York Cricket Club

The memories of a disappointing performance last Sunday at Malton & Old Malton CC were banished yesterday, with a hugely improved performance and excellent Win against Pocklington CC.

YCC U.13B              :  79-6

M & OM  U.13 A     :  81 -1 

Appreciating the M & OM match was only the B Teams’ second match in 6 weeks there were many good aspects with Bat and Ball however, as we discussed after the match, we effectively ‘ lost ‘ the match due to a poor performance in the field.

Having batted first a ‘ patient ‘ 30 Retired from Rohan and a ‘ Cameo ‘ from Skipper Alfred Massey 11, were the backbone with no other Batsman disappointingly reaching double-figures …. 79 – 6 was defendable but only if we played well in ‘ Second-Half ‘.

Unfortunately, that was not the case … we were very grateful to Rohan for ‘ taking the Gloves ‘ in the absence of a recognised Keeper, we know it would be ‘ tough ‘ and this was compounded by our fielding and positioning… aspects we work hard on and discuss a lot in training, which were disappointing.

It took M & OM 16 overs to score the runs … so 5 an over … another 20 runs would have made it interesting but our shortfall with the Bat and lapses in the Field were the difference.

However … what a difference a Week can make ….

YCC U.13B : 123 – 6 

PCC U.13A. :  81 – 4

‘ Energised ‘ was the word from Skipper Massey, as the Players came off the Pitch with a 42 Run victory and how true !

Batting first we much more positive and focused .. 30* Rtd from George Armitstead, 19 from the Skipper, 17 no from Henry Ellerker and 13 from Batsman/Keeper Toby ‘ The Look ‘ – together with a generous 33 Extras gave us an excellent total.

Our bowling was improved ( still a few too many Extras .. 21 ) but it was in the Field we clearly  ‘ stepped up ‘ .. with excellent contributions from everyone.

Wickets ‘ up front for Chris Green 2 ov 1 for 5, Skipper Massy 2 ov 1 for 6 and late in the Innings for Teerdha Thotli 2 ov 1 for 6, Will Rollo-Gardner 2 ov 1 for 10 and good performances with the ball from the rest.

Congratulations – but now can we please maintain that momentum as we play Yapham CC tomorrow evening .. ?

Well, for those at Abbeydale last night – Players and Supporters .. what can I say ?

An evening I suspect none of those there will forget …

A County Cup Quarter-Final against one of the most respected South Yorkshire, if not also County Clubs – Sheffield Collegiate CC ( SC CC ) … the Home of Root & Vaughan.

Losing the Toss we were invited to Bat but, as we anticipated, tight bowling kept the scoring rate ‘ in check ‘ …. unfortunately, coupled with the early wicket of Opener Alex Strain.

The arrival of Capt. Jack Robinson moved the score along and together with Henry Roberts we moved to 22, before Henry was also Bowled.

Abelard Roberts joined Jack – who proceeded to ‘ move up a Gear ‘ and began to punish the bowling attack. A difficult chance he gave was ‘ put down ‘ …. ah … as I regularly tell them “ Catches Win Matches “…..  Jack then moved quickly to 29 and hit a boundary 4 to retire 33no ( off 30 balls ).

Unfortunately our ‘ Middle Order ‘ struggled to maintain the momentum and we lost Abelard for 4, Suvan for 4, Zac Oxley for 0, relying on Seb Hardy 8, Nicky Yates 10no and Oli Huffer 4 no to “ push us towards “  90… the 16 Extras assisted and we finished on what we agreed was a ‘ below par ‘ 88 – 6.

The mood however was very determined and we agreed if we matched their intensity and application in the field then ‘ it was Defendable ‘ !

Capt. Jack and Oli Phillips opened the bowling and, as ever, kept it very tight. The introduction of Seb Hardy maintained that and with the arrival of Ryan Hodgson the first wicket fell in the 7th ov … 1 for 30.

Wickets then began to fall at regular intervals and the self-belief within the Team visibly grew … Ryan with another in his 2nd ov and Seb with one in his 3rd left SC CC 73-3 in the 15th … with increasing pressure arrived fabulous levels of fielding… the number of runs saved a real tribute to the Team’s commitment.

Jack then changed the momentum with the ‘ inspired ‘ introduction into the attack of Suvan Seluan and within a couple of overs we seemed to have ‘ secured ‘ our grip on the game

A YCC injury … Zac Oxley in making another excellent stop … on goes our 12th Man ..Alfred Massie … who suggested to me a 12th Man was just a ‘ luxury ‘ ?

The home Team now clearly felt the pressure : 76-5, 80-6, ….. a Wicket each for Henry Roberts and Capt. Jack built the intensity…until 4 overthrows seemed that it might have just ‘ cost us ‘ .. ?

2 overs remaining… 9 to Win for Collegiate and return of Ryan Hodgson for an excellent 19th was quite ‘ pivotal ‘…. 2 Wickets for 2 runs …. 83-8 and 7 off 6 for Collegiate to triumph.

Suvan was thrown the Ball and with Vice-Capt Strain ‘ marshalling ‘ the Field placings with precision we awaited the 20th … the final 6 balls ….

A  ‘ dot ‘ then a single … then a dot … 6 from 3 … 2 wickets ‘ in hand ‘ … then … a 4 ball
(despite a valiant attempt on the Boundary by the Capt ) … so now 2 from 2 …. SH CC smelt Victory again ‘ … a good ball and the drop and run ‘ policy implemented by SC CC … …. a RUN OUT… 88-9 .. 2 needed for them from the last …..

Once again a good ball just swinging past the bat and then Off Stump … the Bails were ‘ whipped ‘ of  ‘ like Lighting ‘ by V-C Strain …. UP went the Finger from the Square Leg Umpire. … OUT !

……SC CC All Out for 88 – organised  ‘chaos‘ both in noise and with joy from the YCC Players and quite understandably the opposite …. total dejection of Hosts SC CC…. a York CC Win by 1 Run !

How to snatch Victory from the Jaws of Defeat …

The Match was really won with the Ball and in the Field – well done indeed to all 12 Players a superb effort and a very memorable Win.

Thank you so much to our On Field Umpire Derek Lancaster, Coaching Team Mick Hammerton and Matt Huffer …. as well as all our Travelling ‘ Barmy Army ‘ of Supporting Parents.

An excellent Advert ‘ for the quality of U.13 Club Cricket within the County and real tribute to both Teams for a Fabulous Match … the Semi-Final beckons .. the winners of Olicanians CC .v. Osset CC.

After our ‘ tight ‘ Win last week in the District Cup Preliminary Round we produced a much improved and very ‘ Professional ‘ performance by the A Team yesterday, to secure a place in the 2nd Round of the District Cup.

