Ilkley CC

A Brush With Success

2007-06-19T11:19:00.000Z

The ICC has a budding entrepreneur in the ranks with Michael Sant's painting and decorating business expanding rapidly. If anyone didn’t realise that was his profession just have a look at his van, still not sure what his father is doing after going into semi-retirement! Last year Mike and Rhodesy were disillusioned working for a tyrant of a boss, although they tried to paper over the cracks it was clear they were fed up with work. Mike was at a crossroads last year, many were trying to persuade him to become an after dinner speaker but he decided to set up business on his own. Business is booming and the ICC blogger hopes this trend will continue, well played pal.

Here we can see Lager helping Santy out for the day!

Absolutely no IKEA about weather!

2007-06-19T10:42:00.000Z

Nick McMahon (the newest recruit to the ICC first team) has been one of the glimpses of sunshine in an otherwise foggy and miserable season for the ICC. He has been very reliable behind the stumps as well as some handy contributions with the bat, most notably against Skipton and Woodhouse. However, off the field he showed poor judgement by presuming the game would be called off due to the poor weather during the week and the fact it was raining in Wakefield! When Macca had not arrived on time, Gup rang to find if he was running late, however Mrs Macca answered the phone to inform Gup that our star wicketkeeper was in IKEA battling to fit an Apselund wardrobe onto his trolley. The ICC were in a spot of bother, after making numerous phone calls to get a player he decided to ring Daws, who gleefully hopped on his bike ( sponsored by dansdodgybatteries.com) to Addingham.

'Cracking spot to park your new bike Daws!'

Wanted - Dead or Alive!

2007-05-18T17:32:00.001Z

It seems a bounty has been put on my head!

It was noted with interest in Brian Bailey’s superb programme that a reward of 2 shillings will be given to the first man, woman or child to correctly identify who I am.

I did think I was worth more but not to worry!

A clue shall be provided forthwith…

I might be tall, I might be small,
I might be thin, I might be fat,
I’m not the ball, I’m not the bat,
But guess who I am and end this sham!

PS – May I take this opportunity to thank Brian for the privilege of using his excellent photos. They are a fantastic feature to the blog and I know are thoroughly enjoyed.

Game 3 - Menston (Home)

2007-05-09T15:45:00.000Z

The ICC went into this crucial game against league form side Menston without the services of Captain Gup, whom was attending the ‘Dandy’ comic convention in London. Joaquin Phoenix (Dan) with his experience of playing lead roles seemed the obvious choice as temporary skipper. This change of captaincy had no effect with the toss however, as the ICC completed the hat-trick of losses and not surprisingly the ICC were inserted to bat.

Bails and Dan strode to the middle in confident mood after a good partnership in the previous game at Illingworth. Nonetheless, a similar partnership did not materialise as Bails was trapped in front, much to his annoyance. In came the vivacious and effervescent Hustler in buoyant mood after his knock last week, the pair started well and began to accumulate runs. These two were putting the ICC into a good position, but unfortunately the ICC followed the same script as the last two weeks.

Three quick wickets fell and it put the brakes on the innings, firstly the Hustler was lbw sweeping, Dan drilled one to mid-wicket and Santy chipping it straight back to the bowler. The ICC welcomed back Mark Luffman to the first team, and although he had not played cricket for a long time he illustrated his natural eye for the ball by quickly racing to 19. However, Luffy tried to wallop the spinner out of the ground and was caught out. The ICC were struggling to get runs as the Menston’s spinners were bowling with control and guile and it took a fantastically composed innings from Wheels to set a total worth defending.

Having spent 15 overs consolidating and feeding off the small crumbs the Menston bowlers were leaving he was ready to explode. Cocky was stumped with a few overs remaining. At the death Wheels hit some sumptuous boundaries and got the scoreboard accelerating. The ICC again failed to get 200 and posted a score of 167 for 8.

The ICC required an early breakthrough - Santy Lad ran the overseas opener out in a controversial manner. The two openers were bowling well and Dicky was settling into his spell and Rhodesy was bowling with controlled aggression and rubbish facial hair. Dicky had the number three in knots and he soon got out. However the next two Menston batsmen formed a useful partnership and pushed the score up. Dicky claimed another wicket as Hustler caught well at point. Macca replaced Rhodesy but unfortunately failed to find any rhythm and was replaced by Cocky after two overs. At the other end Dicky trapped another lbw and when Cocky joined the party there was a glimmer of hope. However once again an opposition number 7 chipped in with a thirty guiding Menston home to victory. Dicky did get a consolation wicket at the death and he ended up with good figures, well bowled pal.

Another disappointing match report written by the ICC Blogger but hopefully Skipton will be different, the place of such euphoria following last season’s epic victory. Good lucky for Saturday lads and please win!

14 Stone in a Day!

2007-04-30T14:43:00.000Z

Ladies of the world, why bother with the Atkins Diet, Weight Watchers Programme or even the Jade Goody aerobics DVD collection. What you need is the Hustler’s Healthy Lifestyle Plan. Paul Dover, last season arguably the most fittest player in the Aire-Wharfe League (apart from maybe the opening bat at Addingham last year – ‘bowled Gup!,’) has made greater strides to reach ultimate fitness. This has been achieved by eating properly, drinking gin and slim line only and kicking Danny Bott at five-a-side football. Part time he has been trying to conquer Grey Skull and defeat He-Man and rule Eternia. Please don’t lose anymore pal or you will be appearing as an extra in the remake of Schindler’s List.

Game 2 - Illingworth (away)

2007-04-30T14:26:00.000Z

The ICC made the trip to Illingworth in confident mood of notching their first victory of the 2007 campaign. There were slight changes to the make-up of the team with the return of Alex Bailey (the ICC blogger would like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff at the BRI for the miracles they performed in getting Bails wrist right for game 2) from injury and ‘the Sniper’ (Ritchie Rhodes) becoming available after returning from a recent mission. Rich was looking in fantastic shape and a little lighter, he puts this down to a hard rugby season and a bit of pre-match closet wrestling the night before a game! The unlucky two to miss out were Lager and Andy Rhodes, Lager twisted his ankle whilst playing five-a-side football. We wish him a speedy recovery as Dan is struggling to conduct the warm-ups without his expertise on stretches and strains.

Uncharacteristically the Skipper lost the toss and the ICC were put into bat. The new opening partnership of Bailey and Walker started to gel immediately as both looked solid. The two were running well and punishing any loose deliveries and got the innings of to a good start as the ICC were on 80 for 0 after 25 overs. The platform seemed to be set for the innings to be accelerated, however both openers were dismisssed in a short space of time. Dan reaching for a wide one which seemed to get big on him and nicking it to the keeper and soon followed Bails who drove in the air to mid-on who took a smart catch. The Hustler and Santy steadied the ship briefly until Santy missed a slower ball and was adjudged to be lbw. Déjà vu was setting in from last week and wickets fell at a steady rate, Guppy misjudging a slower ball after playing some nice shots through the covers, Wheels dismissed after attempting a risky single and Cocky tamely chipping up to square leg. The lower order also failed to impress and the ICC ended up on a mediocre score of 163, considering the start the openers had given us. The only exception was the Hustler who adapted to the game conditions by running quick singles and putting the bad balls away. Aspecial mention for the Illingworth tea ladies who put on a great spread (juicy melons always a great addition to any tea or closet wrestling match). Think they must have had prior warning that some of our players need beefing gup!

Although the total was poor, it was defendable if the ICC managed to take early wickets. The ICC openers bowled well with Dicky extracting bounce from the pitch and Macca putting the ball in consistent areas. This pressure tolled as both openers were bowled playing some rather loose shots, one for Dicky and one for Macca. The two Illingworth danger men were in now and the ICC attack was continuing to frustrate and strangle the opposition. In this period, we missed a run-out and a couple of catches – these would be proved to be costly as the game progressed. Dicky’s first spell was capped off with a wicket, as their number three edged to Santy who held well behind the stumps, Illingworth struggling on 34-3. However a game winning partnership was about to occur as the Illingworth’s four and five put on nearly a hundred to settle their run chase down. Guppy tried different bowlers including Cocky, Jayesy, Dan and himself but this failed to break the deadlock. The deadlock was finally broken through a run-out and then Dicky came back to dismiss ‘Bob the Builder’ (Can you bat, no you can’t!). However it was all a little late as Illingworth knocked the winning runs off with four overs to spare.

It was a very disappointing and frustrating result for the ICC players who know they can perform better, however there were some positives which can be built upon for the next few games. A special note for Dicky who bowled superbly with excellent figures of 3-33 of 17 overs, well bowled pal!

New Signings 2007

2007-04-26T19:59:00.000Z

The ICC blogger would like to welcome the new signings to the first team squad. Quality players like these three will add depth and provide greater choice for Captain Gup. First of all we have managed to prize Dan Walker (Joachen Phoenix) from his latest Hollywood blockbuster. Dan is an opening batsman who can bowl sharp left arm seam, with a particularly composed knock in York; the omens look good for our overseas starlet. However less can be said about his drinking, witnesses on the Scarborough Tour have reported spillages of drinks and some interesting downhill skiing dance moves.

The second new recruit is Richard Broadley (Mr Tickle) who has made the move from rivals Burley this season. Concerns have been made that Rich may miss close friends Mr Slow, Mr Lazy and Mr Funny, but I am sure the ICC boys will make him feel at home. Rich is a tall left arm pace bowler who hits the seam consistently as well as being an accomplished lower order batsmen.

The third new arrival is Neil McLelland who arrives from Bolton Villas, he was introduced to the club by the Hustler who was a friend and a former team mate of Macca’s at Thackley. Macca is a relative unknown to the ICC Blogger but reports from Scarborough suggests he is a lively right arm seamer and a quacking lower - middle order batsmen.

Hopefully Macca will field well in the Ringo and forge a good opening bowling partnership with Harrison. (Fuck all rhymes with Lennon!)

Carry On Camping

2007-04-26T19:50:00.000Z

The ICC squad had a particular productive pre-season tour to Scarborough, particularly Dan (Joachen Phoenix) and Wheels (Matthew Stevens) performing well with the bat. However there was one major absentee to the party, as veteran fast bowler Richard Harrison was taking his annual family camping trip. Whilst the rest of the Harrison family were shopping, Dicky popped across the road to see his American friends at the local nudist camp, which he often frequents. Here we can see him catching up with fellow naturists Dirk and Dolly from Denver. Dicky met these cousins after winning a trip to America having completed three Gold Runs on Blockbusters in 1991. Hope you are feeling in fine fettle for the forth coming season pal.

I'm Back!

2007-04-26T12:23:00.000Z

And back with a vengeance!

Who am I?

