REPORT BY DRB

After the match at Cawthorne was disappointingly cancelled, Rawdon without a 3rd XI fixture very kindly & at short notice offered to host the Jesters, the 1st meeting between the clubs since 1999 when scottie was convinced the changing rooms were the other way round!

Traditionally electing to bat after winning the toss the Jesters found an excellent fast & bouncy pitch. The early stages were dominated by the Harrison Brothers, Gareth & Carl appearing together for the Jesters after too long an absence! Both players seem to have benefited from their move from the "silent brotherhood" of Norwood Green to the new pastures of Low Moor by showing improved footwork; these skills have no doubt been enhanced with numerous evenings spent dancing at Bradford's finest night clubs.

In inclement weather the Jesters found themselves with 6 wickets down for only 119 but fortunately the arrival of skipper Bell to the crease coincided with Rawdon giving their younger players a bowl. Carl Harrison with some brutal clean hitting reached his 1st half century in Jesters colours. The skipper managed to guide the innings over 200 with his 1st 50 in 3 seasons & with the help of a late flourish from Ritchie Barker, Norwood Green's token Caucasian player!

With the game arranged at such short notice no tea's were available but Pod's cunning plan to get himself out early & then sneak off to purchase some fish 'n' chips for himself & Matt (sod everybody else) worked a treat. He was however spotted 'troughing' them well away from any wandering hands. The quick turn around however did not help & his "average" opening spell with the ball was explained away by his exploits of the previous day in the 1st XI having tired him out! Some control was kept by an excellent spell (we expect nothing less) from Ritchie who ripped out Rawdon's 1st 3 batsmen including forthcoming Jesters tourist Matt McCallum who seemed delighted to have edged one through to the keeper John Wilkinson.

Scottie then began to weave his magic & picked up a 4 for including Rawdon skipper Danny Appleton who in his determination to play like a batsman did not know whether to "stick or twist". The fish 'n' chips didn't seem to affect Matt Hill who bowled 'Alf Tupper' like, a big improvement on his morning spell in the u15s.

A mention must be made of 2 youngsters, Aiden Wilson (nephew of Ritchie) on debut for the Jesters (only 2nd ever game of cricket) who fielded excellently & young Ben Morley (brother of 'Trevor Penny') for Rawdon who is surely a talent to watch out for in the future.