After losing the Toss and being invited to Bat we began with a solid early Partnership between Henry Roberts and Suvan ( 20-0 after 7ov ) which then accelerated, as they just ‘ dismantled  ‘ the HCC attack for 59 runs in 6 overs ….with some excellent timing and destructive hitting – both reaching 24 no and then each hitting a maximum over the Boundary to Retire on 30 – just fabulous to watch.

Losing such momentum, as effectively we had 2 new Batsmen, is always challenging but Lucas Oxley, Seb Hardy,George Armitstead and Nicky Yates all ‘ worked hard ‘ to keep the Scoreboard ‘ ticking over ‘ to leave us with a  ‘defendable ‘ total of 104 – 4 …. if we bowled and fielded to our potential.

Opening with ‘ Hurricane Oli  ‘ ( 4ov 1mdn 1 for 9 ) and Henry R ( 3ov 0 for 7 ) we kept the early HCC Batsmen in check …  scoring at 3 an over, with the one early Wicket for Oli.

The introduction of our first change Bowlers … Alfred Massie and Oli Huffer ( 3 ov 0-14 ) saw an acceleration from HCC but shortly thereafter the Wickets also began to fall as they tried to ‘ keep up  ‘ with the increasing scoring rate.

Alfred’ s figures especially reflected that fact, as HCC played their shots but also lost Wickets to leave him with respectable figures of 3ov 1mdn 3 for 20.

The introduction of Seb Hardy created more challenges for HCC with excellent ‘ line and length ‘ ( 3ov 0 for 6 ) together with a Run Out after some excellent keeping and glove work from Toby ‘ the Look ‘.

HCC were by the end of the 15th at 64-4 requiring another 10 runs an over and we were  ‘into ‘ their lower middle order who, with respect, were not capable of managing that especially with Seb ‘s form and the introduction of spin through Ryan Hodgson ( 3ov 0-20) and George A.

George ( 1ov 1 for 9 ) just had time to ‘ grab ‘ a Wicket in the 20th with HCC closing on 88-6 and a YCC win by 16 runs with the District Cup Qtr Final draw taking us Away to the Winners yesterday of Bolton Percy CC or Malton & Old Malton CC on the 27th June.

An outstanding period of Bowling last night from “ Hurricane Phillips “ launched the Team towards Victory against a very strong Clifton Alliance – who clearly believed  ‘ on Paper ‘ they were the stronger Team and secured a place for YCC in the U.13 County Cup Knockout Quarter-Fimnal, Away at Sheffield Collegiate CC- the Home of Root and Vaughan !

Battling first, the side made a steady start, only to be ‘rocked ‘ by two outstanding pieces of Fielding – the first …. a direct hit from 30yds to ‘ Run-Out ‘ Alex Strain for 2 and the second an excellent catch to dismiss Skipper Jack Robinson for 18.

Re-building, Henry and Abelard Roberts created a platform for a good score, Henry 30 rtd and Abelard 18 – but with further accurate, tight Bowling from Alliance there was no late acceleration and a total of 92, whilst ‘ solid ‘ would take some defending….little did we know that “ Hurricane Phillips “ was coming over the Horizon !

Opening the Bowling Oli Phillips ‘ ripped ‘ through the Alliance Top-Order with a scintillating spell .. 4 overs 2 maidens, 4 wickets for 3 to leave them on 8 from 4 after the first 7 overs. Well supported by the Skipper 3ov 0 for 4, our Opposition reached their half-way point on 15 for 5 .. the introduction of Seb Hardy maintained the pressure, coinciding with another superb Run-Out, 30yd direct hit from the boundary, this time from our very own Henry Roberts.

An excellent catch ‘behind ‘ the following Over from Keeper Strain, standing up to the Bowling of Henry Roberts, effectively ‘ killed ‘ our Opponents at 22 for 6.

Skipper Robinson then switched his Bowling to include Ryan Hodgson 3ov 1 for 5, Alfred Massey 1ov 1-1, Nicky Yates 1ov 0-4,George Armitstead 2ov 0-12, Oli Huffer 1ov 0-5, and the last 2 wickets came in the 20th as Abelard Roberts ‘ cleaned up ‘ 0.5ov 2 for 0…Alliance All Out for 51 and a Win by 41 Runs.

An outstanding performance and Victory – the Team were focused, committed in the Field, defending a good but ‘ getable ‘ total – launched by “ Hurricane Phillips “ !

A ‘ hard earned ‘ A Team victory yesterday against a much improved Dunnington CC Team enables us to progress to the 1st Rnd proper.

A Team showing 4 changes from Friday’s exciting County Cup win Bowled first and Oli Philips – fresh from his success on Friday, opening with Alfred Massey kept the early pressure on the Visitors – but without any success leaving D CC 25-0 after 10ov.

D CC were ‘ held together ‘ by Britain 30 rtd and Bodil 14 whilst Wickets tumbled around them – with the outstanding YCC performance coming from Ryan Hodgson .. who after a challenging first over (conceding 12 runs) proceeded to bowl his remaining 3 overs with
4 wickets for 1 run ( 4 : 2 M 4 for 13 ) to ‘ rip out ‘ the middle order leaving D CC to finish on 56 – 7, with a wicket each for Henry and Abelard Roberts and very tidy ‘ returns ‘ for Phillips 4ov 0 – 5, Massey 3ov 0 – 6, Henry Ellerker one Maiden, Will Rollo-Gardner 1ov 0 – 2 and Rohan K 2ov 0 -11.

Chasing 57 – seemingly very” getable “ .. the Team made an extremely  ‘ challenging ‘ start with both Openers – Henry and Abelard R dismissed for Ducks 🦆….Yates and Phillips 1 each … Ellerker 5 and Rohan K 4 ….. very fortunately indeed the side were extremely indebted … firstly with 21 from “ Extras ‘ who  ‘ slotted ‘ very well into our Side … together with a very timely 16 from George Armitstead  – which put us within ‘ striking distance ‘, followed by an excellent little ‘’ Cameo “ from Toby ‘ The Look ‘ with 10 no. …. thankfully ‘ dragging ‘ the Team “Over the Line” for a 3 Wicket Win.

Heart murmurs for the Management Team pending …. the Team battled hard and now face Heworth CC, Away next Sunday in the First Round ..

York suffered an opening day Premier League defeat for the first time since 2015 losing to Woodhouse Grange by five wickets at a bright but bracing Clifton Park. The home side were without their new captain Ryan McKendry, side-lined through injury, and Simon Lambert (precautionary covid self-isolation) as they began the season against one of their closest rivals in recent years.