You were all way off the mark last year - will your investigations prove more fruitful this year!

Rumour got back to Blooging HQ that even the local constabulary were barking up the wrong tree...

Yes - that be you Ange & Duckers!

This season I promise to be 'bigger, better and bolder'!

Keep logging on to see what I have in store for you all!

Anger Management

2007-04-26T08:04:00.001Z

The ICC skipper is immensely competitive person and in a three week period this passion has erupted like a volcano. His frenzy on the five-a-side field included kicking players, most notably a late challenge on The Hustler and trying to change a light bulb from ten yards at half time. Concerns were sent to the Aire-Wharfe’s Umpires Committee and Gup was going to be the one to watch for potential flare ups in the forthcoming season. However, after anger management classes and extreme workouts with Wheels, we are pleased to announce this frenzy was a minor indiscretion and Gup’s temper is firmly under control. The ICC footballers are delighted with this transformation, however local sports shop (Dobs & Robs) may be forced to close after reporting a massive drop in sales of shin pads!

Game 1 – Colton (Home)

2007-04-25T16:49:00.000Z

Saturday 21st April 2007

The ICC faced a tricky opening game against Colton, who undoubtedly will be pushing for promotion this year. A defeat in the penultimate game last year to the ICC ended Colton’s promotion challenge and therefore they came to Denton Road with a score to settle. The weather was good and the ICC boys were in confident mood after a productive Scarborough trip and some hard pre season training.

Uncharacteristically the skipper lost the toss and the ICC were put into bat. The ICC were without usual opening batsmen Alex Bailey who was undergoing minor surgery on his bruised wrist. The Hustler and overseas player Joaquin Phoenix (Dan) strode to the crease like Gladiators entering the colluseum ready for battle. The ICC openers got off to a sedate start primarily down to accurate seam bowling from Colton rather than lack of endeavour on their part. This pressure took its toll, as Hustler tried to force the pace and played on to a delivery. In walked the skipper who had elevated himself up the order to three, but he fell cheaply driving the ball to cover.

Santy lad came in at four and typically got the scoreboard moving immediately with some good punchy shots through the mid-wicket region. This had an effect on Dan who was starting to score more freely, but as soon as the partnership reached 50 Mike fell tamely getting a leading edge to mid-on. Wheels was next and was batting well with Dan, as the pair took quick singles as well as putting the poor balls away for four. However just as the partnership was starting to flourish, Wheels spooned one up to cover. The remaining wickets fell at a steady rate with a couple of unfortunate run outs which hindered the chances of reaching a total of 200. Instead the ICC were all out for 160 with five overs to spare. Praise must be given to Dan (76) who carried his bat and managed the tail well, without his efforts the score would have been much lower.

Although the score was less than satisfactory, the ICC were confident of repeating the feat of last year and bowling Colton out cheaply. Early wickets were needed in order to sow the seeds of doubts in the Colton batsman’s minds. However this did not occur as wayward Ilkley bowling and aggressive stroke play meant that Colton were 69 for 1 after ten overs, with Dan and Rhodesy getting particularly punished. Although they were unfortunate at times, as the top three played and missed on occasions. Dicky toiled at the other end and got the breakthrough by getting one to pop and Wheels taking a comfortable catch at second slip. With the game slipping away Captain Gup turned to his trump card by bringing on the ever reliable Jayesy. This was an inspired move as Jayesy took two wickets in his first over, his nagging line proved too tempting for the two victims who both edged to Dicky at first sleep who snaffled the chances well. Gup turned to slow bowling at the other end with Cocky entering the attack. The pair combined well to stem the runs and when Cocky dismissed the aggressive Colton’s overseas batsmen there was a glimmer of hope with Colton on 91-4. With the pressure being applied particularly by Jayesy’s consistent lines, two more wickets fell as Colton spluttered to 125-6. However a composed knock by Colton’s David Wright (48) led the away team to victory, he was dismissed when the scores were tied by Macca who bowled a lively spell at the end.

The ICC battled well in the second half but it was evident that they were thirty/forty runs shy. Highlights of the day were Dan’s knock of 76 and Jayesy’s figures of 3 for 36 off 11 overs.

Wheels - Will You Ever Last A Night Out!?

2007-04-25T16:47:00.000Z

His stamina on the cricket pitch cannot be questioned with a beautifully composed knock in sunny Scarborough, but perhaps more importantly his durability on a night out is firmly in doubt. He lasts as many rounds as Rhodesy would do if he got in the ring with Alex ‘The Bruiser’ Bailey’ (around 4!). Fears were first allayed on numerous occasions last year as parent or fiancée would usher the drunken Wheels out of the bar early and his performance in the King of Beers resulted in an ICC manhunt. Maybe select a steadier drinking partner, Santy lad?

Alex bales out of first game with gay injury

2007-04-25T08:07:00.000Z

The ICC first team will be without the services of opening batsmen Alex Bailey after some holiday larking about with a punching machine. The ever competitive Bails, in an attempt, to keep his hard man image (much to the annoyance of ‘whats that smell, oh its Rhodesy!’) punched so hard he damaged his wrist.

ICC players were stunned when they heard he was missing the first game as Bails had never mentioned he had a wrist problem. Being a team player and selfless professional he did not want to hinder the season’s preparation by drawing notice to his injury and possibly distract attention away from the rest of the team. Bails is on the mend and fortunately he has learnt to eat his spaghetti carbonara with his left hand. Get well soon pal.

Bails above - possibly contemplating his next combo on Rhodesy Lad perhaps!?

Blind Date!

2006-08-03T12:50:00.000Z

Hope Dos Hos fares better than this unfortunate individual!

Good luck tonight!

The ICC Juggernaught

2006-08-02T08:24:00.000Z

Captain Quaife has revved the engine and his ICC Juggernaught is starting to go through its gears! 4 wins from 4 have really shifted the team onwards and upwards and promotion to Division B is back on!

Come on the ICC! HONK HONK!

Game 13 - Illingworth (Away)

2006-07-31T14:56:00.000Z

Date - 28th July 2006

The ICC arrived at Illingworth in confident mood after 3 wins on the spin had seen them eat into the pacesetters lead. Absent this week were Jo Lager Varley and Paul The Hustler Dover but such is the strength in depth at the club this season a trip to top of the league posed no fear.

Unusually this week, Captain Quaife lost the toss and the Illingworth skipper chose to put The ICC into bat. Bails and Racks opened and the scoreboard was soon ticking over, good running between the wickets complemented regular boundaries and the youngsters looked solid. A change at one end brought the Illingworth spinner into the attack and soon Racks was removed to a smart stumping after slightly overbalancing. As Santy Dad joined Bails the score read 57-1. Phil was soon back in the hutch however as the Illingworth Aussie got one to keep low and Santy Dad was removed LBW.

Mike Sant came in at 4 and he and Bails batted well together and put the mini collapse to the back of their minds and managed to tick the score along at 4 an over. However with the score on 120 Bails was out just 8 short of his half-century.

Captain Quaife had put himself up the order and joined Mike at the crease. Looking nervy early on he battled and soon started picking runs up before Santy Lad was removed and Wheels came in with 13 left and 160 on the board. Although neither batsmen looked in good touch, they chanced their arms and ran well between the wickets and ruffled a few Illingworth feathers, not least when Gup chipped one to mid-wicket, was dropped and then 6 runs given as said fielder hurtled the ball over the boundary in frustration!

Gup was bowled by a good Yorker from the Aussie but his 30 proved more than handy. Wickets fell at regular intervals in the last 6 overs but when Dawse joined Dickie at the crease with 3 overs the Illingworth bowlers must have been hoping to wrap things up. These two had not read that particular script however and instead proceeded to smash 27 from 17 balls including a Champagne 6 from Dos Hos! The ICC finished well - 224-9.

The Illingworth teas were the best of the season, melon always a welcome addition to any tea!

The Ilkley defence didn’t get off to the best of starts as Rhodesy Lad injured his back first ball and couldn’t continue after ball 2 and went off for some of Guppy’s Horse pills to shettle the pain!
Jay Zee stepped up to the plate and immediately caused problems. At the other end Dickie was getting them to wobble about and the Illingworth batsmen looked distinctly uncomfortable. When Dickie got one to nip off the seam the opener nicked it to 2nd slip where Wheels took it close to the ground. And when Captain Quaife and Jayzee chose to insert a silly short-leg the Ilkley juggernaught started to go through its many gears as Santy Lad took a superb reflex catch to his right. At the crease now were the two batsmen who won the game for Illingworth at Denton Road and when they got the score up to 60-2 a few Ilkley heads were starting to drop. Captain Quaife wouldn’t allow this and rallied and cajoled his troops to keep battling. When Cocky was brought into the attack the ball really started to dance and Racks did superbly behind the stumps and it was this combination that removed the dangerous Illingworth skipper, stumped. Ilkley were up for it again and when Jayes removed the other batter again to a smart catch from Santy Lad the ICC smelt victory. Wickets began to tumble as the Illingworth batsmen felt the pressure and despite ridiculous cheating from the Illingworth number 6 Ilkley coasted to a much deserved 5 points with Jayes picking up 6-52.

The hard-work is far from over however as we approach the business end of the season. Every game is huge, none more so than the next one with the visit of Menston to Denton Road.
The ICC will be hoping to make it five from five! Come on the ICC!

Name that Ground!

2006-07-26T10:06:00.001Z

Brian Bailey got his chopper out (pardon!) this week and took to the skies! Can you name the grounds?!

Ground 1 -
Ground 2 -

Ground 3 -

Ground 4 -

Ground 5 -

Ground 6 -

Ground 7 -
Ground 8 -

Thanks Brian, top pics as usual!

Game 13 - Woodhouse (Home)

2006-07-21T13:31:00.000Z

Date - Saturday 16th July 2006

Well this week the Match Report is going to be short. Ilkley scored 367 which is a new 1st team record and star of the game was Racks who smashed his way to 147 in 35 overs, made an amazing run-out to remove the Woodhouse opener, bowled 1.3 overs and bagged two for zip AND got fielding point! Well Done Racks, class!

Anyone who was lucky enough to witness Craig's innings saw a batsmen at the top of his game. He played majestic shots though the 'V' throughout his innings, none more so than the third ball of the game where he dispatched a massive 6 onto the changing room roof playing a brutal cover drive! The Ilkley lads and spectators were happy to sit in the sunshine and watch Craig pepper the boundary at regular intervals. Thanks for the memories mate but please can we have some more!

Also - Well done Santy Dad who weighed in with 67 and all the Ilkley bowlers who between them skittled Woodhouse for 192.

Just a note about the opposition who all showed a touch of class and shook hands with Craig at half-time... superb!
Keep it up lads and roll on Alwoodley!

