West Yorkshire School Games

If you get chance take a look at the WYSG website through this link http://www.wysport.co.uk/know/events/wy-school-games-cricket-finals/

There are some fantastic action shots - see if you can spot anyone familiar!!

Headingley Heartbreak for Methley!!

Headingley Carnegie Stadium - Home of Yorkshire CCC

The Methley Cricket Squad

Tuesday 3rd July saw newly crowned West Yorkshire Champions, Methley, travel to Headingley to take part in the Yorkshire Asda Kwik Cricket Finals knowing that a win would take them to the North of England finals. Following last week's outstanding showing and the return of Euan Cowan to the squad, the Methley boys (Josh Neal, Harvey Walker, Liam Birrell, Euan Cowan, Ross Carrington, Joe Oliver, Luke Phillips, Finlay Rooke and Daniel Ford) were confident of doing themselves proud. Upon arriving Methley found themsevles drawn in group 1 alongside North Ferriby School (Hull), Richmond Middle School and Hunters Bar Primary School. 

MATCH 1 - Methley 277 beat Hunters Bar 218

Methley's first match saw the team put into bat and make a slow start. The opening pair of Josh and Luke batted well but were disappointed to only make 9 runs from their two overs. As the Methley team settled into their batting the runs started to flow a little easier and an imposing total of 277 was set for the opposition. Finlay and Euan adding 18, Harvey and Ross 30 and Daniel and Liam 20. With Methley knowing their awesome fielding potential the boys were very confident of defending this total and winning their first match. Some excellent bowling and fielding followed and regular wickets started to fall. Josh Neal (2), Luke Phillips (3) and Ross, Euan and Liam all taking one each. A fantastic start from the Methley team with special mention going to Ross for some devastating batting in the middle of the innings.

MATCH 2 - Methley 293 beat North Ferriby 220

Match 2 saw Methley skipper, Josh Neal, win the toss and put North Ferriby into bat. An unbelievable start followed for Methly 3 wickets in the first 3 ball of Josh's over and then 3 more for Daniel in the next saw North Ferriby lose 30 runs before they even scored a run. the rest of the bowling was well controlled and Liam added another wicket near the end of the innings. In response Methley batted excellently. With the opposition accepting defeat all too easily and some of their players not controlling themselves in the correct manner, Methley focussed on winning the game. Superb batting performances from Josh and Joe (31) and Daniel and Liam (33) meant that Methley had won their first two games and were looking strong!

MATCH 3 - Richmond 236 beat Methley 232

Approaching the final game Methley knew that only a win was good enough to see them through the semi finals. Fielding first, Methley were able to restrict their opponents to 236. Daniel taking one stunning one handed catch for a caught and bowled plus wickets for Liam and Ross meant Methley had a chance. Unlike the first two games though Methley faced a much tougher bowling attack but applied themselves well. Chasing the 236 the team batted well and lost few wickets. Going into the final pair of Daniel and Liam Methley needed 5 to win. Two fours from Liam and Daniel meant that Methley went four ahead but then with the last ball of that over a wicket meant that they lost 5 runs and slipped behind again. With six balls left Methley needed four to win! A single from Liam took the team to three behind, then two good 2s from Daniel meant that with two balls left Methley were ahead by 1 run! Victory was in sight! The fairytale ending looked like it was on. But Richmond had other ideas a wicket with the next ball put Methley back behind and with the last ball not being hit the Methley boys fell just short and were, devastatingly, out of the competition!

Despite falling just short of the semi finals the boys should be very proud of their run this year. They have played 15 games and only lost 3! In that run they have shown to be the Champions of the Brigshaw federation of schools, 2nd in the North of Leeds, 2nd in the City of Leeds finals and were able to win the West Yorkshire competition. At the end of the day Methley finished 5th in the Yorkshire competition - a hugely impressive effort! Well done boys, you were awesome. Thank you to all of the parents for taking their time to get the children there and staying to support them during the day. Hopefully next year we will be able to do just as well or perhaps...go one step further!!