Duncan Snell and Guy Darwin shared a second wicket partnership of 121 following the early loss of Finlay Bean, who returns to the club after spending the previous YPLN season (2019) with Yorkshire Academy. There was perhaps an air of expectation that Snell would become the first York batsman to reach a half-century, and the prolific left-hander did not disappoint, passing the ‘mark for the 42nd time in his 84th innings in the competition. Off-spinner Chris Suddaby captured the prized wicket in the 32nd over with the total on 148, but the stand-in captain left the crease for 76 off 99 balls with his side in a commanding position.

Wickets in consecutive overs from Tom Neal brought the visitors back in to the game and in truth the home side squandered what had been a strong position reaching 245-9 from their 50 overs when a total nearer 300 had looked within reach. Darwin had looked to be heading for a century but had to settle instead for a Premier League best 85, his innings ending in disappointment when a mix up in calling with the newly arrived Tom Brooks left both batsmen at the same end the score at that stage had been 218-6 with five overs remaining. Apart from Snell and Darwin no York batsman scored more than Charlie Elliot’s 13, the off-spin of James Finch’s off-spin accounting for four late order wickets in the closing overs, the visiting captain finishing with 4-66 from 13 overs.

Jack Charters struck an early blow trapping Oscar Sugden lbw but by the time fellow opener Harry Gamble, a recent recruit from Beverley Town, was bowled by Tom Forsdike for 50 the score had reached 100-2. Chris Bilton (64) became the second ‘Grange batsman to pass 50, ‘keeper Brooks’ low catch giving Charters a second wicket, that after Clark Doughney had bowled Zimbabwean Jarryd Basson for 29. Forsdike’s second wicket brought together the sixth wicket pair of Tom Young and James Finch with 60 runs needed off the final 10 overs, a target achieved in some comfort with two overs to spare.

For those York supporters seeking solace following the performance the 2015 sides opening defeat culminated in a league title success in which Simon Lambert finished as the leading run scorer and Ryan McKendry their leading wicket-taker.

York took the first step towards semi-final qualification in the Yorkshire League North T20 a controlled innings from Duncan Snell who made 45 form 43 balls guiding them to a four wicket Group B win over Sheriff Hutton Bridge at Clifton Park. Three wickets each from Clark Doughney and Guy Darwin were also key factors in restricting the visitors to a total of 145 after they had made a strong start.

The visitors opening pair of Arthur Campion and Freddie Collins got the innings off to a brisk start, despite a quarter of an hour interruption for rain, sharing ten fours in the opening five overs and it was right at the end of that period that Doughney took the first of his wickets. Collins had dispatched three of the spinners first five deliveries to the boundary but over-balanced attempting a repeat and was stumped by Alex Liley. Tommy Hudson continued the good work Collins had begun and the scoring rate and the total passed 100 at the start of the thirteenth over. A second wicket partnership worth 55 from 48 balls was ended when Campion, who had scored 42, miscued a ball from Guy Darwin high off the leading edge and the bowler took a comfortable catch. Hudson fell in similar fashion this time Liley pouching the catch the batsman having scored 38 from only 30 balls. Matthew Roberts, making his premier league t20 debut, bowled with great control the spinner sending down 3.5 overs of spin at a cost of just 16 runs through to the close of the innings, conceding just one boundary. Visiting captain Mark Fisher was fourth out for just three Harry Adair taking a well-judged catch at long-on to give Darwin his third wicket with the score on 115, but it was the loss of three quick wickets that really put the brake on the scoring just as ‘Bridge should have been looking to accelerate through the closing overs. Roberts fellow spinner Doughney operating from the Shipton Road end picked up two wickets in the space of three balls including Tatenda Shuttleworth-Richardson for 13. Dave Henstock provided some late fireworks striking Doughney for the consecutive boundaries one of which was a maximum but he was then stumped off Roberts at the start of a final over which included two run out and saw the visitors bowled out for 145 with a ball to spare.

Freddie Collins should have had a wicket in the opening over of the hosts’ reply but the straight-forward catching chance offered by Harry Adair was put down, and although it would prove ultimately to be too costly it allowed York to get off to a flying start with 36 on the board before the third over had been completed. Charlie Elliot’s was the first wicket to fall, having taken two boundaries off the luckless Collins but an attempted third saw a leading-edge carry to Mark Fisher at mid-wicket. That was the first of three wickets to fall in as many overs Adair failed to control a cut stroke that climbed on him and Finlay Bean went after a wide ball, both shots resulting in catches for ‘keeper Nicholas Gill and after a bright start the home side found themselves 39 for three an needing to consolidate. Guy Darwin has discovered some good early season form with the bat and joined skipper Duncan Snell at the crease, their partnership of 39 from 28 balls bring the required rate down below a run-a-ball for the first time, the inclusion of eight wides in the opening ten overs also assisting the hosts cause. Darwin contributed 12 to the partnership before being caught at mid-off and when Matthew Roberts was caught by a diving Andy Frank at extra cover York had once again slipped behind the rate with 54 more required off 44 balls. What should have been the bonus of a free hit from a David Henstock no-ball back-fired when Alex Liley having failed to beat Mark Fisher with a drive was unable to re-make his ground and was run out. With the total on 116 for six and more than six an over required the home sides chances looked dependant on their captain remaining at the crease although in the closing stages he was outscored by Oliver Leedham. The critical over turned out to be the penultimate one off the innings bowled by Mark Fisher it began with 14 runs still required for victory but a lofted blow into the legside and an outside edge which ran away for four both from the bat of Leedham combined with some quick running reduced the target to two off the final six balls. The match concluded in somewhat bland circumstances, given it had been for the most part an absorbing contest, Matthew Bird sent down the sides fifteenth wide to bring the scores level and an eleventh leg-bye signalled an end to proceedings, a total of 28 extras the third highest contribution to the total.

Tom Forsdike was the hero of York’s latest nerve-shredding victory, the spinner picking up three wickets in the final over including two in two balls to close out the match and secure a five-run win against Woodhouse Grange.

