Third X1 suffer defeat in play-off final
The Third X1, having won their division last week, failed to win the play-off trophy against Spen Victoria at Ossett CC. Morley battled hard against a more experienced side in failing weather conditions but fell just short as Spen recorded a 20-run victory.
Morley fielded first and opening bowling pair, Michael Davies and Matthew Dowse, produced another fine spell to have Spen at 23-4 at the end of the 12th over. Danny Wood kept the pressure on with the first change and Spen were reduced 35-6 before experienced pair Warriner and West came together to share a partnership of 73 to put a meaningful score on the board. Wood ended the game with 4-34 off 8.2 overs, Dowse 3-17 off 10, Davies 2-30 off 10 with the remaining wicket going to Matthew Davies. Spen posted 132 all out off 37.2 overs.
Morley response was made difficult by a break for rain and failing light. Ryan Dowse overcame early nerves and benefited from drop-catches to top-score with 31 while Danny Wood batted well for 24 and skipper Lee Cousens scored 17. But the rest of the side failed to get into double figures as the side scrambled to 112 all out.
Afterwards, League Secretary Malcolm Brickwood presented individual trophies and shields to both sides for winning their divisional sections and play-off winners and runners-up trophies to the competing sides. Although Morley will be disappointed to fall at the final hurdle, the players can be proud of their performances this season and their great achievement in winning the divisional section with such a young squad of players. The X1 that played in the final match were Lee Cousens, (Captain), Ryan Dowse, Matthew Rowell, Michael Davies, Danny Wood, Matthew Dowse, Matthew Davies, Alex Houghton, Matthew Fox, Jerome Austin and Jamie Abbott.
August 23rd – Carlton away
A highly motivated Morley Third X1 swept Carlton away to progress to the play-off final which is to be played at Ossett on Sunday 30th August. Bowling first, the opening pair of Michael Davies and Matthew Dowse ripped through the home side’s top order. At one point Carlton were four wickets down with just one run on the board. The pair also came back on for a second spell to wrap-up the innings with Davies finishing with 4-13 off 8 and Dowse 2-12 off 7.2 overs. Carlton stalwart Steve Cooper was the main obstacle and ended the innings with 45 not out and J Cooper also scored 34. For Morley, the remaining wickets went to Matthew Davies (2) and Alex Houghton (1) and the innings closed with a run-out on 110 after 29.2 overs. Naz Saddique made his debut for Morley behind the stumps and had an excellent first game with the gloves.
Morley’s response with the bat was just as emphatic as the bowling and required just 18.4 overs to reach their target. Openers Ryan Dowse and Matthew Rowell set about the Carlton bowling attack, defending the good balls and taking advantage of anything short or wide. The pair had moved the score onto 63 before Rowell was out for 20. A couple of cheap wickets fell and then Danny Wood joined Dowse at the crease. Both players have struggled for runs this season but they came good in this game to see Morley through to the winning target. Wood ended on 23 not out while it was fitting that Dowse should score the winning runs with a four to finish on an excellent 62 not out.
The play off final will be played at Ossett on Sunday 30th August at 2pm. Their opponents, depending on other results on 23rd August, are likely to be Spen Victoria.
August 9th - Ossett at home
Sunday dawned bright and sunny and it was down to the Third X1 to register the club's only win of the weekend. They didn't disappoint on that score, storming to the top of the league with an enthralling 16 run victory over previous leaders Ossett.
Michael Davies was in fine form, scoring an excellent 51, around which the home team built a total of 152-8. Ossett set off in determined mood to overtake this score, but the introduction of 14 year old leg spinner Andy Wear changed the course of the match as he ripped through the visitors top order, grabbing 4 wickets in the process. Matthew Davies and Danny Wood took 2 wickets each and Alex Houghton 1. There was stubborn resistance from Ossett’s very youthful last wicket pair, but a superb piece of fielding from Michael Davies produced a run out in the 39th over and a tremendous win to end the weekend on.