COME ON THE ICC!

Hallelujah!

2006-07-19T11:07:00.000Z

Praise the Lord!

Our Saviour returns!

Well played on Saturday Racks... er I mean Jesus!

Yes the 6 Runs!

2006-07-12T15:37:00.000Z

On Saturday The ICC 1st XI witnessed a shot so monstrous that it was beautiful to watch! Paul 'Lara' Dawson played a huge hook shot that went for the maximum!

Fortunately for all you non-believers Brian Bailey was on hand and managed to capture the crucial image below...

Only joking Dawse lad - here you go...

Great shot Dos Hos!

Well Done the Juniors!

2006-07-12T15:32:00.000Z

Congratulations to the Under 17's who on Sunday beat the old enemy Burley in the Dennison Cup!

Bails was nonchalent in scoring his century, playing some majestic shots thought the covers and some imperious strokes through the onside in a quite faultless display any batsmen would have been proud of. Crucially he got the help he required at the end when he and Robert Hill ran excellently between the wickets and Rob got batted well for his 16.

The Ilkley bowling was a joy to watch also as much like the England team they hunted in pairs and gave no room for error to the Burley batsmen, Carcus bowling particularly aggressively and Danny Bott also expertly as his figures highlighted taking 6-3-14-2.

Credit must go to every Ilkley player however as they all played brilliantly in front of their own supporters and brought the trophy home!

Well done lads!

Jimmy Hill during the victory over Burley!

Game 12 - Addingham (Away)

2006-07-12T15:25:00.000Z

Date - 8th July 2006

And so the return legs of the league programme gets underway.
Ilkley beat Addingham convincingly in the first match of the season and The ICC were hoping for the same result at the small away ground.

Yet again Captain Quaife won the toss, backing up his theory that he is a "2nd Half Man".... whatever that is!!!

Deciding to bat first the Skip sent out Bails with another new opener in the form of Racks and the the latter got the ICC off to a blistering start, racing to 50 inside the first 8 overs.. In the 12th over Racks was unlucky when he top-edged one to the keeper when he was on 46 but he got Ilkley off to a flier and helped build a good platform on which to progress.

Out walked the helmetless Cockcroft and he and Bails showcased some good running between the wickets before he was bowled for 7. Santy Lad came in at 4 and he too looked the part and made a start before holing out to Long off for 23. At the other end Bails was quietly pinching singles and dispatching the dead ball whenever it came. The Hustler was in at five but wasn't in long before Bails mistimed a short one to the keeper for 64.
Wheels was in and watched as Dover was out 8 balls later bowled by Richard Hey. This steady fall of wickets was to continue for the last 8 overs as next Wheels then Rhodes then Dickie and Guppy all gave their wickets away. Fortunately, Dawse and Lager swung the bat at the end and ran excellently to push the final total on to 252.

The tea at Addingham was the best of the season so far... as Daddy Quaife will vouch for - 3 return trips he made for extras!

The Addingham innings started in much the same vein as it had done at Ilkley - slowly. After 10 overs the scoreboard read 21-1 after Rhodesy Lad had bowled a belter to remove the wicketkeeper-opener. In an attempt to make another breakthrough Captain Quaife and Cocky were intoduced early on and this had the desired effect as the "less atheletic batsmen" was bowled by Gup. Cocky was also bowling well at the other end and Lager made an excellent stumping to remove Number 3. At drinks Addingham were 82-3.

Captain Quaife and Cocky were bowling well in tandem and the overs were soon running down when unfortunately the Skip pulled something in his back during bowling and had to be brought off for Dover. With 18 overs left this was a good chance for Paul to prove his capabilities with the ball and he bowled excellently taking a wicket and finishing with 7-1-10-1. Wheels was given a go at the other end with 6 overs left but watched on in horror as the two batsmen at the crease smashed the ball to the short boundary for 34 runs. Rhodesy at the other end was unlucky as 3 boundaries he conceeded were all top edges just wide of the keeper. So Ilkley went from a position of dominance to losing an extra point as Dingam celebrated pinching two points in the last over to get the 189 they required.

It has been a familiar tale to the Ilkley players this season as in the last 10 overs of too many games runs have been conceeded and Captain Quaife quite rightly pointed out that this needs addressing before its too late.

4 points again for Ilkley but with the other teams above all winning the gap was not narrowed and a win against Woodhouse next up is vital.

Come on The ICC!

Game 11 - Bolton Villas (Away)

2006-07-07T12:17:00.000Z

Date July 1st 2006

After a series of setbacks it was vital that Ilkley got something from this game and 4 points out of a possible 6 were much deserved.

Captain Quaife led from the front coming in at 110-6 he smashed the ball to all parts of the ground and was ably assisted by Andy Rhodes who weighed in with a very useful 46.

Ilkley had struggled early on with Phil Sant out in the first over and Cocky perishing on 3. Santy Lad and Bails dug in though and Santy was unlucky to be caught off a bump ball for 28

Wickets fell at a steady rate until Guppy and Rhodsey Lad took the game away from Bolton Villas, putting on a hundred runs before Guppy was caught behind.

A few more runs were added before The ICC were all out for 226

Rhodsey and Dickie again caused problem with the new ball and after 12 overs Villas were 34-3. Cocky was first change and bowled well to snare 3 victims and Guppy came on at the other end and bowled excellently picking two wickets up in the process.

The Number 10 for Bolton Villas came in and caused Captain Quaife a headache, smashing the returning opening bowlers everywhere on his way to 49 and number 11 clung on at the end to secure the home side 2 points.

The lads were happy to get back to winning ways and Guppy should be proud of his days work, a real Captains innings. However, The ICC are going to have to be more ruthless in killing teams off.

Next up, Dingham away.

Fred's Birthday!

2006-07-05T13:32:00.000Z

WARNING! The following pictures are not suitable for pregnant women, people with a heart condition and those of a nervous disposition. Any material that offends... blame Fred!

Birthday Boy as Myrah Hindley aka Barney Rubble!

Hard Man Sant with Lovely Laura, Woody the Bumble Bee

and Tourettes Ringo Rhodes

Hero of the Day - Captain Gup (great knock Skip!) with Basketball Legend Leighton 'Slam Dunk' Parsons!

Shabba Dave as the Blushing Bride!

Krooner The Boxer, Mrs Bumble Bee and Boris Becker

George Harrison and Bananaman (what a great word 'bananaman' is by the way!) discussing tactics!

Mrs Bailey the Bird, Dawse looking remarkably sober and BB as a Brazilian!Mrs Wheels the Bunny, John Lennon and Shabba Jo as a stunning Bouquet

Top Picture! A Bear and a Bumble Bee drinking into the small hours!

You always save the best til last... Cleggy and poor old Dawse. One pint too many mate?

Many thanks to Ben and Ange for a top night! A good night was certainly had by ALL!

(Pictures courtesy of that man again Brian Bailey - thank you!)

Current League Table

2006-06-30T12:10:00.000Z

Date 30th June 2006

After a blip in recent weeks the first team have dropped down the league. Tomorrow's game against Bolton Villa's will be crucial in determing where The ICC are playing there games next season.

Club --------------- Played ------- Total Pts Illingworth.............................10...............................47 Harden...................................10................................40
New Rover..............................10...............................39
Colton.....................................10................................38
Ilkley.......................................10.................................31
Alwoodley................................10................................31
Bolton Villas............................10................................22 Woodhouse .............................10................................19
Addingham ..............................10...............................19
Menston ..................................10.................................19
Ben Rhydding .........................10.................................16 Skipton .....................................10................................6

The ICC 1st XI need to dig deep in the next three games and get back to winning ways.

Come on the ICC!

Brilliant Ben Button's Birthday!

2006-06-30T10:54:00.000Z

Its Fred's Birthday tomorrow and to celebrate he's throwing a fancy dress party down at the club - the catch being you have to go as someone begininning with the letter 'B'!

Cue, 7 Batmans, 4 Banana Men and 2 Bob The Builders turning up!

Log on soon to see what everyone went as!!!

P.S. Happy Birthday Fred!

Things seen at nets this week!

2006-06-28T16:51:00.000Z

Poor Carcus took one for the team on Tuesday night, on the receiving end of a Bails drive, he took one right in the knackers! We'd like to say that he has 'Balls of Steel' but he blatently doesn't have!

Carcus after the painful blow! Oo er!

Also seen at nets this week was a quite stunning catch by Andy 'Jonty' Rhodes!

A bit like this...

Only Rhodesy's was 10 times better, well held Andy Lad!

Game 10 - Colton (Home)

2006-06-28T16:41:00.000Z

Date - 24th June 2006

On Presidents Day at Ilkley Cricket Club, the first team welcomed Colton to Denton Road and the spectators were in for a treat.

Guppy won the toss for the second week running, equalling his personal best from season 2004! Long may that run continue. In this week came the experience and craftiness of Santy Dad for young Richard Rhodes.

Guppy chose to insert the oppo and Rhodesy and Dickie both bowled very well in the opening 7 overs. So much so that the opener threw his wicket away in the 7th over scoring nowt!

Number 3 didn't look up to much either and he was soon back in the pavilion with the score 60-2

Number 4 Paul Sutheland entered the fray and decided his game plan was to bat a lot of overs. Indeed, he was still on 4 runs after 11 overs. At the other end the left-handed opener was looking the part before a mix-up between the two batters and was unfortunate to be run out for 41 by Santy Lad.

After this wickets fell at regular intervals, Cocky back amongst the wickets snaring two victims and Dickie at the other end reaping havoc.
With 12 overs left Ilkley had deservedly got themselves into a great position reducing Colton to 133-9. Sutherland had different ideas however and promptly smashed his way from 39 to 93 before The Hustler got his first ICC wicket and bowled him with 2 overs left. The score now being 206.
Dickie and Cocky the pick of the bowlers with figures of:
Harrison 24-6-84-5
Cocky 6-1-29-2.

A magnificent spread was put on by the Harrison Family, the chocolate muffin particularly delicious!

At the interval, Captain Quaife was keen to impress on his troops that Ilkley were still in the box seat and that it was Colton who had all on to get anything from the game.
Santy Dad and Bails were Ilkley's third new opening partnership of the season and they got the ICC off to a solid start before Bails was unlucky to be caught behind down the legside.
Cocky walked out and he and Santy Dad seemed to quickly stike an understanding of each other and the scoreboard ticked along at a steady rate. However, with the score on 75 Cocky was triggered for an lbw that would have done well to hit another set of stumps! Santy Lad joined Santy Dad at the crease and soon got off the mark with an imperious flick through midwicket for 4. Santy Dad was close to his 50 but young Santy would not be with him as he lobbed one up straight to cover.