 The task for the fielding side was hampered when Jonathan Moxon had to withdraw from the attack having bowled four overs for just ten runs, and the move almost certainly took some of the early pressure off the Woodhouse’ openers. The departure of Andrew Bilton to neighbours Dunnington has been offset somewhat by the recruitment of Harry Gamble, Beverley Town’s leading premier league run scorer in 2019, and the new arrival made 25 before sending a catch to Duncan Snell at mid-off with the total on 72 at the start of the 14^th over, fellow opener Tom Young having earlier departed caught at point by Harry Adair off Guy Darwin. Christopher Bilton is among the all-time leading run scorers in Yorkshire League North and was able to take advantage of a wicket pitched off centre demonstrating the full array of stroke play that has brought him nearly 3000 runs at this level. He brought up his fifty off 44 balls and when Henry Wilson matched the efforts of his captain albeit at a slightly slower rate of scoring the pair were in the mist of a partnership which looked to be taking control of the game. It needed a good ball from Clarke Doughney to alter the course of proceedings and he found it to bowl Wilson, and four overs later the youngster picked up the crucial wicket of Bilton, this time courtesy of an excellent catch to a diving Nick James at extra cover.  That wicket came in the final over of the spinners spell and at a critical point in proceedings with a further 44 runs required from 36 balls. In the very next over Guy Darwin had Christopher Suddaby caught at wide mid-off by Alex Liley and in the space of a dozen balls ‘Grange lost three wickets when Stephen Burdett picked out Darwin fielding at long on to give Tom Forsdike his first wicket of the afternoon. Tight overs from Forsdike and Darwin increased the pressure on the batting side and tilted the equation in the visitors’ favour leaving 23 required from the final two overs. A six from Declan Eastwood off Snell in the penultimate over breathed new life into the contest and gave the home side renewed hope only for it to be tempered when Tom Neal was caught by Adair with five balls of the match remaining. A slip in the field gave Eastwood a much-needed boundary but then attempting to find what would have been a match winning maximum he was caught by Guy Darwin at long-on. It brought an end to an enterprising innings of 26 off just 17 balls but left Alfie Oliver to face the last ball knowing only a six would do. Thankfully for York his swing failed to connect and having strayed from his crease presented Tom Brooks with a stumping opportunity which the ‘keeper gleefully accepted. The chaos of the final over left Forsdike with back-to- back four wicket hauls, the fourth spinner to do so for the club in the Premier League North era.

The new season dawned belatedly under leaden skies and despite an assured half-century from first team debutant Alex Liley reigning Yorkshire League Champions Sheriff Hutton Bridge recorded their third consecutive victory in the league at Clifton Park, but this was the closest of them with a three wicket win coming with just three balls to spare.

Before play got underway players and officials from both sides gathered on the square to honour the memory of York cricket club captain Daniel Woods with a minutes silence, notable absentees from the scene were the trio of Simon Lambert, Ben Robinson and James Billington who all failed to return from a winter in Australia before travel sanctions were imposed. That led to the decision to move Guy Darwin up to open alongside skipper Duncan Snell and meant Alex Liley, who has progressed through the junior ranks at Clifton Park, joined new signing Harry Adair in making their debuts. Snell’s decision to bat first meant the visitors, who suffered several high-profile departures over the winter, had to contend with a wet ball throughout the innings as light showers became a feature of the early afternoon. Darwin lost both opening partner Snell and newcomer Adair inside the first 14 overs but a solid defence and a degree of patience was rewarded with a half-century off 74 balls including seven fours which was arrived at  just after the mid-point of the home sides 40 over innings. A third wicket partnership of 46 alongside Nick James was the most productive of the innings, and it was the departure of James for 24 that brought Liley to the crease. The debutant had scored 16 and the total had reached 127 when Tommy Hudson took a fine over the shoulder running catch at backward point to dismiss Darwin (59) and give ‘Bridge’s new signing Matthew Bird the second of what would quickly become three wickets as the hosts lost three wickets in the space of four overs just as they should have been looking to accelerate. Jonathan Moxon struck some much needed boundaries either side of a rain break which saw tea taken and coupled with the intent from Liley, whose game looked well suited to the demands of the situation, 38 were added to the total in the space of four overs. Liley was dismissed for 52 off the first ball of the final over, an innings of 48 balls including four fours ended by a full delivery from Freddie Collins who struck again with the final ball of the innings to claim figures of 4-34 as the home side closed on 195-9.

York began well in the field Oliver Leedham rewarded for a tight new ball spell with the early wicket of Louis Foxton and when a slip from Adam Fisher left Arthur Campion stranded mid-pitch resulting in a run out the visitors found themselves 26-2 after 10 overs. The next 18 overs however belonged to the batting visiting skipper Fisher and Tommy Hudson taking full advantage as the change bowlers offered scoring opportunities on both sides of the wicket. The total moved on to 113 from 25 overs, with Hudson having passed 50 (off 52 balls) and his partner seemingly destined to do likewise, before Tom Forsdike was introduced to the attack. Holder of the club competition best 7-28, the spinners impact was almost immediate. Two wickets in his second overs removed the dual threat of both Fisher brothers, Adam miscued a sweep to short square leg four runs short of a half-century and younger brother Mark was caught and bowled without scoring. Fellow spinner Clarke Doughney had Freddie Collins caught in the deep and with six wickets down and a required rate exceeding a run a ball the hosts looked to be in the ascendency. Hudson continued to take the attack to the bowlers and in Toby Latham found a willing ally, the seventh wicket pair added 46 in only 36 balls but with victory in sight there was late drama when Leedham trapped Hudson lbw for 90 with seven still needed from nine balls, but Latham with just two previous 1st team appearances back in 2017 held his nerve to pick off the winning runs.

At Low Catton Road, 10 August. York won by 28 runs (DLS method).

Stamford Bridge 0pts, York 10pts. Toss: York.

York battled both their hosts and the elements to emerge with a victory which keeps alive the possibility of retaining the league title going into the closing few weeks of the season. Ben Robinson became an unlikely hero with the ball, his off-spin on show for the first time in the competition securing key wickets as the match ebbed and flowed amidst strong winds and ever darkening skies. The youngster has been quick to establish a place in the side with his batting since moving up from the second team at the end of June, and a growth in confidence was evidenced in an opening partnership with Duncan Snell worth 49. Dominic Rhodes, one of the League’s all-time leading seam bowlers, with a strong wind at his back from the football ground end, made the breakthrough for the hosts when Snell, on 24, was well caught by ‘keeper Kyle Waite diving at shoulder height  in front of first slip in the twelfth over. The in-form James Billington joined Robinson at the crease and the pair had almost doubled the total by the drinks break. Perhaps that short stoppage broke Robinson’s concentration because two balls into the resumption an uncharacteristic slog against spinner James Keast resulted in a simple catch to mid-on, departing for 40 the opener had plenty of time to reflect on the shot as heavy rain descended on the ground causing an hour and a half delay. Play got back under way with the match reduced to 46 over a side and the hosts’ decision to employ an all spin attack proved successful. After a couple of wayward overs at the start former York favourite Ryan McKendry had Chris Booth caught at slip for 10 and followed that up in his next over with a double strike removing Billington lbw one short of a half-century and Charlie Elliot two balls later without scoring. That left the visitors on 139-5 with 11 overs remaining but brought together Nick James and Tom Brooks, after a cautious start which resulted in just five runs from their first three overs the pair accelerated making good use of both the short boundary on the pavilion side and the wide expanses stretching away towards the tennis courts and road on the other. Two sixes from James were amongst the highlights in the closing overs as the pair added 80 to the total before he was run out off the final ball having just posted the second half-century of his Yorkshire League North career, the previous one coming in the corresponding fixture last year. Brooks finished unbeaten on 31 as the visitors closed on 219-6 which was increased to a victory target of 227 by the DLS calculations. The first half of the hosts’ innings followed an almost identical pattern to that of the visitors’ opener Ben Pearson was trapped lbw by Guy Darwin with the score on 46 and the second wicket fell around the half way point with the total at 98. The key for the fielding side was what happened in the immediate aftermath of Zac Kuene’s departure, caught by Billington at point off Nick Kay for 39. Kyle Waite (33) was bowled by a full delivery from Jack Charters before Kay, whose last game at this level was more than two years ago, trapped James Keast lbw, as three wickets in the space of 15 balls reduced the home side from 98-1 to 108-4. Dominic Rhodes and Ryan McKendry got the chase back on track and some powerful blows especially from the former threatened to take the game away with the score ahead of the required rate and the ever present darkening skies threatening further rain. Skipper Snell’s decision to throw the ball to Robinson for the first time proved inspired and the results dramatic. Five balls into his spell Rhodes, having already struck the spinner twice through the same area, picked out Guy Darwin at extra cover. A couple of overs later it looked as though McKendry would clear the boundary for the third time in his innings but Kay had time to settle himself just inside the rope at deep square leg taking the catch above his head to secure the vital wicket. Jonny Rawsthorne served up a few lusty blows, 20 of his 23 runs coming from boundaries, but lacked support from the lower order the visitors able to control the closing stages with Robinson picking up a third wicket and Clarke Doughney a couple including that of Rawsthorne who was last out with the score on 198, York collecting maximum points from their fifth away win of 2019.

