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The 1st XI entertained Burnt Yates at the Billy Bob’s Ice Cream Parlour field. We asked the opposition to bat first after we won the toss. The bowlers made steady progress and reduced them to 129 for 8. Then some stubbornness saw them grind to 157 where their last two wickets fell. Sam Arkwright was the pick of the bowlers with 4-29. Hammaad Hussain and Haroon Ali claimed two wickets apiece and Struan Mackenzie & Mo Saghir 1 each.
We started brightly and had reached 56 when the first fell – Mo for 35 – which included three sixes and three fours. I understand the sixes had the allotment holders diving for cover!! The score had progressed to 72 where Nathan Barrett, 28, became our second victim. From this point it was sadly all downhill as we lost our last eight wickets for just 40 runs, to finish 112 all out in the 23rd over.
We thank our ball sponsors for their continued support, Ross & Chris Fawcett and John Mason Printers.
The 2nd XI made the short journey to Bolton Abbey to take on their 2nd XI. We lost the toss and were asked to go first. They had early success which reduced to 33 for 2. From there it was carnage as we ran riot. Caspar Bean and Rory Dollard put on 141 for the third wicket, where the latter went a 45 ball 78 which included 2 sixes and 10 fours. Caspar was joined by Danny Horne and they took the score to 189 where the former went for 56. Mark Walters went for 7 with the score on 204. Danny welcomed new recruit Matt Buckmaster to the crease and the pair put on an undefeated 51. The innings closed on a formidable 255 for 5 with Danny 60 not out and Matt 13 not out.
Their reply was always positive, however the lost wickets at crucial times. M Samie 32 and Zac Wilson 21 got the score to 86 for 3. We claimed another three wickets as the scored crept to 108-6. The last four wickets managed to get the score up to a very creditable 183 all out in the 39th over. Caspar and skipper Wormald both took 3 for 30 off the respective 10 overs. Thomas Mountain – who unusually failed with the bat – claimed 2 for 10. We get 20 points that sees us sitting fifth place in the table.
Their total included 46 extras of which 37 were wides!!!! One bowler, who shall remain nameless – Henry Ellison – contributed 22 of those in just three long overs.
Next week the 1st XI hope to bounce back as they visit Masham, whilst the 2nd XI entertain Knaresborough Forest at the Robinson Memorial Ground. Match Ball sponsors are The Cavendish Arms and Sue & Gordon Kelly
Trevor Coe – ECC Chairman