Paul Dover joined Senior Sant around drinks and with only 80 runs required from the last 25 overs Ilkley held all the aces. However, a change of bowling by the Colton skipper really slowed things down and both batsmen atarted to find runs were harder to come by. The young off-breaker bowling very well and Santy Dad was bowled by one that turned for a well-crafted 64 with the score 125-4. Out walked Wheels as number 6 and he started to get the score moving along, helping Paul pinch singles with some quick running between the wickets. The Hustler by now had started to get his eye in and was finding the boundary and runs easier to come by before yet again the young spinner bowled a jaffa to remove The Hustler for 25.
Captain Quaife joined Wheels with 12 overs left and 50 runs needed. The ICC ground is big though and both batsmen took advantage with some excellent running between the stumps.

Guppy Lad didn't last as long as he would have liked getting bowled again by the young spinner.

By this stage panic had set in the Ilkley dressing room and the remaining batsmen didn't last long. Wheels and Lager tried to make a game of it at the end when 5 runs from 5 balls were needed but when Wheels was caught for 43 and Dawse and Lager were run out Ilkley demonstrated in a nutshell how to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

The mood was sombre in the dressing room and heads down, the lads recognising a real opportunity missed by the ICC.

Up next Bolton Villas and Ilkley must take something from this game if they are to harbour any realistic ambitions of promotion.

Many thanks again to Mr Bailey for the photos!

Crimewatch Update

2006-06-27T07:38:00.000Z

Have you seen this man?

Ilkley police are looking for this man. Intelligence suggests he is the Criminal Overlord of Ilkleys hooligan element. Police have reviewed CCTV footage of an incident that took place in The Crescent bar on Friday night, 23rd June. The above suspect appeared to lash out at a fellow partygoer who suffered a torrent of xenophobic and jingoistic obsenities.

The suspect is known to have at least 2 aliases, currently 'Dawse' or 'Dos Hos'.

The public are urged NOT to approach this man.

Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you have any information.

Big Hair

2006-06-27T07:32:00.000Z

Wheels (or Seth Armstrong as we now like to call him) is surely due a haircut. His sideburns are way out of control...

get some weedkiller on it lad!

Out of darkness...

2006-06-26T13:46:00.000Z

cometh light!

Come on the ICC, pick your heads up and lets get some pointage on the board!

COME ON!

Captain Pedantic

2006-06-23T12:53:00.000Z

On Saturday 17th June at the Harden game Captain Quaife fired a verbal volley of abuse the ICC dressing room has never seen the like of before. The victim of this nasty tirade? Wheels for some shoddy throwing? No! Santy Lad for a dropped catch? No! Was it then Rhodesy Lad for losing his head at the end of his bowling spell? NO!

So what could have riled Captain Quaife so much that the anger and venom spouting forth was peeling the paintwork from the Harden dressing room?

Well it turns out that yours truly made some major errors in last weeks Match Report and El Capitano was not impressed!

Captain Pedantic alleges he was a run short and that Jayes' bowling figures were a maiden down. What a nit-picker!
Slap on wrist noted Guppy Lad!

* The Web Master makes mental note - must try harder! *

Bails Returns

2006-06-23T12:47:00.000Z

The Bronzed Adonis has returned from his training camp.

The Ilkley Lads all clubbed together last week to send Bails to a high altitude training camp in the Andalucian mountains to work on his fitness, fielding technique and hopefully have some key-hole on his dodgy knee.

The blog can exclusively reveal that Bails found the experience highly beneficial and is targetting some big runs over the next few weeks!

Cricket Nets and World Cup Sweepstakes

2006-06-23T12:46:00.000Z

Captain Quaife ordered his troops in for nets on Tuesday night to get some much needed batting practice and then to have a couple of cheeky beers in the ICC clubhouse to watch England vs Sweden.
Food was provided by Dawse Catering who didn't quite do his sums right and only brought in 2 Fish & Chips and a Fish Butty - even Jesus couldn't have worked miracles with that!
Cleggy was running the bar and dragged the punters off the street with a complimentary free pint!
And Wheels organised a sweepstake which was rigged so the winnings could go toward the Button Wedding! Fred winning first goalscorer after plucking Jo Cole out of the hat and Ange "I should be on Match of the Day, me" guessing the correct score!

And it was nice to see Woody turn up... he must get that bladder seen to though!

A good night was had by all!

An Apology

2006-06-23T12:42:00.000Z

Can I just take a few moments to apologise to Jay Zee of the Baildon Bronx. In last weeks Match Report he was according to our illustrious captain not mentioned enough for a fine bowling spell. Having mused about this for some time, this Web Master has come to the conclusion that Captian Gup is ofcourse right (as he always is by the way!) and that The Dazzler should quite rightly be heaped much praise for a great bowling spell of 21 - 5 - 69 -3

Well done Darren!

Game 9 - Harden (Away)

2006-06-23T12:22:00.000Z

Date - Saturday 17th June 2006

A short Match report this week as disappointment is blocking much of the game out.

If catches had been held by the Ilkley lads... ?

Captain Quaife WON (yes, won!) the toss and chose to bowl on the small Harden ground. Rhodesy and Dickie both bowled good opening spells particularly Dickie whose first 32 balls didn't go for a single run!

Rhodesy got the first wicket with a superb piece of fast bowling, making the Harden opener look like a real mug!

Other highlights from the bowling and fielding were Jay Zee picking up a superb 17.1 - 3 - 40 - 6 (Yes that would be a sixfor Captain Pedantic!), Bails taking a good catch and a great run out by Jo 'Lager' Varley - the People's Choice for Champagne Moment!

Harden had a late flurry at the end of their innings and managed to creep above two hundred eventually finishing 206 all out.

The Ilkley innings again got off to a shocker with Santy getting caught 2nd ball. Bails and Cocky did what they do best and steadied the ship before Bails was caught with the score on 62, Wheels looked the part as soon as he was in, quickly getting to the mid-twenties before he was out to one that rose sharply. Cocky was batting well at his end and playing some excellent shots and the ICC lads were hoping he could carry his bat but alas it was not to be as he was decieved by the spinner and bowled for 33. With the score on 114 Guppy and Paul again found themselves batting with each other and the score ticked along nicely until Gup was stumped off the Ginger Whinger for 15.

Rhodesy received a white hot reception from the Harden fielders and spectators but did well to block it out and got to 14 quickly before being caught. With 8 overs left and 154 on the board Dickie at first secured 2 points and then nudged Paul along to quieten the opposition and get close toward victory. With 4 overs left and just 32 needed, Dickie played a big shot straight down the ground only to be held by a good catch right on the edge. With that went any hope of victory and Lager batted well to secure the losing draw whilst The Hustler carried his bat for a thoroughly well deserved 52.

So heads were down after the game but the lads should not lose heart. No-one has yet outplayed us yet and for a few catches being held and a bit of composure out in the middle The ICC could quite easily be 8 points better off.

Next up Colton at home, COME ON THE ICC!

Thanks once again to Brian for the fantastic pictures - they really make the Match Report.

Game 8 - Skipton (Home)

2006-06-14T21:40:00.000Z

Date 10th June 2006

On an absolutely beautiful day for cricket Ilkley welcomed Skipton to the home of cricket, Denton Road.

With not a cloud in the sky and temperatutes reaching 30 degrees it was perfect cricket weather.
Some things never change though and Guppy's luck with the coin continued as he lost yet another toss!

The Skipton skipper wanted to watch England first... sorry bat first and the Ilkley bowlers had initial crack with the ball for the first time this season.

The Skipton innings started brightly as the two openers got stuck in to anything loose from Harrison and Rhodes. The bowlers weren't helped by some very poor fielding in the first ten overs, but Captain Quaife gave the desired kick up the backside and the Ilkley lads were soon back on task. Rhodes was brought off early and replaced by Jayes and this would be the only bowling change of the whole Skipton innings as Harrison and Jayes really tightened the screw and bowled tidily and econmically. Harrison was the first with the breakthrough as Santy held on to a tidy catch at gully. As each new batsmen came in they were keen to tell the Ilkley lads the footy score... a sure sign that their minds were eleswhere! Ilkley capitialised on this and Jayes and Harrison deservedly reduced Skipton to 176-7. Both bowlers deserve praise for bowling long spells in very hot conditions, particularly the elder statesman Harrison who bowled a full 25 overs for 5-71

With England holding onto a 1-0 lead Ilkley were hoping for an England/Ilkley double but after Santy was caught at cover the second ball, doubts were raised.
Cocky went in at three and soon looked his old self, batting solidly and partnering Bails well. After 15 overs and the score on 63 the initial scare was firmly at the back of everyones mind but then Cocky was caught at point and Wheels joined Bails at the crease. He hadn't been in long before he was run out and Dover went in. Bails was batting very positively and played some lovely straight drives and Russell was punishing anything short, a cut shot to the long boundary in particularly nice shot.
With the attacking Dover and Bails now playing his shots, the scoreboard was ticking along at a healthy rate. With just 35 runs required Bails was bowled but walked off to loud applause scoring 72 runs. Guppy soon got stuck in to the tiring Skipton attack and even scampered some cheeky singles and two's! Dover was caught at cover but batted well for his 22 runs. Richy Rhodes went in at 7 and with 10 runs needed. Guppy was caught behind at the other end though and Andy Lad joined his brother at the crease. After getting dropped first ball the Rhodes' brought it home and Ilkley celebrated a convincing victory!
Captain Quaife was pleased but noted that both he and The Hustler should have carried their bats and that Ilkley's first 10 overs in the field is not to happen again. Next up is Harden away who currently sit top of the table and this will be a real test that the Ilkley lads should look forward to. A good performance and victory against them will really put Ilkley in the shake-up.

Up the ICC!

Many thanks again to Brian for the use of his excellent photos!

Twenty20 - Burley (Away)

2006-06-14T09:21:00.000Z

Date - Thursday 8th June

Lost by 0.3 of a run - need we say more!?

Game 7 - New Rover (Away)

2006-06-06T16:26:00.000Z

Date - 3rd June 2006

Before the game New Rover were 7 points behind Ilkley and The ICC lads were hoping to put a bit more daylight between the two teams. It was a new ground to many of the Ilkley players, New Rover having recently applied to the Aire Whare League. A welcome addition it is too... the ground is immaculate, enjoying the benefits of full-time groundsman Keith Boyce. A small picket fence runs adjacent to the boundary edge, the ground sits in an elevated postion and amongst woodland - a very pretty ground indeed. Money is obviously not much of an issue for the club as Geoffrey Richmond (former City chairman) provides whatever is needed.

And finally the weather did us proud; 6 weeks into the season we eventually get clear blue sky and hot sunshine in which to enjoy the game. No change with Guppy's luck however as he lost the toss a seventh successive time!

