2nd Round Barrett Cup
The weather played its part in the game being played last Tuesday night.
The visitors were Thirsk 2nd, who sit three points clear of us at the top of the 4th Division. So, it could be possible to lay down a marker for when we play them in the League on the 2nd July.
We won the toss and asked them to go first. They had reached 17 when Jack Kitching removed one opener. Two balls later he removed the other opener – both bowled. Another wicket fell at 20. T Hogg then took the attack to the bowlers, along with his captain J Goode. We finally claimed the scalp of Hogg (106-4) who hit 8×6 2×4 in a 34-ball knock of 72, in the 12th over. The last 8 overs were a bit of a procession as we claimed 6 wickets for 28 runs to see them with a very respectable 134. Sam Keane took 4-31 off 4 overs, Hammaad Hussain 2-16 and Kitch 2-20.
We made steady progress and after 12 overs we were 73-3 and falling behind the run rate required. Enter Haroon Ali, his innings was dot ball, 1,6,6, wicket, but those two maximums released the shackles. Gareth Wooler joined his skipper, Morgan Davies and saw us over the line, by six wickets, with 5 balls to spare. Morgs made 47no from 50 balls and Gaz 16 from 21 balls.
Nidderdale League
First Eleven
On Saturday we welcomed Goldsborough II to Shires Lane. Thankfully the weather was fine and sunny with a blustery wind.
They batted first and opened with 35 for the first wicket. From there, mini partnerships were the order of the day until they reached 110-9. Their number 10 batter managed 23 out of a last wicket partnership of 25. The innings closed on 135 with two wickets each for Sam Arkwright, Haroon Ali, Hammaad Hussain, Andrew Foulds and a wicket apiece for Tom Robinson and Sam Keane.
We found ourselves 24-2 before Andrew, making his season’s debut, and Tom Bailey put on 92 for the third wicket, where the former went for 49. Tom went onto 64no (3×6 9X4) to take us to the points by seven wickets in only the 18th over.
We remain in second spot still three points behind Thirsk II.
Second Eleven
We made the journey to Studley Royal 4th who play in the grounds of Studley Royal Deer Park near to Fountains Abbey. The ground was in fine fettle, but there was a blustery wind blowing. As one player commented “what a wonderful place for a picnic”
With several players unavailable for various reasons, the team had an “ancient and modern” look. Brian Hodgson (70+) making a first appearance for three years, Alan Robinson (68) and Bob Bateman (65) leading the golden oldies. On the other hand, we had three juniors playing with Ben Jolly making his debut.
We won the toss and asked them to go first and they struggled to make runs – one of their openers took 37 balls to make 3. A combination of Paul Wormald and Jago Bean proved a decisive combination. The former bowled 10 overs for 3-8 and the latter 10 overs for 4-18. I feel obliged to make mention of Wormers “miracle” ball which bowled their opener “neck and crop”. Gareth Wooler took 2-23 and Adam Harding 1-25 as they were all out for 78 in the 31st over. We dropped three catches but in the main the fielding was excellent with Hodge taking a blinding catch at first slip and Ben taking one in the outfield as the ball came over his shoulder.
Gareth opened with 13-year-old Thomas Mountain with the latter instructed to act as a foil to the former. Their opening bowlers keep a tight rein on the batters early on as we only managed 21 off 11 overs. Thomas did the job in an excellent manner taking 57 balls to make 12no. The former played his part as he made 56no (1×6 7×4) to take us to victory by 10 wickets in 21 overs.
We gained two points on Pannal 3rds and are clear at the top by 14 points.
Under 11’s
On Wednesday the Under 11s entertained Settle u11s. Going first we managed 81-3 of our 20 overs, which gave us a net score of 257. Skipper Olive Ratcliffe made 20no and Henry Pighills 17no.
In the visitor’s innings only number 9, Alfie Wilson, 19no and Finlay Cross 11 managed double figures. They lost 8 wickets which equates to 64 runs. Hugo Brookfield-Eddison took 2-11 with a wicket apiece for Reece Jolly, Olive, Adam Lovell, Billy Collins and Henry.
Fixtures
The next game for the U11’s is on Monday 13th at the formidable Great Horton Church in the semi final of the cup. On Thursday they visit Sutton U11s. Then on Sunday they take part in the Black Rat Cricket Festival at Skipton CC with a 9-30am start. All U11s games are sponsored by Roger Tiffany Builders Ltd.
On Tuesday the 1st XI takes on Sessay 3rd in the quarter final of the Barrett Cup at Shires Lane with a 6-30pm start.
On Saturday the 1st XI travels to Sicklinghall, Nr Wetherby. Whilst the 2ndXI are at home to Knaresborough Forest 3rds. The match ball is sponsored by Mary Hargreaves.
Two points of interest. Brian Hodgson’s appearance on Saturday means that he in his 8th decade of playing at Embsay CC. In that time, he has scored 10,535 runs. Also in the game was Robert (Bob) Bateman who has scored 12,300 runs.
The last time Embsay played at Studley Royal Deer Park was in the early 90s when we played a friendly against Studley Royal. Memories are a bit fuzzy but I am certain that a youth, Richard Holden, took 9 wickets in their innings. After the game he tried to claim the ball only to be told that a player has to take all ten to stand any chance of having the ball!!!!
Trevor Coe – ECC Chairman
