The second team saw a number of changes from the previous week’s win over Bankfoot, with young players Isaac Morley (recalled from his loan at Queensbury to make his 2nd team debut on his 14th birthday,) 13 year old Monty Ramsden and 15 year old Leo Flanagan drafted in.

They played their part in a hugely entertaining game, that ebbed and flowed, providing more twists and turns than a Wes Brookes match report.

The historic ground looked a picture, credit to the Old Lane committee who have worked hard to improve the ground and spectator experience. They were rewarded with a near capacity crowd, including Pat Clough, wife of the late legend Brian who played much of his cricket at Old Lane, and former seamer Zubair Najeeb who prowled the boundary edge, bear like, throughout.

It was a big toss to win, so Drillers was delighted to make first use of a fast bouncy Jeff Hanson wicket that offered hope to the seamers, spin for the tweakers, and opportunities for the batsmen.

A steady start saw Mikey Brooke and Yusuf watchful in defence and putting away the loose ball. Brooke was the first to go, hammering a caught and bowled chance which was gobbled up, and doing his back in. “Should have warmed up properly” reflected skipper Knight, as he took a 1.30pm opportunity to sample one of the tea time samosas!

In came Morley, immediately showing tight defence and attacking prowess to keep the scoreboard moving, as Yusuf put away a couple of delicious drives. Morley could be proud of his debut, falling for a neat 17. There was a trademark brace of drives from another 14 year old George Leach, a punch of the air from Yusuf to mark his second half century on the bounce, and some tight middle innings bowling, before Knight strode out. The tea room emptied and windows on the nearby terraced houses were covered.

Cars were quickly in danger, as Knight tucked into the spin bowling faster than a Murgatroyd’s special, displaying wonderful hitting ability with five sixes, in the fastest club fifty of the season. “He’s always upset on the drive back home if his strike rate is less than 100” commented Will, as David continued to enjoy himself.

With Yusuf going for a brilliant 63, Monty Ramsden strode in and was quickly on top of the returning opening bowler, playing some delightful flicks and drives to keep the scoreboard moving. With the returning Chrissy Dyer playing his bread and butter shots, wristy pulls and drives, The Villagers closed on 214. Competitive was the tea time consensus. Pretty good tea as well, with chips a bonus.

Another two teenagers, Waleed Raja and Connor Butterworth, were rewarded for tight opening spells with wickets and, backed up by fine ground fielding from the young team, the visitors were in the ascendency. Dyer was anything but behind the sticks and things were going well. Leo and Sir Marcus Kelly found turn and late bounce to get deserved wickets, whilst Yusuf bowled tight middle order overs. The hosts were up on the pace and behind on the wickets.

At the second drinks interval 90 were needed, 17 overs to go and six wickets down. There was suddenly a ripple round the ground, than turned into a cheer as news filtered through of a big wicket at Wakefield Road “It’s Beefy, the Bee has made the breakthrough” shouted Rambo, phone in hand, as players celebrated their comrade’s big moment. Sadly, for Bee it turned out to be a scorecard error.

Back on the field, there was more drama as experienced first teamer Adam was getting the home team close, but when he holed out from Kelly, Drillers snaring the catch, and Waleed got another breakthrough, the arm wrestle had swung back the other way.
There couldn’t be more drama, could there? Oh yes! 24 needed, a Yusuf leg stump half volley, pads hit, two runs. Only 22 needed. Wait a minute, the umpires finger was up. Gasps all round. “Looked to be just clipping leg stump” mused one supporter. The replays were inconclusive.23 needed, then more drama with 20 flayed runs coming from the next over, as Lane sensed victory. Two off Yusuf’s first ball, then dot, dot. Tension. Then a low full toss, a bat swing and Flanagan, summoned up to deep gully, grabbed a stinging catch. A tie, 214 runs each, lots of great cricket. “A fantastic advert for premier league second team cricket” said Jeff Morley. Hear hear.

With 7 teenagers in the team, the players can be chuffed with their efforts. Everyone played their part and did the club and themselves proud. It was equally as dramatic as the twos last tie, about five years ago to the day, on a sun kissed afternoon at Yeadon. Four of the players from that day, Dyer, Kelly, Knight and Brooke had played in both. The game had been tied but to coin a cliché, it was cricket that was the winner.

After the game Dyer said: “Just thrilled to be back, really enjoyed it. I thought my glovework was good for the first half, then I got a bit tired, but in general I was pleased with how it went. Tied matches really put you through the mixer! I have only just recovered from the last one! Credit to the lads, the young players were superb and shows the future of the club is bright. Pigeon holed gems who are first team players of the future. I hope I can be back on the park again this season and great to get a stop off in on the way home for a celebratory pint or two. I have kept working on my game in excited preparation for this moment and loved every minute.”

Final thought: Bowling Old Lane is a club at the heart of the local community and have worked really hard to enhance their facilities and develop a ground to be proud of. There was the sense of a club in a good place, with a decent crowd and good people running the show. It was a proper day’s cricket, played hard but in an excellent spirit, and both sets of players can be proud to have played their part in a memorable game.