Rover Skipper Mike Richmond chose to bowl first and Ilkley had first crack at what looked to be a good batting track.

With Simon unfortunately having to leave us Santy opened the batting with Bails and immediatly looked the part. Any nerves he or indeed his teamates may have had were soon dispelled when he played a lovely cut to the boundary in the third over. At the other end Bails was looking defiant yet graceful, a sublime cover drive in the fifth over particularly elegant.

In the 7th over the young openers had guided Ilkley to 50 without any scares when Bails was on the end of a poor decision, a thick inside edge onto his pad and he was triggered lbw... it would have been funny if it hadn't been so cruel.

Cocky joined Santy at the crease and stared in disbelief as Santy undid all his hard work by charging the New Rover spinner two balls later and was caught at gully. So 50-0 was suddenly 50-2 and with Wheels joining Cocky at the crease it was game on.

Things were to go from bad to worse however, as in the very next over Cocky was caught behind.

52-3 and Paul and Wheels now had a salvation job on their hands.

With 34 overs left the two new boys had to dig in and resurrect the Ilkley innings. It wasn't pretty but they were effective, the two batsmen eventually guiding Ilkley to 130 with 12 overs left. Now was the time to start an attack, but unfortunately for The Hustler, his first big shot was held at Long Off. Paul departed for 33 but he did exactly what was needed and helped build the foundation that Ilkley could hopefully progress from.

Guppy joined Wheels in the middle and showed just how good touch he was in... smashing a gigantic six over mid-wicket.
Wheels too tried to push on, pinching singles and the odd boundary.
Captain Quaife was caught and bowled but scored a respectable 14 and made way for new Italian signing Tourettes Rhodsi.

Wheels and Rhodesy weren't to partner each other for long however as Wheels was caught on the edge.

The two Rhodes Boys were in the middle but within 6 balls Richy Lad was run out by Andy Lad!

Dickie and Andy played some big shots with 5 overs left, particularly Andy who hit two big sixes. The scorers were busy and perhaps Dick was unfortunate to have played on chasing a wide one.

Joe 'Tiger' Varley went in and helped bump the score along to 176-7 with Rhodesy finishing on an excellent 31.

A tremendous spread was put on by the New Rover Tea Ladies, the Swiss Roll an obvious highlight!

The New Rover innings begun very streakily, the right hander edging two of Dickie's for four. Richmond at the other hand was very slow to get going, eventually pinching a single in the 6th over.

There was almost a run-out after smart work by Wheels but it wasn't given. Not that it was to matter however as Dickie deservedly snared his man the very next delivery, caught behind by the cat-like Varley!

Rhodes can count himself unlucky not to have got a wicket after some good bowling and it was Captain Quaife who replaced him at the top end.
After a slow start Richmond was starting to look very solid and was now playing his shots. It was a familiar tale for each of the Ilkley bowlers... for every good ball they would ball in the over they would bowl a bad one which was punished by the New Rover skipper and his number three. This would ultimately be the downfall. Cocky came on at the other end to replace Dickie and found the two batsmen had settled in and try as he might he too struggled to get anything from an excellent batting track.

Always up with the required run-rate the two New Rover batsmen were pacing their innings excellently and it meant Guppy was trying to mix the bowling up and break the deadlock.

Both Paul and Wheels tried in vain, despite good initial bowling and it was left to Rhodes and Harrison to try and rescue something. With 8 overs left, New Rover required 40.

Richmond however, was on 75 and had the bit between his teeth.
He got stuck in to both the bowlers and accelerated towards his ton. Rhodes number three out, Wheels taking a simple catch at square leg but it was too little too late and in the 46th over Richmond hit the winning runs to make a deserved century.

The Ilkley players should not feel too disheartened after this defeat. It should be noted that Jayes was missing and he would have certainly been an asset on this kind of pitch and the way the middle order fought after a mini collapse show that Ilkley will battle to the death. With excellent team-spirit and the quality to fight for each other in abundance in the ICC dressing room the opposition will write off Ilkley at their peril.

Up next Skipton and a good chance to get back to winning ways!

Up the ICC!

For Sale

2006-06-06T16:20:00.000Z

Limited Edition Tiger Print Shirt.

50p O.N.O

Contact Joe

Jim Fixed It For Wheels!

2006-06-05T14:47:00.000Z

Poor Cocky lost twenty quid to Wheels on Saturday! On the way to the game Wheels said he saw Sir Saville on Pool Bank - top off, hot pants on and 'Jim'll Fix It' Medallion swinging amidst a forest of grey chest hair! Cocky, the good driver that he is, was by all accounts concentrating on the road and quite rightly didn't believe wind-up merchant Wheels and gambled 20 quid that it was a cock and bull story! How he wished he hadn't... the rest of the Ilkley Lads had all seen Shell Suit Saville and backed Wheels story up! Rumours that Wheels was later seen at the bar getting 9 beers in cannot be verified!!!

Game 6 - Ben Rhydding (Home)

2006-05-31T13:04:00.000Z

Date - 27th May 2006

Ilkley welcomed Ben Rhydding and old friend Leighton Parson's to Denton Road for a good old fashioned local deby.

Ben Rhydding Skipper Joe McTigue had already fanned the flames by boldly predicting victory on http://www.ilkley.play-cricket.com/ forum facility and even requesting the ICC Landlord order extra Red Stripe in for them to celebrate with after!

Fortunately, there was to be no upsets in this particular encounter and the class and pedigree of Ilkley shone through.

For the sixth consecutive time Captain Quaife again lost the toss, Mr McTigue choosing to put The ICC in on a damp, seaming track.

On a sad note Bails and Schwerdt were open the batting for the last time together... Simon having to return home for personal reasons - everyone at the club wishes Simon and his family all the best, he has made many friends during his time at the club and will be missed. Again, these two got Ilkley off to a flier, particular Simon who seemed to relish the opportunity to get stuck in to Ilkley's ex-overseas player. Bails was given a lifeline in the 8th over, getting dropped by silly mid-off after a Parson's delivery popped on a good length.

Unperturbed, the two continued the aggressive style's and in the 14th over Scwerdt had reached his 50. Soon after, Bails played on a McTigue delivery stretching for a wide one. Cocky joined Simon at the crease and with new bat in hand, seemed to adopt a more attacking stroke-play. He wasn't to last long however as Parsons got the reward his hard work deserved and had him caught behind. At the other end, Simon was bludgeoning the ball to all corners of the ground, including three quite monstrous sixes!
Sant and Simon were at the crease together but it wasn't long before Sant was back in the pavilion, caught after 3 overs.

Ilkley were now in a spot of bother, with 154-4 on the board and over 26 overs Dover and Schwerdt needed to dig in and run a few overs down before the middle order came in. Alas, it was not to be as immediately after drinks Schwerdt was held at mid-off, just 5 runs short of his maiden Ilkley century.

Up stepped Wheels, complete with new spikes and pads! And no sooner had he joined Dover at the crease than Russel was caught with a leading edge by mid-wicket.

So, 23 overs still to go, two new batsmen at the crease and Ben Rhydding were cockahoop!

Quaife and Wheels to their credit dug in well, and did just as they required, running the overs down and scoring well when the bad ball came - Quaife getting back to something like his old self with some nice shots straight down the ground and Wheels through the covers and even a hook shot to the short boundary. Just when it seemed Wheels had got in and was ready to take the attack to the Rhydding bowlers he was undone by some good bowling from McTigue and was bowled for 21.

With 11 overs left Rhodes and Quaife now had a platform to push the score on and that the did, Rhodes getting a quick 26 before being bowled and letting Harrison come in a smash 10 in 5 balls. Harrison out the last ball of the game but Captain Quaife carried his bat with an impressive 40 and Ilkley had set an imposing 263-8.
From the outset, the Rhydding lads seemed content to settle for a point. Good opening spells from Harrison, Rhodes and Jayes immediately set the tone and with some tremendous fielding from the Ilkley lads, most notably Dover it was unlikely BRCC were ever going to threaten the Ilkley score. Indeed the most worrying aspect concerning the Ilkley players was the threat of rain in the distance.

The first wicket came in the 6th over after a superb run-out fro the bustling Dover and it was the least Ilkley deserved. The second wicket was not far behind, Wheels holding onto a simple chance at square leg after some tight bowling from Jayes. The catch brought about the removal of Parsons and most likely any chance the Rhydding Boys had of getting anything from the game.

Number 4 came and went in the most ridiculous of dismissals, running halfway down te wicket to try and swipe Rhodes - he missed by a mile and was comprehesively bowled! Captain McTigue cannot have been impressed.

In he came however and batted tidily and set the example. He hit the bad ball but dead-batted anything else. Unfortunately with no help at the other end he was fast running out of partners as Guppy brought himself on and was picking wickets up at regular intervals. The scoring was less than pedestrian and Captain Quaife was trying everything to get a wicket, rotating Jayes, Rhodes, Cockcroft and Dover to no avail. And when the heavens opened and the umpires prematurely brought the players off it seemed Ilkley's hard work was to prove worthless. Fortuantely, it stopped as quickly as it started and despite getting a wicket with 2 overs to go Ben Rhydding hung on at 76-8 and seemed quite content.

Ilkley again experienced victory but will face much tougher opposition at New Rover next week.

Ilkley 263-8 (Schwerdt 95, Quaife 40*, Rhodes 26, Parsons 5-79))
Ben Rhydding 76-8 (Quaife 3-21)

Special thanks to Brian Bailey for allowing us the use of his photos which are an excellent addition to the Match Reports. Many thanks Brian!

World Cup of Beers

2006-05-31T12:50:00.000Z

On Sunday Fred kindly organised a bit of a whettner for the World Cup... a World Cup of Beers - to raise money for Ilkley CC!

The format was simple - each team would be given a glass of beer from World Cup countries and they had to name the country said beer came from and also what make it was i.e. Lager 1 = USA = Budweiser and so on and so on!

It seems however, that too much beer was consumed as no-one can remember who actually won, a great evening was had by all, Cheers Fred!

P.S. If anyone knows what actually happened to Wheels afterwasrds please let us know!

Rain, rain go away!

2006-05-26T10:55:00.000Z

Come again in October, we want to play cricket!

Lies, damn lies...

2006-05-25T12:53:00.000Z

and Statistics!

Everyone knows that cricketers are obsessed with numbers, whether it be the number of runs, amount of wickets or totting up figures for tea!

So 4 games into the season here are the best batting and bowling as things stand.

