume on Sunday (noon), with Bank Holiday Monday as a reserve date.

If the contest isn’t finished by then, however, the match will go back to evening play.

Woodlands, meanwhile, managed to finish off Cleckheaton on the day and are waiting for their opponents to emerge for the rescheduled final on Sunday, September 14 at Wagon Lane (11am).

Phil Godfrey, Woodlands’ league representative, said of Ahmed: “The original intention was for him to go home after the league title was settled but this was before the Priestley Cup final was rearranged.

“His season in Pakistan isn’t due to start until after September 14 but we haven’t spoken to him yet about whether he is staying on for the cup final. However, we would hope that he will.”

The decision to postpone the final was taken by the JCT600 Bradford League’s board of management after play at the Britannia Ground was ruled out for a ninth successive day.

League chairman Graham Reid said: “These are exceptional circumstances and the board have had to take into account many factors.”

The final, incidentally, will be played in white clothing with a red ball.

Woodlands, who lead the table by 24 points, are at Bradford & Bingley on Saturday, while second-placed Congs entertain Hanging Heaton.