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First Eleven
The 1st XI entertained Thornton Watlass at the Billy Bob’s Ice Cream Parlour sponsored Shires Lane ground.
The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first. Opener Guy Smith top scored with59 as they made their way to 173 all out, aided by 24 extras of which 15 were wides. The bowling was a personal triumph for Struan Mackenzie who claimed 7 for 23 off 10.4 overs. Jack Kitching took 2 for 49 and Sam Arkwright 1 for 46.
Sadly, we started off in what has been a customary fashion – a wicket down without a run on the board. Nathan Barrett and Josh Robinson set about retrieving the situation and the score had reached 50 when the former was out for 28. Jack joined Josh and the score went to 127 where Josh departed for a fine knock of 70 which included here sixes and ten fours. Kitch followed at 133 having made 25. However, from here it was all downhill as we lost six wickets for the addition of 23 runs which left us 15 short of our target. There was still 15 overs left of our innings. We earned eight bonus points which allowed us to stay in ninth place, four points clear of Burnt Yates who also lost.
Second Eleven
The 2nd XI travelled to Knaresborough Forest 2nds and on winning the toss elected to bat. Casper Bean and Maa Nayyar made a great start with 124 for the first wicket where the former fell for 55. He was followed 21 runs later by Maaz who scored 66. The good work was carried on by Danny Horne, 22, Mark Walters, 40 not our and Rory Dollard 26. A fine total of 225 for 6 off our 40 overs.
We got two quick wickets to leave them 22 for 2. Two more fell at 88 and another two as they reached 132 for 6. Lurking about all this time was opener Robin Dickinson, who found a partner in Jacob Bannister and they took the score to 217 for 7 where the latter went for a crucial 33. This left the door slightly jar for an unlikely victory. Another wicket fell at 221 before Dickinson slammed the door shut to finish on 91 not out and see them home by two wickets with six balls to spare. Paul Wormald finished with 3 for 33, Josh Baines 2 for 23 and Caspar 2 for 34. We took nine bonus points from the game but dropped to fifth in the table, two points behind……Knaresborough Forest.
A lot to mull over in the close season but have tasted life in the second division of the league and put in some good performances. We know want is needed to push on from here next year. Similarly the 2nd XI have performed well in new surroundings and again we know what is needed next season.
Roll on season 2025!!!!
Trevor Coe – ECC Chairman