At Clifton Park, July 20. York won by 131 runs.

York 10pts, Sessay 0pts. Toss: York.

Tom Forsdike will have more reasons than most to remember his league debut, seven to be exact, marking his first appearance in the top flight with the competition’s season best figures of 7-28 as York put the disappointment of the previous weeks defeat firmly behind them with an emphatic victory over relegation threatened Sessay.  The off spinners previous first team experienced had been limited to a couple of cup games back in 2014, since then he plied his trade in the second XI but 15 wickets in the last three weeks was enough to earn a place in the line-up and to devastating effect, four of his victims were bowled and twice he picked up wickets with consecutive deliveries the beleaguered batsmen simply unable to cope with the turn and bounce he was able to generate, the visitors who have struggled for runs throughout the season failed again to reach 150 for the fourth time in their last six matches. After choosing to bat first skipper Duncan Snell and opening partner Jack Leaning were both back in the pavilion inside the first seven overs, the captain run out for the second innings in a row and last week’s centurion Leaning caught at the wicket chasing a wide ball from Liam Carver. After the first of two brief delays for rain James Billington and Chris Booth resumed the innings, the latter was dropped at slip on 8 with the score at 57 and it proved a costly mistake. Billington had shown signs of an upturn in form with 46 in two of his last three innings and shortly after the second weather interruption completed a half-century off 58 balls, Booth did likewise and together the pair added 160 for the third wicket, a club record in this league and third on the competitions all-time list. The score had moved on to 181 by the time Booth missed with an attempted reverse sweep, a shot which had proved profitable up until that point, and was given out lbw. York’s overseas signing surpassed his previous best of 88 at the start of a run of 14 consecutive singles which would eventually lead to his first century for the club, an innings of 108 balls containing eight fours and a six. An enterprising run a ball partnership of 40 with Ben Robinson came to an end when the Australian, on 112, played across the line and was bowled by Matthew Till the first of three wickets for the spinner in the closing six overs. Robinson backed up last week’s 41 with his maiden half-century at this level and remained unbeaten on 56 from only 44 balls when the innings closed with the total on 280-6. Openers Mark Wilkie and Matthew Till began the response in positive fashion 48 runs coming from the first 10 overs. Visiting skipper Wilkie under-edged Guy Darwin onto his stumps but at 73-1 and leading run scorer Mark Jackson just getting going the reply looked to be in decent shape, then just five balls into his opening over Forsdike had two wickets and the picture looked very different, a further three quickly followed and at one stage he had figures of five for nine, still with three overs in hand when picking up his seventh wicket, Jackson bowled aiming an expansive drive down the ground having reached 41, the prospect of taking nine did not seem too farfetched but then Leaning had Stuart Peirse caught at slip and doubled his tally when Liam Carver’s full blooded struck cannoned of Billington’s helmet fielding close in then lobbed into the bowler’s hands. Victory by 131 runs moves York above Dunnington into fourth place in the table but still 21 points adrift of the leaders.

At Clifton Park, July 13. Castleford won by 17 runs.

York 4pts, Castleford 8pts. Toss: Castleford.

Jack Leaning produced one of the best all-round performances the competition has seen but despite a century following an earlier four wicket haul he could not prevent Castleford winning a league game at Clifton Park for the first time since 2011. On that occasion David Wainwright weighed in with a century, this time his contribution was less significant but nevertheless crucial in a closely fought contest. The Castleford skipper was forced to sit out much of the first part of his side innings having been struck by a ball from Jack Charters whilst opening, his departure albeit temporary was seized upon by the hosts, Charters and Guy Darwin with a wicket a piece inside the first eight overs. A partnership between overseas signing Umair Khan and Eitan Litvin took the total beyond three figures before the former drove at Leaning in the spinners second over and was caught as slip for 26.  With the score on 106-3 Wainwright resumed his innings and both he and Litvin completed half-centuries prior to the fall of the next wicket. Litvin’s departure stumped of the bowling of Clarke Doughney for 61 with the score on 177 was followed immediately by the young spinners second wicket, and when ‘keeper Tom Brooks held an attempted sweep down the leg side by the Castleford skipper the home side looked to have a measure of control in the game with less than ten overs remaining and the score still below 200. Wickets with consecutive deliveries from Daniel Woods came in the midst of an inspired spell of striking from Eddie Morrison who cleared the ropes six times on the way to a score of 46 from just 24 balls, his fun only ended in the final over Charters taking two catches both of Leaning to close out the innings with the total on 254. The hosts pursuit of what would have to be their highest successful run chase in the competition began badly when Duncan Snell was run out in the fourth over, the opener unable to re-make his ground after been sent back, and the situation worsened when they lost two more wickets inside the first 12 overs. That brought together Leaning and Ben Robinson, the youngster in only his second start at this level took time to settle and had scored four from 25 balls when he was dropped at backward point, undeterred he gradually gained in confidence and contributed 41 to a stand of 122 for the fourth wicket. After being dropped twice more his luck finally ran out when adjudged lbw attempting to sweep Jack Young. It was during a partnership of 43 from 50 balls that Leaning went to his century, a second of the season and his sixth since the start of the new league, coming off 121 balls including a dozen fours. His eventual departure stumped off Young for 120 left the home side needing 32 off 29 balls but with victory seemingly in the hosts grasp Wainwright and Young snatched it away, three wickets in the space of 12 balls leaving Guy Darwin to see out the closing over to ensure York picked up four points from the match when they had looked to be in a position to collect all ten.

