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First Eleven
Early leaders North Stainley were the visitors to Fortress Shires Lane last Saturday and the game proved to be a low scoring, close affair.
With rain in the air, we won the toss and asked them to go first. No batsman really got in and the highest score was 18 by their number 9 batter. The were all out for 104 in the 37th over. Struan Mackenzie was the best bowler with 4 for 14 off 10 overs, followed by Tom Robinson 3 for 39, Sam Arkwright 2 for 26 and Haroon Ali 1 for 16.
In reply we were never comfortable against an equally good attack and crept to 65 for 5. A stand of 33 took us to within touching distance of the winning post. Then we lost three quick wickets still needing four to win! Standing firm at one end was skipper Morgan Davies. He batted for 86 balls to finish 46 not out and had the task of hitting the winning four for us to take the points. The only other player in double figures was Joe Holt, who made 18, and we were helped by 19 extras.
We remain in second place in the table, seven points behind leaders Walton Park.
Second Eleven
We travelled to Little Ribston to take on Pannal Ash, who won the toss and asked us to bat first. After an opening stand of 62, Casper Bean was out for 27.
With score at 86 Gareth Wooler perished for a battling 40. Young Thomas Mountain battled for 59 balls, whilst wickets tumbled around him. He made 13 and was ninth out with the score on 118. Skipper Paul Wormald hit out and scored a six and a four to close on 16 not out. His partner Chris Stone stayed with him through four overs to ensure that they didn’t get full bowling points. Our total of 128 was going to take some defending. We had the encouragement of an early wicket before their other opener dominated proceedings. If we had taken the one chance that he offered it could have been a close finish. However, he made 85 not out from 67 balls which included 9 fours and 4 sixes. We managed to take four wickets – two bonus points – as they romped home in the 25th over. Our skipper was the most successful of six bowlers tried, taking 2 for 38. Probably the highlight of the fielding was a catch by David Mountain. The batter hit what was like an exocet missile straight at him. I believe if he hadn’t caught it, the ball would have gone straight through him!!!!
Sadly, we are falling further behind the top two, 31 points behind Killinghall and 19 points behind Whixley. So half way through the season we still have all to play for.
This week the 1st XI are at home to Sicklinghall with the match sponsored by Stuart Pope and Lettie and Brendan Keane.
The 2nd XI are away to Kirk Deighton 2nd.
Junior Eleven
The under 11’s have run into some form of late with three victories in their last three games.
Away to Sutton we batted first and made 93 for 1 (Net Score 285). Hugo Brookfield-Eddison top scored with 17 not out, Reece Jolly 16 not out, Ellie Walters 15 not out and Hayden Barrett 12 not out. Their reply mustered 47 all out (Net Score 143) with Rueben Barrett claiming 4 for 5, Jessica Hudson 2 for 3, Reece 2-7 and Hugo 2 for 0.
Next came Settle Boks where we won by 55 runs. Hayden top scored with 14 followed by Hugo 13 not out. We closed on 77 for 8 (Net Score 213). They replied with 62 (Net Score 158) In which Jack Wood took 3 for 11, Reece 2 for 4 and Rueben 2 for 7.
In the latest game we saw off Barnoldswick by 72 runs. With Hugo Brookfield-Eddison scoring 19 not out in our 87 for 5 (Net Score 247) They could only manage 55 (Net Score 175) in their reply.
Trevor Coe – Chairman
