Saturday 14th June

Embsay 1st XI

I suggested last week that the 1^st team had all the encouragement needed to lower Knaresborough Forest’s colours, with them being unbeaten and in a rich vein of form,

The high-flying leaders were put into to bat and the two opening batters who had scored 161 for the first wicket last week, were back in the hut for 22 this time. Our bowlers continued to chip away, and wickets tumbled with the best partnership being 26 for the eighth wicket. Their innings closed on 130 which included 25 extras. Hammaad Hussain claimed 3 for 23, Struan Mackenzie 3 for 29 and Haroon Ali 3 for 34.

We made a poor start, being 16 for 2 with both openers being back in the pavilion. Andrew Foulds was joined by Jack Kitching, and they took the score to 65 where the former was out for 19. One run later another wicket fell – 66 for 4. This was the visitors last success as Kitch, 37no and Sam Arkwright 46no (7×4, 2×6) took us to a fine six wicket victory. We go up one place to 7^th in the table.

Embsay 2nd XI

The 2^nd team had a free week which saw us drop from top spot to fifth!

This week the 1^st team entertain Ouseburn at the Billy Bob Ice Cream Parlour ground, whilst the 2^nd team travel to Ouseburn.

Match ball sponsors are Andrew Bunney and The Embsay & Eastby Post.

Saturday 21st June

Embsay 1st XI

After beating the league leaders last week, we entertained Ouseburn at the Billy Bob’s Ice Cream Parlour ground and sadly put in a lack lustre performance with the bat. Skipper Morgan Davies, who lost the toss, scored 35 as we batted first. He was bowled to leave us 62 for 4. From there the lads struggled against some fine spin bowling and the innings closed on 110 in the 26^th over.

They proceeded to 72 for 4 against some tidy bowling. Now it was our turn to tu8rn to spin. Andrew Foulds took four wickets to leave them teetering on the edge at 99 for 8. We couldn’t make another breakthrough, and they clinched a two-wicket victory in 28.4 overs. Andrew finished with 4 for 25 off eight overs. There were two wickets for Haroon Ali and one apiece for Hammad Hussain and Struan Mackenzie.

As we toppled leaders of the division Knaresborough Forest last week, we need the same composure, and “luck” to see off new leaders, unbeaten Harrogate 3rd

Embsay 2nd XI

The 2^nd team also figured in a tight finishing game, however the outcome for them was positive. Over at Ouseburn we lost the toss and had to field, thankfully the expected hot conditions didn’t materialise.

They progressed to 70 for 4 where their skipper joined one of the openers and they put together a partnership of 169 where the skipper was dismissed for a superb 114. One has to say that some of his shots were fantastic as he smote five sixes and fourteen fours. The opener who got bogged down in the eighties, and with three balls left of the innings, he went for the big hit to take him to his century, only to be caught out. Their innings closed on 246 for 7. Matt Buckmaster was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 33 with Dave Mountain taking two and Scott Robinson and Caspar Bean one apiece.

Matt and Sam Keane opened for us and showed that we weren’t going to sit back, we were going for the win. After ten overs we were 73. With the score on 115 in the 15^th over the latter went for a solid knock of 55. Caspar joined Matt, and they added another twelve runs where the latter was bowled for 63. So, twenty overs gone and we were halfway to our target. Danny Horne joined Caspar, and they put on 106 for the third wicket, to put us in sight of victory. Caspar fell for 54. Danny was joined by Mark Walters and the pair took us to a stunning win by seven wickets with six balls to spare.  We move up to second in the table.

This week the 1^st team are away to Harrogate 3rds whilst the 2^nd team are at home to Middleham 2/Masham 2. The match ball sponsors are John Bowers Consulting, and the late Majorie and Harold Batchelor.

Trevor Coe – ECC Chairman

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