BATTING
...........................Innings.......Not Outs.....Runs.....H/S.......Avg.....RunRate

Simon Schwerdt-----4-----------0----------190------80------47.5------190.5
Andy Wheeler -------4------------0----------94--------47------47--------100
Paul Dover-----------4-----------1-----------134-------66------44.6------71.4
Nick Cockcroft-------3------------1-----------83-------47-------41.5------51.1
Michael Sant---------4-----------0-----------147-------69------36.7------62.5
Alex Bailey-----------4------------0----------128------95-------32--------33.3

BOWLING
............................Overs........Maids...Runs....Wkts....Best......Econ....Av

Nick Cockcroft-----39.3---------8------120------15----6/29----3.04----8
Richard Harrison--51.2--------18------145------5-----3/20----2.83---29
Andy Rhodes--------26----------4-------122-----5----3/64----4.69----24.4
Darran Jayes--------23.3--------4-------80------4-----3/15-----3.4----20
Chris Quaife--------13-----------2-------39-------0-----0/18------0-----0

Special thanks to www.ilkley.play-cricket.com for use of their excellent stat section.

Log on again in a few weeks to see the latest figures!

Up the ICC!

Twenty20 - Otley

2006-05-24T08:50:00.000Z

Date - Thursday 18th May 2006

The ICC opened their Twenty20 2006 account just as they had done with the league programme... with a comprehensive victory.

The visitors to Denton Road on this cold and damp summer evening were Otley. With entertainment superbly provided by Rhodes Sound Systems (RSS Ltd) an enjoyable evening was had by all.

Ilkley 189-7 (Schwerdt 64, Jakesy 38, Santy 40)
Otley 163-5 (Schwerdt's mate 60, No. 3 58)

Next up - Burley

Game 5 - Menston (Away)

2006-05-22T11:36:00.000Z

Abandoned!

The early cancellation of this game meant that a few of the Ilkley lads could take shelter in The Yard http://www.theyardilkley.co.uk and partake in a few afternoon pints.

In hindsight this was probably a bad idea as both Wheels and Lager were to pay the price.

Rumours have been rife all season regarding Wheels lack of
drinking stamina and unfortunately for him they were proven to be correct. His eyes went and so did he! Carted off by his mum like a naughty schoolboy... will he ever live it down!? Hope he enjoyed the hangover!
The ICC were to witness another casualty though! Just as Dickie was performing a superb solo of Vanilla Ice on the kareoke, Lager went missing. Where could he be? The remaining few looked everywhere! And there he was, happy as larry on the kitchen floor catching some zzzzzz's! Top work JV!

Rhodesy Lad School of Cricket

2006-05-22T11:31:00.000Z

Here ladies and gentleman is Rhodesy Lad perfectly depicted against Illingworth last week!

With thanks to http://www.cricket-tees.co.uk/

Waddilove Cup Round 1, Follifoot (Home)

2006-05-22T11:13:00.000Z

This re-arranged fixture proved a damp squib to all concerned.

The match was delayed in getting started and the only highlights to report was some excellent bowling from Andy Rhodes and a fine knock from Simon.

Whilst Follifoot batted first and scored 204 (Follifoot's opener scoring a superb 112), unfortunately the weather put paid to an Ilkley response with each batsmen having an eye on the ever darkening clouds and trying to up the run-rate in case the umpires brought the players off.
Suffice to say, despite the rain the players remained in the middle and the Ilkley response was 149 all out.

Good luck to Follifoot in the next round!

Illingworth at home - Game 4

2006-05-19T12:13:00.000Z

Date Saturday 13th May 2006

After a week of glorius sunshine, the ICC team were looking forward to a double-header of cricket.
Typically, the rain fell overnight and Saturday was a damp, cold and miserable day. AWOL for Saturday's match was Cocky who was having a kickabout with Michael Owen. Youngster Richard Rhodes came in after knocking some substantial runs in the two's.
With both teams riding high at the right end of the table Captain Quaife stated it would be Ilkley's first real test of the season.
Again losing the toss, Ilkley were put in and Bails and Simon got the innings off to a good start before Bails fell to a dubious lbw. Santy was number three this week and with his first ball of the innings played a tremendous shot throgh the legside.
Simon at the other end was his usual attacking self and started to get stuck into the Illingworth Aussie, including clubbing a beautiful 6 into Denton Road. Another four followed the next ball and with 14 already off the over it seemed the Illingworth skipper would take the foul-mouthed bowler off... alas with his final delivery he pitched one on a length and the unfortunate Simon was bowled by one that kept low.

'Russell the Hustler and Bustler' Dover joined Sant and promptly decided to run his colleague out, the unfortunate Sant stranded halfway down the wicket. With the score on 86-3 and with 30 overs left Wheels walked out and tried to steady the ICC nerves. The Hustler and Wheels batted well together, hitting the bad ball when necessary but otherwise trying to run the overs down and protect the middle and lower order from a decent Illingworth attack. Just as Wheels started to look comfortable and was seeing the ball well he too fell the same way as Simon and got a straight one that rolled, bowled for 15.

Making his debut with the bat for the first and coming in at number six, much to the delight of his proud brother was Richie Rhodes. With 19 overs left and the Illingworth bowlers seemingly on top it was no easy time but the young left-hander took it all in his giant stride and played some quite majestic shots all around the wicket. Paul was battling hard at the other end and was doing a great impersonation of the absent Cockcroft, grinding one's and two and generally proving a nuisance to the Illingworth bowlers.
With 13 overs left both batsmen now sensed it was time to take the attack to the opposition and boundaries were coming at regular intervals, especially from the bat of Dover who had now advanced to 48. And when he hit a wonderful cut through point to notch a well deserved maiden 50 for the ICC - good work The Hustler.

At the other end youngster Rhodes got a shocker from the umps, given out lbw despite almost shaking hands with the Illingworth spinner such was the distance he was down the wicket. But he deservdly received a rich round of applause from the shivering spectators after scoring a well crafted 24... well done Rhodes Junior.

Andy 'Tourettes' Rhodes came in at 7 but he was soon back in the pavilion getting caught at cover. The poor boundary marker outside the changing room had drawn this weeks short straw, Andy Lad smashing it across the outfield in frustration.

Captain Quaife hurried to the crease and scurried soon back, out caught behind.

The ICC were in danger of collapsing here and when Paul was caught for an excellent 72 the remaining Ilkley batsmen came and went for very few, eventually Jayes getting caught for none with still an over left. How costly this late collapse would prove only time would tell.

At tea, Paul was somewhat disappointed much to the bemusement of his teamates who had just witnessed his best innings for the ICC - then they saw the telly, Liverpool 2 - 3 West Ham (unlucky Paul, there's always next season said the sympathetic Guppy!).

Rhodes Senior and Dick opened the ICC bowling and the impressive Rhodes in particular was bowling quite superbly - genuine pace and movement from the young quickie.

After 7 overs and only 12 runs on the board the ICC lads were anticipating the early pressure would show and that a breakthrough was imminent. Then the Illingworth opener hit one straight to mid-wicket where Richy Rhodes was patrolling a went for a suicidal single, the youngster picked the ball up cleanly and threw the ball like a missile at the stumps... unfortunatley he missed his target but got second prize and felled the batsmen after smashing the ball straight into his ankle! And so a new nickname was born... Richy 'Sniper' Rhodes! Good shot lad!

Guppy brought himself on at Rhodesy end where he had bowled his limit. The skipper played a blinder and finished an excellent first over with a wicket bowling the opener all ends up.

This was to be the only breakthrough for too long, Sledger of Illingworth and Number 3 proved to be stubborn resistance, calmly accumulating runs at a steady rate.

Dover tried in vain, Guppy also but credit to both batsmen they gave little away apart from a spilled chance from Bails with 14 overs to go. The ICC boys kept their heads up however, Captain Quaife, Rich, Wheels and Paul all rallying the troops.

In a last throw of the dice Skip brought back on Andy Rhodes and he soon got back in the groove bowling some magnificent deliveries, beating the edge time and again. But when Sledger mis-timed a drive in the air to no-one it was too much for the frustrated youngster and he let fly with a few choice expletives for the opening batsmen. The umpire was not impressed and requested Guppy calm his fiery bowler down. Like all good captains, he managed to get the best from Rhodesy Lad and two balls later the youngster had the last laugh catching Sledger off his own bowling! Rhodesy produced a great imitation of Brett Lee, punching his fists in delight.
And the very next ball he bowled a jaffa and off-stump was cart-wheeling out of the ground before Number 4 had played his attempted drive! Hat-trick on but it wasn't meant to be.

With 6 overs left and 18 runs to chase it was game on!

Dick was trying to keep runs down and after Andy Rhodes had again finished his quota Captain Quaife threw the ball to Junior Rhodes to try and inspire Ilkley to victory with 2 overs left. Alas, despite some fine deliveries the Illingworth batsmen knocked the winning runs off and in fairness it was probably a deserved victory.

Captain Quaife was not too disheartened by the defeat and hoped it would serve as a kick up the backside for his men who may have thought Division C would be a breeze. Words were said about the collapse of the lower order and it is to be hoped this was taken on board and that lessons will be learnt.

Paul The Hustler was a happy man though… Liverpool triumphed on penalties winning the FA Cup!

Not that he could celebrate in the bar for too long though as the lads would be back in the morning for the rearranged cup match against Division A front runners Follifoot.

Up The ICC!

Current League Table

2006-05-19T10:57:00.000Z

Just to keep you up to date with the current league standings. The ICC sit third at present after 4 games. With only two automatic places to Division B it looks sure to be a tense season.

Club --------------- Played ------- Total Pts

Illingworth.............................4...............................22
Harden...................................4...............................19
Ilkley....................................4...............................17
New Rover.............................4................................14
Bolton Villas..........................4................................13
Menston................................4................................12
Colton ...................................4................................11
Alwoodley .............................4...............................10
Ben Rhydding .......................4.................................8
Woodhouse ..........................4.................................7
Addingham ...........................4.................................2
Skipton .................................4.................................1

Come on The ICC!

Support Your Club!

2006-05-18T15:00:00.000Z

Check out http://ilkley.play-cricket.com/ for everything ICC orientated. It is a superb site, complete with message board and guest book. In our opinion however, the best bit of the site has to be the excellent Stats section. Every stat you could ever think of is on here, complete with graphs and pie charts (not the edible kind Simon!).

It really is a 'one stop shop' for everything to do with Ilkley Cricket Club, ranging from the Under 9's to the 1st XI. Support your club and take a few minutes to have look round the site!

The Phantom Blogger!

2006-05-18T14:52:00.000Z

News is getting round the clubhouse of the blog! Go to http://ilkley.play-cricket.com/ and see for yourself. No-one is owning up at the moment but the finger has been pointed at all three new boys - Cocky, Wheels or The Hustler, whilst some think it could be the debonair and handsome Jo Varley.

All will be revealed...

