Congs too cool for Bierley

10:23am Tuesday 26th August 2008

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Pudsey Congs cricket chairman Ralph Middlebrook has praised his players for being “cool, calm and collected” in reaching their fourth Sov-ereign Health Care Priestley Cup final in five years.

The holders defeated East Bierley by five wickets at the Britannia Ground in a contest that took over two weeks to complete because of persistent rain.

However, Middlebrook said that the delay affected Congs’ groundstaff and support staff rather than their 11 players.

He said: “Our team was up for it. However, because of all the stoppages it didn’t feel like a cup semi-final.

“There were questions about whether we would be playing or not and about whether the wicket was fit or not but the Bradford League and their officials were pretty good about it all.”

Two weeks previously, Bierley had reached 101 for three, with Gharib Razak 37 not out and captain Gavin Hamilton 29 not out.

Off-spinner Jeremy Batty soon got among the wickets to take five for 38 as the visitors were eventually dismissed for 180, Hamilton being out for 59.

Congs paced their reply perfectly, winning with three overs to spare.

Adam Patel top-scored with 40, Babar Butt scoring 35, Andrew Bairstow 34 not out and Andrew Bourke 27.

Middlebrook said; “We have had the benefit of having slow left-armer Glenn Roberts and off-spinner Jeremy Batty this season but Bierley are a fine side.

“What we weren’t expecting was having wicket-keeper Greg Wood and Lee Goddard (also a wicket-keeper) bowling against us and Gavin Hamilton keeping.

“In the Bradford League, some bowlers can have success one season but batsmen work them out in the second season.

“But it is difficult batting against someone you have not faced before, especially if you think ‘I shouldn’t get out to this bowler’.

“However, Congs played in a very cool, calm and collected manner, and you won’t find a better captain in the history of the Bradford League than Matthew Doidge, and it would be great if he finished his career with us.

“Also, people keep saying that Babar Butt is retiring but we aren’t saying that because we know how well he can bat.”

Waiting for Congs in the final at Bradford & Bingley CC on Sunday, September 14 are Woodlands, who defeated Cleckheaton by ten wickets in their semi-final and have now reached five Priestley cup finals in six seasons.

However, Congs beat them in both the 2004 and 2005 deciders.