Win over Westwood Park propels Adwalton into top six

For the first time this season Adwalton second team found themselves in the dizzy heights of a top six position in Division Four. Although it was almost certain to only last 24hrs as Methley B were at Netherton in a Sunday fixture, it was nevertheless a small sign that progress was being made.

Despite heavy rain the night before, the pitch was covered and had dried out in the morning’s sun. It was due to this, that on a rare occasion when Captain Mark Palfreeman won the toss, he decided to bat first against a Westwood Park team that had the opportunity to leapfrog their former Bradford Central League rivals.

Graham Johnson’s poor form continued as he was caught leg before wicket for only a single run, but for once another experienced head replaced him as Ian Lindley felt his way to 15. Lindley’s dismissal brought Captain Mark Palfreeman to the crease and with remaining opener Jonathan Banks they began to move the score along. A risky run to mid-off found Banks not quite make his ground and already well into the middle order Chris Smith entered the fray. He and Palfreeman moved the score along as the spirits of Westwood clearly waned and put on a partnership in excess of 150. Smith was eventually caught off the bowling of Roger Webster for 70, but had played exactly the innings that was required to put Adwalton back on track for a competitive total. Just a few overs later, and with only twelve remaining, Palfreeman attempted to open up after reaching his second hundred of the season. But that was short lived as a slice to deep midwicket was caught on the boundary. The lower order was sent in with the instruction of swing the bat and aim for 300, and although finishing all out, they did so for 279, just twenty short of their target and holding a significant target to defend.

The Westwood Park reply got off to an impressive start as Ibrahim Taj and Abdul Quadis raced past a half century without fall. It was young Ben Allinson who stepped up with a match defining spell of bowling that eventually brought the breakthrough, as he had Taj caught for 32 and Quadis for 53. He also quickly sent back Nadeem Khan and captain Javed Khan finishing with 4 for 17 off his allotted 6 overs. With the top order removed it was simply a matter of removing the lengthy tail, all of whom were dismissed without reaching double figures.