Or will it!

Player Profiles

2006-05-14T09:09:00.000Z

Chris Quaife (Captain)

An exciting and attacking batsman who has plundered runs throughout his career, Guppy's never-say-die attitude and enthusiasm rubs off on his players and has the respect of all of his men.
Recently concentrated much of his efforts on bowling like his all-time hero - Robert Croft... except Guppy's better!
However, his fielding is almost as painful to witness as his cheesy gags!
After moving from darn sarf as a kid to Gods Own Country Guppy typically chose to support Man Utd... strange that! And who said he bears a striking resemblance to Desperate Dan?!

Jo Varley (wk / Vice-Captain)

A nickname of 'Lager' would probably make you think that Jo likes a drink or two... and you'd be right! Where this man puts his drink is anyone’s guess but his slight build has known to guzzle its way through over 50 pints on a weekend.
An excellent wicketkeeper who always rallies the troops. Despite first impressions Jo is actually an intelligent bloke and amongst his literature portfolio are articles for such esteemed academic journals such as The Beano and Shoot.

Michael Sant

An artist by profession one would expect Santy to be in the Michael Vaughan mould, playing delicate shots along the floor, beautiful cut shots through point and exquisite drives through the cover region but no Santy is a brute of a cricketer and eats up the most intimidating of bowlers for breakfast. The sheer size of this hairy beast enable him to mis hit sixes and he bullies and destroys whatever anyone dare throw down at him. Off the wicket you couldn't meet a nicer chap.

Nick Cockcroft

New signing Cocky is a genuine allrounder. A stubborn right handed batmen, a crafty left-arm spinner and quick as lightening cover point fielder. Batting at number 3 he will hold any innings together and invariably provides the platform for his teamates to go on and score the runs. His trademark shot would have to be his down on one knee cover drive - simply delightful.

Paul Dover

Despite being an Ilkley resident for more than ten years 'nice but dim' Paul didn't realise there was a cricket club right on his doorstep and every weekend for the last ten summers has travelled all the way to Thackley!!!
After his three year old son pointed out his dads mistake he joined The ICC this year and has immediately proved a popular member of the dressing room... despite being a Liverpool fan!

Richard Harrison

A man of few words, 'Dicky' as he affectionately likes to be known is your typical, blunt Yorkshireman... especially when it comes to getting a drink in for the lads. Recently, an unidentified member of the camp had a look in Richards wallet and found 3 shillings, a rations book and a Penny Farthing stamp.
An exceptional bowler who took a magnificent 10 for at the end of Season 2005 he is sure to spearhead the ICC bowling artillary, especially as he was given a pair of new knees at Christmas.

Simon Schwerdt

Ladies man Simon has already proved a hit with the fairer sex and if some reports are to be believed Aussie Simon has scored more notches than he has runs - and this genuine batsmen is a prolific run machine!
Immediately proving a popular lad amongst ALL his teamates and living with two other Aussies above a pub Simon has settled remarkably well in Yorkshire. Simon has set himself a target of a thousand runs... and a thousand women.

Andy Wheeler

The other new boy in the squad, Wheels is an attacking left-handed batsmen and economic seam bowler. Fielder - hmm maybe not! Wheel’s is another one who has soon settled in to the spirit of ICC and his enthusiasm and determination to get the team up the divisions should prove a real asset in the future. Stories of a lack of stamina at drinking have yet to be corroborated first hand but with an anonymous tip-off it seems only a matter of time.

Alex Bailey

Bail’s is the baby of the group and as such the team like to put a protective arm around its young prodigy and Bails is more than happy to guzzle from Guppy's mighty bosoms.
Alex is an exciting young talent and an attacking opener. His ondrives have been known to leave his teamates drooling - 'sublime' was the word invented for that particular shot.
Bails often tours the world with his thrash-metal band and his sex, drugs and rock & roll tour image contrasts sharply with his quiet, witty persona around The ICC.
Bails is sure to be a success this season, he's hard-working and a battler to the end.

Darren Jayes

Dazzler or Jay Ze as he is known in the hood, is a gangsta and came to Ilkley via the Caribbean... man.
A thinking mans cricketer and clever left arm spinner he uses flight and changes of pace to outwit even the most clever of batsmen. A quiet man around the dressing room, this disguises a steely edge and an intensity to win.
Genuine number 11.

Andrew Rhodes

A fiery, aggressive, fast bowler this youngster is sure to terrorise opposition batsmen for years to come. Despite being only just old enough to consume alcohol he is the only man who can rival Lager in the drinking stakes. Unfortunately, he also the only man who match Lager's garish wardrobe, much to the amusement of Yorkshire's women!

Waddilove Cup, Round 1

2006-05-11T13:31:00.000Z

Date - Sunday 7th May 2006

Home to Follifoot (Postponed)

Unfortunately, extra curricular activity involving Bails and Rhodesy Lad from the previous night had left the ICC pitch unplayable.

(Note; 'Officially' a waterlogged pitch prevented play)

Game to be replayed Sunday 14th May

Alwoodley Away - Game 3

2006-05-11T12:57:00.000Z

Saturday 6th May 2006

Alwoodley away, maybe the powers that be should declare this as a 'Site of Outstanding Natural Beauty'. No offence to any of our Woodhouse friends but within a week the ICC has seen probably the 2 most contrasting of grounds Division C has to offer... Alwoodley is set back away from the hustle and bustle of a busy main road and driving slowly down the little dirt lane you are transported into a beautiful and peaceful haven of sport. 2 cricket grounds are adjacent to Old Leo's Rugby Club and Alwoodley CC is bordered by deep, dark woodland where the songs of whistling birds are only temporarily silenced by leather on willow, the occasional polite applause for a good shot... or the annoying honk of Mrs Harrison’s car horn when the ICC have taken another wicket!!!

Ilkley went into this game on the back of successive opening victories and with an unchanged team from the Woodhouse game. Spirit was good and a bit of pre-game slip catching settled any nerves some may have had, Dick managing to catch every single chance that came his way... a sign of things to come perhaps?
The Skip lost another toss but it didn't matter as Alwoodley chose to put us in which is what he wanted!

Simon and Bails opened as per usual and despite the awkward slant the wicket has both played the ACC quickies well, particular Schwerdty who seemed to enjoy the ball coming on to him that bit quicker. Bail’s was out very uncharacteristically however, playing all round a straight one.

Cocky went in with the score 30-1 and he too was soon back in the pavilion, unfortunate to play on as only the one bail was dislodged.

In walked Santy. Within minutes however, the Alwoodley keeper had taken an absolute stormer to dismiss Aussie Simon... the ICC lads and to be fair the Alwoodley team could not believe their eyes as this was the same man who so far couldn't catch the proverbial cold! So Paul now joined Santy in the middle and the ICC were at a rocky 60-3 with 32 overs left.

Paul and Santy batted really well and with these two attacking batsmen ICC were never in danger of retreating into their shells. Santy in particular was going for his shots and was fortunate to be dropped on a number of occasions. But ride his luck he did and the ICC faithful were more than happy with the generosity of the Alwoodley fielders!

With 10 overs to go Santy and Paul had steered the ship safely and Paul went for a booming drive only to be held at cover. Paul wasn't to know he was so close to making his maiden 50 for the ICC finishing on 45 but he should take solace that if he continues to bat in this vein that landmark is only just round the corner.

Fellow new boy Wheels replaced Paul and he decided to go for the tired Alwoodley jugular, immediately hitting 8 from his first three balls and encouraging a weary Santy to continue playing his aggressive game. More dropped catches were to follow before Santy was clean bowled with 6 overs left. He finished on 69 and was warmly applauded by the ICC dressing room for a job well done.

Captain Quaife came and went with a dubious lbw that even the Alwoodley bowler thought Guppy had middled!

Not that this was to matter as Rhodesy Lad came in and smashed the ACC bowlers all round the ground, including one huge 6! Wheels and Rhodes tormented the Alwoodley quickies and Rhodesy helped nick a few extra runs with some excellent running between the wickets.
Wheels and Rhodes both carried their bats and the ICC finished on 220-6.

The Alwoodley teas were a hearty affair and were enjoyed by all. However, during the break the ICC players seemed oblivious to the fact that a huge black cloud was making its way toward the ground!
And on entering the field of play to get the Alwoodley reply underway spots of rain were indeed falling. Not that this was to put off Rhodes and Harrison who soon used the conditions to their advantage, getting the ball to nip and dart round. The rain became heavier and the batsmen were now gesturing to the umpires to come off. To the umpires credit however, they let play continue and after 6 overs the shower had past... credit where its due, the umpires were right in allowing play to go on.
Finally, Rhodesy Lad got his reward and indeed his first wicket of 2006 as the Alwoodley opener holed out to Wheels at mid-on. 4 balls later and Rhodes was unlucky as the new batsmen edged to first slip where the normally reliable Harrison dropped it. (Maybe Dick had used all his luck at slip practice!). Rhodes kept his head up and watched in awe as Bails took the catch of the season so far with a splendid one handed catch far to his left at mid-wicket. Superb!
And before long Rhodesy got another, Guppy taking a smart chance at mid on.

Captain Quaife decided to take the tiring Rhodes off and brought Cocky into the action. With Dick bowling a tight and economic line at the other end, the ICC were taking a real stranglehold on the game.
Cocky once again didn't take long to get into the game and with his 5th ball bowled the ACC number 4 all ends up!

At the other end Dick finally got the wicket his spell deserved as Jo Varley took a nick close behind the stumps. At 60-5 the Alwoodley lower order had two options – ‘Option 1’ - dig deep, bat properly and try and get a point or ‘Option 2’ - play recklessly, go for big shots and give their wickets away cheaply. They went for option 2!

Cocky then bowled one of his clever full tosses that Guppy snaffled up. Then Rhodesy became the new owner of the title 'Catch of the Season' as he somehow managed to jump 2 yards in the air and pluck a bullet from the sky from Harrison’s bowling.

Jayes now replaced Dick and maybe should have held on to a chance off his own bowling in his first over... he certainly wishes he had as the fumbled attempt split his finger open and he wimpered off the field to find a plaster!

With his confidence on the up Cocky took the game by the scruff and proceeded to open up the soft underbelly of the Alwoodley batsmen and took his second 5for in successive weeks! Well bowled lad!

Ilkley 220-6 (Sant 69, Dover 45, Wheeler 34*,Schwerdt 24) Alwoodley 99 all out (Cockcroft 5-31, Rhodes 3-26)

After the game some interesting stats from resident Statto Paul 'The Bustler' Dover were noted.

In three games this season ICC have scored over 200 runs each innings.

In these three games the ICC bowlers have bowled mangaged to bowl the opposition out twice.

