The vagaries of the English weather were on show on Saturday. The 2^nd team’s top of the table clash with Crakehall was called off about 10am after heavy overnight rain. Whilst the covers had done their job of protecting the wicket, the rest of the square and outfield was saturated.

The 1^st team however were taking on Newton-le-Willow, which is between Bedale and Leyburn, where they had had no rain and the wicket and ground were rock hard. We won the toss and elected to field. One wonders how the captain felt at the end of 45 overs with their score 297 for 7. Opener, David Kettle had scored 86 and wicket keeper Pat-jnr Masulon 59 with the other batters chipping in. Some of the bowlers suffered with Jack Kitching taking 0 for 75 off eleven overs and Hammaad Hussain 0 for 24 off three overs. Our sixth bowler, Mo Saghir, took Mr Kettle out along with the next four batters to finish with 5 for 80 off twelve overs.

A tall order to chase that down. 2^nd teamer Thomas Mountain had been drafted into the side to open the batting with Morgan Davies and stay there for as long as possible. Morgan made 39, Nathan Barrett 7 before Thomas was third out with score on 102 for a gritty 19. Tom Stead was joined by Jack Kitching, and they took the score to 149 where the latter was out for 20. Next to go was Tom for a splendid 74 (10×4, 3×6) with the score on 194 for 5. Mo perished for 17 – 194 for 6. Sam Arkwright was joined by Struan Mackenzie, and they endeavoured to carrying on in a positive vein and they clattered the bowlers “about a bit”. Struan went for 37 – 255 for 7.

We couldn’t do it, or could we? Tom Robinson and Sam Arkwright carried us to the winning post by three wickets with16 balls to spare! 301 for 7, yes that’s correct, 301 for 7. It is quite a long time since we scored 300. Our historian, that is me, has been tasked with finding out that information.

Whilst we don’t move up the table, staying eighth, it has opened a gap from Burnt Yates who are seventeen points behind us.

Despite not playing the second team remain in 2^nd place.

This Saturday the 1^st XI entertains Thornton Watlass at the Billy Bob’s ice cream parlour sponsored ground. The 2^nd XI travel to Whixley. The match ball sponsors are Craven Farm Vets and Yorkenthwaite Farms. against a side from the Division above us.

Trevor Coe – ECC Chairman

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