August 2nd - Darton at home
The Third X1 continued their good run with a 20 run victory over Darton at a dried out Scatcherd Lane on Sunday. Morley set a target of 146 all out, with Alex Houghton leading the way with 34. Michael Davies (27) and Danny Wood (19) provided support, but it was a last wicket stand of 15 between Jamie Abbott (11 no) and 12 year old Ben Jenkinson, who marked his debut with a glancing boundary, that provided the cushion for victory.
The visitors battled hard in reply, but the Morley bowlers worked well to whittle them out, with two wickets each going to Danny Wood, Jerome Austin, Michael Davies and Matthew Davies, with Alex Houghton picking up 1 to round off an excellent personal days work.
The win sets up a top of the table clash at home to Ossett next week. Morley are just 4 points behind the section leaders with two more games left afterwards.
July 26th - East Ardsley at home
Sunday proved to be a long day battling against both visitors East Ardsley and the rain for the Third X1. Morley batted first, and Robert Smith got the innings off to a good start with 26. There then followed a mid-innings collapse before no. 8 Matthew Davies took the fight to the visitors with a belligerent 46 not out in Morley’s final total of 126-7. Davies received good support from juniors Jerome Austin (13) and Callum Walker (1 no) in what was a very impressive display in wet and gloomy conditions.
The rain intensified during the tea interval and the Ardsley innings couldn't start until 6.30. The visitors shrugged off their long wait and in particular opening bat Long played very sensibly on his way to 34 not out. In fading light, conditions worsened however, and the match was eventually abandoned, leaving East Ardsley frustrated on 49-1 with 25 overs still left. Ben Payne took the only wicket to fall.
July 19th - Old Sharleston away
The Third X1 had a frustrating wasted journey to Old Sharleston on Sunday afternoon. They arrived at the ground to find it deserted. Phone calls to League officials eventually provided the explanation that the home team were on holiday together in Greece! Morley have been awarded 6 points but this latest episode, following Darton pulling out of an earlier game at the last minute and no umpires turning up on two occasions, has caused the Cricket Committee to review our involvement in this league and to look at other options for the future.
July 5th - Carlton at home
The Third X1 rounded off the weekend by grabbing their fourth win in a row, putting them right in amongst the leaders in their group.
Carlton were all out for 132. Wicket takers were Jerome Austin (3), Andy Wear (2), Danny Wood (2), Mathew Davies and Tom Swaby one each and a run out. Four wickets fell in reply, but Michael Davies (47) and Ryan Dowse (31) saw the side home to a comfortable 6 wicket win.
June 28th – Altofts at home
On Sunday, another fine afternoon saw the Third Team in action at home to Altofts. The visitors batted first and posted a score of 133-8, built principally around an innings of 34 from Ash Robinson. Matthew Dowse and Matthew Davies picked up 2 wickets each, and there was one apiece for Michael Davies, 12 year old debutant Ben Payne and Matti Bramley.
In reply, Ryan Dowse led the run chase with 38 and there was good support from Matthew Rowell (33 not out), making a promising return to cricket after a 3 year lay-off and Lee Cousens (28). Rowell and Andy Wear (13 not out) completed a 6 wicket win with 15 overs still remaining in a match that was played in an excellent spirit by both sides.
May 31st - Ossett away
The Third X1 travelled to face a very strong looking Ossett side on Sunday, but put in a really spirited performance. Ossett were dismissed for 184, Matthew Dowse taking 4 wickets. At 22-4 in reply, things were looking bleak but Dowse then joined Gareth Kitchen at the crease and these two produced an excellent partnership of 99 to take the score to 121 with Kitchen top-scoring with 53. Matthew Fox also contributed an excellent 22 but then wickets began to fall but Dowse went on to complete an excellent day’s work by scoring 51 not out before running out of partners with the total on 174.
May 24th - East Ardsley away
The Third Team started their season on Sunday at a sun drenched East Ardsley. The home side started at a canter and at 102-1 were looking to post an imposing total. Morley fought back to see the innings close at 181-9, and star of the show was Mathew Davies, who took 6 wickets, including a hat trick. The reply was always a struggle for Morley, though Lee Cousins played well for his 22 and there was some late order resistance from Gareth Kitchen (23) and Jerome Austin (15) as the innings finished on 118 all out.
