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Silsden bowler takes nine wickets in sizzling showing
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| Zeeshan Qasim took nine wickets for Silsden on Saturday. |
In a sparkling performance which saw bowler Zeeshan Qasim take nine wickets, Silsden recorded their first win of the season, an easy five-wicket victory at Calverley on Saturday.
Qasim, who was Silsden's overseas player last year and put in some solid performances for the club in 2007, was at his best on wicket which favoured the bowlers on Saturday.
Qasim's figures were 9-29 in 15.1 overs, a performance which included six maidens.
Out of his nine wickets, five Calverley players were bowled out, including final wicket of the match where Qasim hit the stumps and sent the bails flying.
After Silsden went into the clubhouse for tea, a humble Qasim said: "I always try the best I can for the team. I'm happy with the performance. It was the best of my career."
Qasim's previous best figures were 7-21 against Horsforth last season. He was the top wicket taker in the Airedale and Wharfedale League's Second Division last season with 65.
Silsden's captain for the day, Lee Bilbrough, spoke highly of his opening bowler, saying: "He bowls head and shoulders above everyone else. We don't expect it but he seems to produce it."
The only wicket that Qasim did not take on Saturday went to new Silsden recruit, James Hall, who came from Addingham.
Silsden bowled a significantly strengthened Calverley team out for just 108 in 30.1 overs.
New Calverley recruit and captain Basil King, who came from Bradford League side Esholt, offered some stiff early resistance to the Silsden bowling attack. He scored 38 before being caught and bowled by Qasim.
In their reply Silsden grafted away but reached their total of 111-5 with two overs to spare. Opener Tim Sugden top scored for Silsden with 25 and Bilbrough scored 21 before being out lbw.
Both Sugden, the club's chairman, and Bilbrough are confident about this season after two consecutive finishes of third, which saw them miss out promotion.
Bilbrough said: "We're certainly ambitious to get promoted but the last seasons we've been up against two other strong sides, Beckwithshaw and Collingham in 2006 and Guiseley and Rawdon in 2007."
Although relegated Steeton, Follifoot and Harden could have something to say in the division title race, Silsden are still without one key component who will make them stronger. Overseas player Matt Pininger has yet to arrive from Melbourne.
Pininger, who was Steeton's overseas player a few years ago, will arrive just in time to face his former side in derby game at Silsden on Saturday, May 17. This Saturday Silsden are at home to Colton.
3:25pm Thursday 1st May 2008
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