8th September
FIRST TEAM
The 1st XI entertained Newton-le-Willows at the Billy Bob’s Ice Cream Parlour sponsored ground.
They won the toss and asked us to bat first. At 90 for 6 it looked to be a good decision. However, our tail did a superb job in getting us to 197 all out in the 41st over. Tom Robinson 34, Haroon Ali 32, Nathan Barrett 29 and Morgan Davies 23 were the main contributors to our total. So, we had a decent score to defend.
Sadly, that was something we could not do as they smashed for 198 for 2 in 32 overs! Will Fudali scored 90 not out (64balls, 15 fours and 3 sixes) and David Kettle 71 (88 balls, 13 fours and 1 six). Mo Saghir claimed 1 for 36 and Haroon Ali 1 for 31.
That defeat sees us drop to tenth place in the League, sixteen points clear of No 11 side, Hampsthwaite. Next Saturday we are at Sicklinghall who are already relegated. The last week of the season sees us at home to Hampsthwaite in what could be the decider as to who goes down to Division Three.
SECOND TEAM
The 2nd XI travelled to Crakehall, near Bedale, to tackle the League leaders. The ground is very quirky in that it is narrow side to side and very long end to end. Ground rules are NO sixes, and they have seven trees in the field of play, which count as four if it touches them be it a leaf or trunk.
We won the toss and chose to field. They were 119 for 6 with their skipper being dismissed for 51. The seventh wicket pair pushed the score to 156. This rose to 167 for 8 with Mark Percival hitting nine fours in his knock of forty which was ended with him being brilliantly run out by a direct throw from David Hird. The innings closed on 178 for 9. Mention must be made about Josh Baines. He dropped a sitter then took two superb catches! Caspar Bean took 3 for 28, Paul Wormald 2 for 46, Matt Buckmaster 1 for 9, Ben Jolly 1 for 40 and Gareth Sharpe 1 for 43.
We made a steady start, losing Matt for four with the score on thirteen and Gareth Wooler for 30 with the score on 53. Casper and Sam Keane added102 for the third wicket, where the former went for 42. That was their last success as we strolled home by seven wickets in the 34th over. Sam finished on 75 not out (16 fours) and Gareth S. 4 not out which was his part in the winning partnership of 27 for the fourth wicket.
The win sees us jump over Crakehall to lead the Division by eight points. Unfortunately, we don’t have a game this week after Pateley Bridge 2nds pull out just before the start of the season. Crakehall should beat Ripley 2nds which would see them go back to the top. The last week of the season sees Crakehall entertain Middleham whilst we travel to Ben Rhydding 2nds. Let us hope the weather keeps out of the way and the title can be won the field of play.
14th September
FIRST TEAM
The penultimate Saturday of the season saw us away to bottom side Sicklinghall, who batted first after we won the toss and put them in. Their opening pair put on 81 for the first wicket. Their next three wickets only added 7 runs. They then reached 168 for 6 before losing another three wickets for the addition of one run. The last pair defied the bowlers, and they closed on 177 for 9. Andrew Foulds was the best bowler with3 for 38. Struan Mackenzie 2 for 33, Sam Arkwright 2 for 37 and Haroon Ali 2 for 37 were the other successful bowlers.
Our reply was a bit of a struggled, however we reached 161 for 7. With plenty of overs left we needed 17 runs to win. Sadly, the last three wickets fell without adding a run. Josh Robinson top scored with 40, Haroon made 37 and Andrew 22.
We remain in 10th place; 17 points clear of Hampsthwaite whom we play next Saturday at the Billy Bob’s Ice Cream Parlour sponsored field. A victory would be great. However, to be absolutely sure of staying in Division Two, we must not lose – SIMPLES!
SECOND TEAM
The 2nd XI travel to Ben Rhydding II where again we mustn’t lose to be sure of finishing second. Leaders Crakehall took advantage of our free Saturday and in beating Ripley by 8 wickets they now have a 12 point lead over us who have 300 points with Ben Rhydding 2nds a further 12 points back.
Match sponsors this week are Bullough Cleaning Services and Ian Cranston Auto Technicians.
Trevor Coe – ECC Chairman
This article is available in audio format, please click on the play icon below to listen.
Categories: All, Clubs & Societies, Sport