At Sandhill Lane, July 6.

York won by 71 runs. Woodhouse Grange 0pts, York 10pts.

Toss: York.

This clash between the championship holders and the pretenders to their crown, had it gone to form, would have seen Woodhouse Grange open up a seemingly unassailable 35 point advantage and all but ended York’s hopes of retaining their title, but an extraordinary contest has opened up the race not only to these two but the three sides separating them all five now covered by just 15 points. There was little evidence of what was to come as James Billington struck three fours and a six off James Finch to advance the score on to 91-1 in the 15th over. The only wicket to fall that of Jack Leaning, one of six changes to the side which suffered a heavy defeat in the reverse fixture back in early May, he somewhat fortuitously for the hosts hit a full toss from Josh Jackson straight into the hands of Chris Wood at deep square leg.  The visitors appeared to be on top of the bowling both Billington and Duncan Snell finding the boundary on a regular basis but everything changed when the York captain having reached 43 failed to clear Steve Burdett at long-on off his opposite number Finch. That dismissal set in motion a collapse which would see six wickets fall for 42 runs in just over an hour. Billington was next to depart the Australian, having come within four runs of a half-century for the second Saturday in a row, top edged a sweep on to his pads, a simple catch ballooning up to the wicket-keeper. Of the next six batsmen only Oliver Batchelor reached double figures before falling to an excellent diving catch by Chirs Suddaby at mid-on, his dismissal came as part of a devastating spell from Chris Wood, the spinner picking up wickets in four of his first five overs at a cost of just eight runs. Daniel Woods and Guy Darwin managed to stem the tide, and put in the context of what was to come, certainly broke the momentum of the match that was all going the way of the home side. The pair saw out 11 overs adding 13 more to the score, and a further 18 came from a last wicket partnership between Clarke Doughney and Darwin, the latter last out for 20 in the final over with the total on 167. Just as the visitors had the hosts began well against the new ball losing only the one wicket in the opening dozen overs, but perhaps crucially it was that of their leading run scorer Andrew Bilton caught low down at point in Jack Leaning’s first over. On an afternoon that will most likely be remembered for the exploits of the spinners Charlie Elliot’s seven over spell of seam played a crucial role as events unfolded before a disbelieving crowd following both sides. Leaning, having picked up the first had a hand in the next three wickets too, twice taking catches at slip off Elliot in between which picking up the valuable wicket of Simon Tennant. The opener had got to 18 before clipping a ball off his pads at pace straight into the hands of Billington at short leg.  By the 20th over the fielding side were firmly in charge and clearly relishing their work the scoreboard read 76 for 6 and both Leaning and Elliot had three wickets. The latter gave way to Daniel Woods and the talismanic spinner, still undergoing his cancer treatment, was soon in on the action picking up the wicket of Tom Neal, the former Acomb player one of only three ‘Grange batsmen to reach double figures.  Leaning picked up his fourth wicket and Woods the final two as the home side narrowly avoided their lowest ever total in the competition that was 92 against Harrogate in 2016, this time they reached 96.

At Leeds University, Weetwood, 29 June. York won by seven wickets. Yorkshire Academy 0pts, York 10 pts. Toss: Yorkshire Academy. York ended the first half of what has been a testing league season with a morale boosting victory against Yorkshire Academy thanks largely to an inspirational performance from skipper Duncan Spell who picked up three wickets before securing maximum points for only the second time in 2019 with an unbeaten 87.  Whilst clear blue skies were a welcome sight above the university playing fields it meant the visitors  having to contend with soaring temperatures as they took to the field. Finlay Bean, playing against his parent club for the first time, opened the innings with captain and leading run scorer James Wharton and together they made a positive start scoring 49 from the first 11 overs. Bean had made 16 when he was caught by a diving Oliver Batchelor at gully, having chased a wide delivery from Snell, and his opening partner should have followed soon after but the chance was spilled by the keeper. Charlie Elliot’s first league wicket for over a month ended Harry Duke’s short stay at the crease, Chris Booth taking a regulation catch at slip leaving the match evenly poised after 16 overs. The fielding side were left to rue the earlier missed opportunity as Wharton completed his third half-century of the campaign, it came up during a partnership of 65 for the third wicket with Arjun Ramkumar and it was his dismissal, bowled by Clarke Doughney for 30, with the score on 122 that sparked a collapse which would see five wickets fall in the space of nine overs for just 18 runs. Among them was the key wicket of Wharton who, with the vast open spaces on the leg side available picked out Charlie Elliot at deep square leg off Jack Charters, his innings of 71 from 107 balls including eight fours the highest for the hosts in matches between these sides in Yorkshire League North. The dramatic passage of play left both Charters and Doughney each with two wickets and the spinner increased his haul to three when Harry Harding failed to clear Snell on the edge of the circle at mid-off, it came in the penultimate over of the teenagers 13 over unbroken spell from the pavilion end and final figures of 3-46 represented his best performance since joining the Clifton Park side. Snell returned for a second spell late on and it was his brace which closed out the innings on 183, the visiting skipper returning season best figures of 3-35. Oliver Batchelor, playing in familiar surroundings having spent time playing for Leeds/Bradford MCCU at their Weetwood home, was the only casualty in the first half of the visitors reply and could count himself a touch unlucky to be caught down the leg side having made 21. James Billington has passed fifty only once to date but came close to doing so a second time reaching 46, including three fours and two sixes, before being trapped lbw, however his part in a stand of 107 put the visitors firmly in charge. Chris Booth was the only other batsman dismissed, managing to strike four boundaries before top edging a ball from Harry Harding straight up in the air gifting the spinner, and ‘keeper Harry Duke  a second dismissal of the afternoon. It was little consolation for either as soon after Snell struck the ball to the boundary for a tenth time in his 119 ball innings to bring about the victory, Ben Robinson making his competition debut at the other end watching on.