Only once in these games has a catch been put down.

So Alwoodley capitulated for 99 and the ICC juggernaught rumbles along. Captain Quaife was quick to praise his men but quite rightly equally as quick to tell them that the high standards must be kept, that a long season is ahead and to battle to the death.

Woodhouse Away - Game 2

2006-05-03T14:17:00.000Z

Date 29th April 2006 - Woodhouse Away

On arrival at the postage stamp that is Woodhouse Cricket Club you could almost see the Ilkley batsmen licking their lips when they realised the proximity of the boundary edge to the crease! Even Cocky fancied hitting his first ever six in Senior cricket!!!

Team

C Quaife (Capt)
A Bailey
N Cockcroft
P Dover
R Harrison
D Jayes
A Rhodes
M Sant
S Schwerdt
J Varley (wk)
A Wheeler

Captain Quaife was quick to warn against any complacency however and told his batsmen to ‘get set, bat properly and the runs would come’.

After winning his first toss of the season Guppy elected to bat and the opening pair of Simon and Bails strode confidently out to the middle... and what a first over! Aussie Simon promptly smashed Woodhouses’s opening bowler for 20 runs, including a huge six into the beck that runs behind the ground.
Simon, it seemed was in no mood to hang around and got the ICC off to a flyer smashing 45 off the first 4 overs!

Bails was a little more sedate in his approach and was happy to give Simon the strike calmly knocking runs all around the ground before again succumbing to an lbw on 20.

No panic at this point and with Cocky coming in at three the ICC team were a happy bunch of men. Cockcroft got off to an uncharacteristic start, rapidly advancing into double figures before he remembered who he was and swiftly reverted back to self and dead batted the next 59 deliveries!
At the other end Simon was still on a mission and with only 15 overs gone and already on 80 the ICC team were hoping to see its first centurion of the season. Alas, Woodhouse changed its bowling and the new man quickly had Simon caught on the boundary edge.

In walked No. 4 Sant and he soon walked back! Calling a suicidal single off his own shot he was expertly run out by mid on from a superb direct hit.

And so out strode the immaculately attired Paul Dover. He joined the ever-dependable Cockcroft in the middle and the conversation must have been to consolidate for a while. The WCC 2nd change had other ideas though and came up with a cunning plan – Ball 1, full toss. Ball 2, full toss (ah, maybe he knows of Pauls weakness against full tosses, thought the Ilkley dressing room!) Ball 3, half-tracker. Ball 4, genuine half volley that PD smashed straight at cover. Ball 5 – he bowls the delivery of the game, pitches it on a length on leg stump, Paul plays down that line before realises too late that the ball was now heading for the top of off-stump. It flicked the bail and much hollering and whooping from the bowler followed happy in the knowledge that he’d stuck to his plan and worked out the destructive Dover before he got going!

And so with their tales somewhat raised the WCC saw the left-handed Wheeler walk to the middle and smelt victory. With 28 overs still remaining, Ilkley were in danger of sprinting this particular marathon. With 140 runs on the board the two former Burley players knew that at least runs weren’t a problem, survival and the protection of the lower order was the immediate priority. It wasn’t quite the scenario Wheels would have liked to have made his debut for the ICC with his bat but any nerves he may have had were soon dispelled with a tidy single off his first delivery. The two Burley Boys batted well together and clearly enjoyed each others styles of play. The defence-minded Cockcroft was happy for Wheels to play a more expansive and fluent game and with 10 overs left and the hundred partnership in their sights Wheels decided to push on... Shezad the overseas player was on and after dispatching his first two deliveries straight back over his head for huge sixes, Wheels went for one hit too many and was caught on the boundary three short of his 50.

Captain Quaife stepped up to the plate and despite recent eye problems he rolled back the years and showed his class with some lovely shots through the off-side. It was all out attack from Ilkley now and with the lower order going for their shots, the wickets and runs were aplenty and the Ilkley innings ended in the last over as the ICC were all out for 280. Cockcroft was unfortunate to be out lbw close to getting his 50 but credit must be given as he held the innings together and built a platform that that the team felt they could defend.
At this point it is only right to mention the bowling performance of Captain Bray for Woodhouse who bowled terrifically well for 24 overs going for just 46 runs.

A magnificent spread by the Woodhouse tea-lady interrupted proceedings for half an hour, the jam tarts a particular highlight!

And so Rhodes and Harrison opened the bowling. Rhodes can count himself unlucky as after a good first two overs the Woodhouse batsmen decided to get after him and he did end up going for a 2 or three 6's.
The pressure was maintained at the other end by Dick however; whom produced some real jaffa's to keep the WCC pair on their toes and got his reward when he bowled Holmes for 20.
At this point Guppy brought Paul Dover into the attack but the Woodhouse batsmen simply would not allow Paul to settle into any kind of rhythm and unfortunately for him he too was brought off after just 4 overs. This was strong but good captaincy from the skipper and after consultation with his right-hand man Jo Varley he decided to swap Harrison to the bottom end and bring on left arm spinner Cockcroft. This proved to be an inspired decision as Cocky got a wicket with his very first ball!
With Harrison now into the groove at the other end pressure soon began to show when another Cockcroft pearler brought overseas player Shezad to the crease Woodhouse were looking down the barrel. Shezad and partner Pickles weren't about to give up without a fight though and when Shezad decided to get some of his own back on Ilkley, he smashed Harrison to all parts of the ground in one over scoring 26 off it in the process. Cocky again held his nerve though and when he bowled 3 consecutive dot balls the pressure got to Shezad and the Pakistani went for another big shot only to see it rocket straight into the hands of Jayes on the boundary edge. Shezad certainly deserved the generous applause he received from both his Ilkley counterparts and the Woodhouse faithful.
The catch effectively put Woodhouse out of the game with the score at 150-5. On came Jayes himself and within 10 overs the ICC had the game wrapped up. Cocky picked up a great 6-29 and Jayes mopped up the tail taking a quick 3-15.

Ilkley CC 277 all out (Schwerdt 62, Cockcroft 47 Wheeler 47)
Woodhouse 179 all out (Cockcroft 12-4-29-6, Harrison 14-6-62-1, Jayes 5.3-1-15-3)

And so the ICC establish themselves as the early pacesetters at the top of Aire Wharfe Division C. Captain Quaife targeted promotion at the beginning of the campaign and he could not at this stage expect any more from his troops. Nevertheless, he will now be insistent that the team stick to the high standards they have set themselves.

Sunday 7th May brings Division A team Follifoot to Denton Road and this will be a real opportunity for the Ilkley squad to pit their wits against some quality opposition.

Up the ICC!

A New Beginning

2006-04-28T16:51:00.000Z

Opening Game of the season.

And so the season and indeed this blog begins!

First XI vs Addingham CC

This is the first time Ilkley have found themselves playing in the 3rd tier of the Aire Wharfe Senior Cricket League and skipper Chris Quaife is hoping for an immediate return to Division B. However, despite relegation last year the club has a positive atmosphere about it and with the clubhouse undergoing a small refurb, along with some decent recruitment in the winter months everyone in the Ilkley camp was in buoyant mood.

It was local village Addingham that were to be ICC's opening fixture for the 2006 Season at home at the picturesque Denton Road ground.

Chris Quaife (Capt)
Alex Bailey
Nick Cockcroft
Paul Dover
Richard Harrison
Rory Kruner
Michael Sant

Simon Schwerdt
Andy Rhodes
Jo Varley (Wk)
Andy Wheeler

New signings Nick Cockcroft, Andy Wheeler and Paul Dover all started the game and 15 year old Richard Rhodes was also handed his 1st XI debut after the late withdrawal of Craig Rackham.
Young Australian Simon Schwerdt also starts his first game for the ICC. Simon is a from Kensington, Adelaide and is no stranger to English soil having played last year for Thirsk and knocking up a healthy average of 40 in the process.

Onto the game then. Eventually the Addingham team turned up, it seems they thought it was a 1.30pm start as opposed to 1pm. After waiting patiently Captain Quaife inevitably lost the toss!
Addingham decided to have bowl. It was a decision they would rue...
17 year old Alex Bailey and Aussie Simon opened the batting and played some delightful shots sharing an opening stand of 130, before Simon fell immediatley after notching his first 50 for the club. Cockcroft stepped out and joined Alex at the crease. The patient and deliberate Cocky was an excellent foil to the attacking flair displayed by Bails - indeed the on-drives Alex executed were simply sublime. After getting into the nervous 90's it seemed the ICC faithful were to be treated to Alex's first Senior century. Alas, it was not to be and when Bails shouldered arms to one that nipped back the umps raised his finger with the unlucky Alex on 95.

No complaints from the young opener and surely in this sort of form it won't be long before Alex notches up his first ton.

In walked number 4 Michael Sant and with license from the skip to play his natural game he soon overtook the hardworking Cocky. Santy bludgeoned and smashed and bullied the hapless Dingham bowlers to all parts of the ground, including a huge six that went straight into Rugby ground! The unfortunate Richard Hey couldn't have had a worse return to his old club - his figures read 19-0-108-1.

Sant went for one shot to many and was bowled but not before he finished on 43.

In walked Paul Dover to join fellow new boy Cocky and with only a few overs left treat the spectators to some lusty blows quickly finishing on 18, again a big six was involved... no mean feat at the large Denton Road ground. And so after 50 overs Ilkley went into tea with 250-3 on the board.

Ilkley began their response in confident mood and Richard Harrison and Paul Dover opened the bowling. Both tried hard but Addinghams old guard had obviously decided 1 point would be good enough for them as just one 4 was hit in the first 12 overs!
Up stepped Captain Quaife to have a go and he bowled very well, indeed the Skip could count himself unlucky as on one occaision he bowled the opener all ends up, somehow missed the stumps only to see the ball ricochet straight into Santy's helmet directly behind the wickets - 5 in the extra's column!

Paul had tried his heart out at the other end without much luck so Cocky was thrown the ball and given a go. It paid dividends immediatly as he was soon causing all sorts of problems and soon got his reward on getting Captain Simpson caught behind by the excellent Jo Varley.
Cocky was in the groove now and not before long he had 4 deserved wickets and Addingham were going nowhere fast. Captain Quaife rotated the other end and gave Wheeler and Bailey chances before Richard Harrison came back on to claim his first wicket of the 2006 season.

Special mention also to Richard Rhodes who came on for the last over of the game and bowled a very tidy looking maiden - the youngster certainly didn't look out of place.

Ilkley CC 250 - 3 (Bails 93, Simon 50, Santy 43, Cocky 31*)
Addingham 140 - 4 (Cocky 4-60, Harrison 1-26)

So 5 points out of a possible 6 and the ICC juggernaught is off and running. Next stop Woodhouse.