Farsley did have the additional advantage of winning a vital toss as Lightcliffe struggled on a pitch, that although covered against the lunchtime heavy rain, had a wet patch just on a length at the bottom end.

The lively visiting bowlers were able to exploit this and with the exception of Bruce Lunn and to a lesser extent, Jonathan Wilson and late resistance from Paul Ramsden, no batsman found it easy. In fact, five of the Lightcliffe batsmen "failed to trouble the scorer".

Lunn was an outstanding exception, and the still modest total of 115 was mainly due to him. He played a range of handsome drives to anything over pitched and cut anything short in the arc between point and third-man. He showed why he is known throughout the club as the "classical cricketer".

Things were easier after tea, but even so Lightcliffe had the Farsley team on the back foot at seven for three with three early wickets from James Horne and Sean Robinson.

However, with only Horne, who captured four wickets, of the only regular strike bowlers in the team Farsley passed the home team's total with the loss of five wickets in only 22 overs.

David Syers, clearly an outstanding prospect at 20, was not out with 67. Ashley Metcalfe, who was unavailable, was clearly not missed in a strong Farsley team.

(Full sports round-up in the Brighouse Echo 10/7/2008)