At Clifton Park, June 9. Clifton Alliance won by seven wickets. York played host to Yorkshire League North opponents for the third time in this season’s competition but were unable to repeat the level of performance that had seen off both Dunnington and Castleford in previous rounds, instead they were beaten in convincing fashion by their local rivals whose overseas player Matthew Montgomery produced a match-winning half-century on a day when several batsmen failed to go on after getting themselves in. David Friend and Samuel Grant kept York’s openers tied down. Accurate bowling focused on one side of the wicket allowed for a packed offside field, with a single fielder on the leg side at times there were just eight scoring shots in the opening ten overs, a period which also saw the crucial wicket of Duncan Snell fall, the opener stumped as he overstretched in defence to a ball from Friend. James Billington was beginning to show signs of his recent upturn in form but was bowled as he tried to clip Friend through the leg side for what would have been a third four in the over, and when Oliver Batchelor played down the wrong line to the next ball bowled by spinner Thomas Brown the home side were 51-3. Nick James and Matthew Bell’s fourth wicket partnership of 38 was the highest in a fractured innings punctuated by wickets at regular intervals, James was visibly annoyed with himself when a leading edge dropped into the hands of extra cover, and Tom Spearman was another caught on the edge of the inner circle having battled for 16 balls for a single. A disjointed batting performance was encapsulated when Bell was run out by a throw from third man coming back for what was always going to be an unlikely second as the home side scrambled to reach a competitive total. The final eight overs produced 51 runs and against a side which had struggled for runs since the start of the season a target of 172 should have represented an uncomfortable challenge. Guy Darwin found the edge of David Taylor’s bat with a lifting delivery in the fourth over but Greg Drewery and South African Montgomery were quick to seize on a number of wayward deliveries and the target was reduced to around 3.5 runs per over by Nick James ran in from deep square leg to catch Drewery of the bowling of Snell. The York captain was the most effective of a bowling attack going for less than three runs an over on a day when, with the exception of youngster Jack Charters, the rest all conceded a run a ball or worse. Montgomery added 75 for the third wicket with Andrew Simpson, and in doing so reached 50 off 74 balls, he remained unbeaten at the end on 67 alongside Samuel Grant who brought a swift end to proceedings striking four consecutive boundaries in an over then a six in the next as the visitors reached their target with more than six overs to spare.

At Clifton Park, April 28. York won by 108 runs. Toss: Dunnington. A devastating spell of new ball bowling from Guy Darwin and Jonathan Moxon blew away the Dunnington top order as York brushed aside the challenge of the visitors, who lost their first six wickets for just seven runs, to ease into the second round. The home side who had earlier been put in to bat suffered an early blow when Oliver Batchelor was caught at the wicket by wicket-keeper Daniel Barrett off the bowling of Jonathan Anderson in the fourth over. On a wicket which appeared to lack pace Australian James Billington was caught in two minds and checked a drive shot sending a simple catch back to bowler Luke Kilby. Harry Franklin turned out to be playing the anchor role but it was confusion between himself and Nick James which resulted in a run out when the latter was late to set off having played the ball to gully and as a result failed to beat Kilby’s throw to the bowlers end, it left York on 73-3 at the halfway mark of their 40 overs. A further 10 overs passed yielding 50 runs before Franklin fell to the spin of seam bowling of Alec Drury one short of what would have been a hard fought half-century, his demise came courtesy of a gentle prod into the hands of extra cover. Tom Brooks looked to accelerate the scoring with an enterprising 30 of 41 balls but his departure with five overs to go and the total on 148 sparked a collapse as three further wickets were lost before the innings was closed on 178-9, Guy Darwin batting with an injured finger remained not on 31 not out (off 21 balls) the only batsman with a strike rate in excess of 100. What followed after the interval was as breath-taking as it was unexpected. Moxon was first to strike knocking Adam Sutcliffe’s off stump out of the ground in his first over. Darwin took the catch in his follow through when Chris Pereath struck a full toss tamely back at the bowler, his second wicket came in the middle of a somewhat unconventional hat-trick from Moxon who struck with the final ball of his second over and the first two of his third. The result was that within 5.2 over of the start of their innings more than half the Dunnington line-up had been and gone. Daniel Barrett, batting at No8 was the first to show any signs of a fight back striking three fours as he took the vast majority of the strike in a stand worth 33 with Luke Kilby for the seventh wicket. Daniel Woods replaced Moxon, who had taken four wickets for 18 runs in five overs, at the Shipton Road end and the move paid an immediate dividend when Barrett was trapped lbw. The spinner picked up his second wicket thanks to a fine reaction catch by Nick James at slip who adjusted well to take a fine single handed catch low to his right.  Two became three when, with the total on 69 David Brent swung across the line to a straight delivery and was bowled. The last wicket went to teenage spinner Clarke Doughney making his debut in the competition for York, having already beaten the bat on a number of occasions he was rewarded when finding the edge of last man Jonathan Anderson’s bat wicket-keeper Brooks making no mistake. The visitors had been bowled out inside 27 overs to lose by 108 runs.

The memories of a disappointing performance last Sunday at Malton & Old Malton CC were banished yesterday, with a hugely improved performance and excellent Win against Pocklington CC.

YCC U.13B              :  79-6

M & OM  U.13 A     :  81 -1 

Appreciating the M & OM match was only the B Teams’ second match in 6 weeks there were many good aspects with Bat and Ball however, as we discussed after the match, we effectively ‘ lost ‘ the match due to a poor performance in the field.

Having batted first a ‘ patient ‘ 30 Retired from Rohan and a ‘ Cameo ‘ from Skipper Alfred Massey 11, were the backbone with no other Batsman disappointingly reaching double-figures …. 79 – 6 was defendable but only if we played well in ‘ Second-Half ‘.

Unfortunately, that was not the case … we were very grateful to Rohan for ‘ taking the Gloves ‘ in the absence of a recognised Keeper, we know it would be ‘ tough ‘ and this was compounded by our fielding and positioning… aspects we work hard on and discuss a lot in training, which were disappointing.

It took M & OM 16 overs to score the runs … so 5 an over … another 20 runs would have made it interesting but our shortfall with the Bat and lapses in the Field were the difference.

However … what a difference a Week can make ….

YCC U.13B : 123 – 6 

PCC U.13A. :  81 – 4

‘ Energised ‘ was the word from Skipper Massey, as the Players came off the Pitch with a 42 Run victory and how true !

Batting first we much more positive and focused .. 30* Rtd from George Armitstead, 19 from the Skipper, 17 no from Henry Ellerker and 13 from Batsman/Keeper Toby ‘ The Look ‘ – together with a generous 33 Extras gave us an excellent total.

Our bowling was improved ( still a few too many Extras .. 21 ) but it was in the Field we clearly  ‘ stepped up ‘ .. with excellent contributions from everyone.

Wickets ‘ up front for Chris Green 2 ov 1 for 5, Skipper Massy 2 ov 1 for 6 and late in the Innings for Teerdha Thotli 2 ov 1 for 6, Will Rollo-Gardner 2 ov 1 for 10 and good performances with the ball from the rest.

Congratulations – but now can we please maintain that momentum as we play Yapham CC tomorrow evening .. ?

Well, for those at Abbeydale last night – Players and Supporters .. what can I say ?

