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Embsay are Barrett Cup Champions!!!

1st XI
The top of the table clash with leaders Walton Park at Billy Bob’s Ice Cream Parlour sponsored Shires Lane went the way of the visitors by 43 runs. We won the toss and asked them to go first. Our poor early wayward bowling let them get of to a solid start. They put on 40 for the first wicket, before we pulled it back a little only for them to finish strongly and close on 181 for 6 in 37 overs. The reduction in overs was due to a stoppage for rain. Haroon Ali took 4 for 47 in 10 overs, Struan Mackenzie 1 for 27 and Jack Kitching 1-36. The highlight of their innings came from opener Duncan Spencer who made 90 not out (14 fours and 1 six) off 99 balls. Our innings got off to a poor start with Mo Saghir being out for a third ball duck. We recovered to 62 where Tom Stead was out for 43. Skipper Morgan Davies followed one run later and opener Ben Keane, another ten runs added, to leave us 73 for 4. Jack Kitching vainly tried to rally the tail but only Haroon Ali, 11, managed to reach double figures. Jack was ninth out for 41 quickly followed by the last wicket that fell at 138. We only got six points and Walton Park 20. With third placed North Stainley winning, they jump above us into second spot nine points ahead of us.

2^nd XI
The 2^nd XI travelled to Glasshouses to take on Ripley 3rds. The wicket was damp, they and us were keen to play and the groundsman said it was ok to play – so we played! They were reduced to 18-7 in the 12^th over. Then their skipper surprised even his own team mates by despatching consecutive balls for 6. However, the end was in sight and they closed on 36 all out in 21.1 overs. Skipper Paul Wormald was selfless in that he only bowled nine overs (actually he miscounted – he thought he had bowled his allotted ten!) He did finish with 5-10, youngster Thomas Mountain 2-8 and Steve Speak 1-17. Our reply was swift. It took 20 balls to knock the runs off without losing a wicket. Gareth Wooler was 18 not out and George Keane 14 not out. Not ten minutes after the end of the game, the heavens opened and it lashed it down. Our twenty points helps us close the gap on Ben Rhydding, who lost, to eight points. The top two are getting out of reach however with just five game to play.

Barrett Cup
The following day we travelled to West Tanfield to take on North Stainley in the final of the Barrett Cup. They won the toss and asked us to bat first and it was a different attitude from Saturday from the lads. Skipper Morgan Davies had fired his men up saying that the cup was coming home with us. Mo Saghir’s wretched form continued as he went for 9 with the score on 13. Tom Stead, 9, went at 30, Jack Beatham, 7, at 72 and Morgan, 1, at 83. Standing steadfast opener Joe Holt plugged away and hit some lusty blows. At 83 he was joined by Haroon Ali and they took the score to 119 where the former went for 24. Sam Arkwright had to go in for just two balls. Joe hit a four and Arkers was run out, off the last ball! The score was a very creditable 123-6 off our 20 overs. Joe finished on 67 not out (3 fours and 4 sixes) off 59 balls. So now success – or failure – was in our hands and more so the bowlers, and they stepped up to the plate in fine style. Their first wicket fell at 11 and their last one at 78 in 17.5 overs. The biggest partnership was 18 for the fourth wicket. Four bowlers were used – Mo took 4 for 20, Sam 2 for 11, Struan Mackenzie 2 for 21 and Haroon 2-23. Morgan collected the Barrett Cup from the presenter after which Joe was awarded the man of the match trophy awarded by the umpires.

Fixtures
We tackle North Stainley again next Saturday at their place. The 2^nd XI are at home to Little Ribston with the game sponsored by Bullough Cleaning Services.    

Trevor Coe – Chairman