1st XI

The 1^st XI entertained Sessay 3rds on the final Saturday of the season, and put in one of their few under par performances of the season.

The visitors won the toss and inserted the homeside and it paid off handsomely as we were dismissed for 128. It started off well as 42 was put on for the first wicket where Mo Saghir went for 24. His partner, Joe Holt, followed 4 runs later for 15. Three more wickets fell as the total rose to 61 with three of the main achievers in the batting stakes all going for single figures. A mini revival got us to 100 where another three wickets fell including Sam Arkwright for 16 and Nathan Barrett for 22. 28 runs were added for the last two wickets with the innings closing in the 33^rd over.

It seemed all was not lost as we ploughed into their batters to reduce them to 46-6 in the 17^th over. Then we ran into Lee Magerison who had taken 4-19 when bowling. He took the game away from us with a battling 51no (7×4 2×6) and they galloped home by three wickets in the 32^nd over. Haroon Ali finished with 4-29 off his allotted 10 overs with Sam 1-19, Jack Kitching 1-18 and Joe Holt 1-14 also getting wickets.

We end our first season in our new home, top of the division, 21 points clear of Sessay 3rds.

2nd XI

The 2^nd XI finished their season where they started it over at Rainton 2^nd. We won the toss and decided to bat first. Things were going swimmingly as we reached 169-3 in the 35^th over. Then we fell off the rails and lost our last six wickets for just 17 runs! Highlight of the innings had to be a knock of 91 by Gareth Wooler off 106 balls (12×4 1×6), Bob Bateman made 32 and Casper Bean 31.

Our skipper decided to involve some of the lesser bowlers in the chase and it seemed to be working as they were reduced to 86-6. Then a Mr Rawlings decided to throw the bat and he smashed 4 fours and 5 sixes in a 25-ball knock of 53. He was finally undone by a fantastic slower ball from Casper Bean. The innings closed on 154-8. Adam Harding 3-20 was the best bowler with Casper taking 2-19 Harry Ayrton 2-26 and Rory Dollard 1-40.

As with the 1^st XI we finished top of our division 38 points clear of Pannal 3rds.

The players were really impressed with the welcome and after match get together that we enjoyed with Rainton on both occasions.

The teams have done well in the averages and I hope to confirm the news in next weeks bulletin so stay tuned.

Trevor Coe – ECC Chairman