An evening I suspect none of those there will forget …

A County Cup Quarter-Final against one of the most respected South Yorkshire, if not also County Clubs – Sheffield Collegiate CC ( SC CC ) … the Home of Root & Vaughan.

Losing the Toss we were invited to Bat but, as we anticipated, tight bowling kept the scoring rate ‘ in check ‘ …. unfortunately, coupled with the early wicket of Opener Alex Strain.

The arrival of Capt. Jack Robinson moved the score along and together with Henry Roberts we moved to 22, before Henry was also Bowled.

Abelard Roberts joined Jack – who proceeded to ‘ move up a Gear ‘ and began to punish the bowling attack. A difficult chance he gave was ‘ put down ‘ …. ah … as I regularly tell them “ Catches Win Matches “…..  Jack then moved quickly to 29 and hit a boundary 4 to retire 33no ( off 30 balls ).

Unfortunately our ‘ Middle Order ‘ struggled to maintain the momentum and we lost Abelard for 4, Suvan for 4, Zac Oxley for 0, relying on Seb Hardy 8, Nicky Yates 10no and Oli Huffer 4 no to “ push us towards “  90… the 16 Extras assisted and we finished on what we agreed was a ‘ below par ‘ 88 – 6.

The mood however was very determined and we agreed if we matched their intensity and application in the field then ‘ it was Defendable ‘ !

Capt. Jack and Oli Phillips opened the bowling and, as ever, kept it very tight. The introduction of Seb Hardy maintained that and with the arrival of Ryan Hodgson the first wicket fell in the 7th ov … 1 for 30.

Wickets then began to fall at regular intervals and the self-belief within the Team visibly grew … Ryan with another in his 2nd ov and Seb with one in his 3rd left SC CC 73-3 in the 15th … with increasing pressure arrived fabulous levels of fielding… the number of runs saved a real tribute to the Team’s commitment.

Jack then changed the momentum with the ‘ inspired ‘ introduction into the attack of Suvan Seluan and within a couple of overs we seemed to have ‘ secured ‘ our grip on the game

A YCC injury … Zac Oxley in making another excellent stop … on goes our 12th Man ..Alfred Massie … who suggested to me a 12th Man was just a ‘ luxury ‘ ?

The home Team now clearly felt the pressure : 76-5, 80-6, ….. a Wicket each for Henry Roberts and Capt. Jack built the intensity…until 4 overthrows seemed that it might have just ‘ cost us ‘ .. ?

2 overs remaining… 9 to Win for Collegiate and return of Ryan Hodgson for an excellent 19th was quite ‘ pivotal ‘…. 2 Wickets for 2 runs …. 83-8 and 7 off 6 for Collegiate to triumph.

Suvan was thrown the Ball and with Vice-Capt Strain ‘ marshalling ‘ the Field placings with precision we awaited the 20th … the final 6 balls ….

A  ‘ dot ‘ then a single … then a dot … 6 from 3 … 2 wickets ‘ in hand ‘ … then … a 4 ball
(despite a valiant attempt on the Boundary by the Capt ) … so now 2 from 2 …. SH CC smelt Victory again ‘ … a good ball and the drop and run ‘ policy implemented by SC CC … …. a RUN OUT… 88-9 .. 2 needed for them from the last …..

Once again a good ball just swinging past the bat and then Off Stump … the Bails were ‘ whipped ‘ of  ‘ like Lighting ‘ by V-C Strain …. UP went the Finger from the Square Leg Umpire. … OUT !

……SC CC All Out for 88 – organised  ‘chaos‘ both in noise and with joy from the YCC Players and quite understandably the opposite …. total dejection of Hosts SC CC…. a York CC Win by 1 Run !

How to snatch Victory from the Jaws of Defeat …

The Match was really won with the Ball and in the Field – well done indeed to all 12 Players a superb effort and a very memorable Win.

Thank you so much to our On Field Umpire Derek Lancaster, Coaching Team Mick Hammerton and Matt Huffer …. as well as all our Travelling ‘ Barmy Army ‘ of Supporting Parents.

An excellent Advert ‘ for the quality of U.13 Club Cricket within the County and real tribute to both Teams for a Fabulous Match … the Semi-Final beckons .. the winners of Olicanians CC .v. Osset CC.

After our ‘ tight ‘ Win last week in the District Cup Preliminary Round we produced a much improved and very ‘ Professional ‘ performance by the A Team yesterday, to secure a place in the 2nd Round of the District Cup.

After losing the Toss and being invited to Bat we began with a solid early Partnership between Henry Roberts and Suvan ( 20-0 after 7ov ) which then accelerated, as they just ‘ dismantled  ‘ the HCC attack for 59 runs in 6 overs ….with some excellent timing and destructive hitting – both reaching 24 no and then each hitting a maximum over the Boundary to Retire on 30 – just fabulous to watch.

Losing such momentum, as effectively we had 2 new Batsmen, is always challenging but Lucas Oxley, Seb Hardy,George Armitstead and Nicky Yates all ‘ worked hard ‘ to keep the Scoreboard ‘ ticking over ‘ to leave us with a  ‘defendable ‘ total of 104 – 4 …. if we bowled and fielded to our potential.

Opening with ‘ Hurricane Oli  ‘ ( 4ov 1mdn 1 for 9 ) and Henry R ( 3ov 0 for 7 ) we kept the early HCC Batsmen in check …  scoring at 3 an over, with the one early Wicket for Oli.

The introduction of our first change Bowlers … Alfred Massie and Oli Huffer ( 3 ov 0-14 ) saw an acceleration from HCC but shortly thereafter the Wickets also began to fall as they tried to ‘ keep up  ‘ with the increasing scoring rate.

Alfred’ s figures especially reflected that fact, as HCC played their shots but also lost Wickets to leave him with respectable figures of 3ov 1mdn 3 for 20.

The introduction of Seb Hardy created more challenges for HCC with excellent ‘ line and length ‘ ( 3ov 0 for 6 ) together with a Run Out after some excellent keeping and glove work from Toby ‘ the Look ‘.

HCC were by the end of the 15th at 64-4 requiring another 10 runs an over and we were  ‘into ‘ their lower middle order who, with respect, were not capable of managing that especially with Seb ‘s form and the introduction of spin through Ryan Hodgson ( 3ov 0-20) and George A.

George ( 1ov 1 for 9 ) just had time to ‘ grab ‘ a Wicket in the 20th with HCC closing on 88-6 and a YCC win by 16 runs with the District Cup Qtr Final draw taking us Away to the Winners yesterday of Bolton Percy CC or Malton & Old Malton CC on the 27th June.

An outstanding period of Bowling last night from “ Hurricane Phillips “ launched the Team towards Victory against a very strong Clifton Alliance – who clearly believed  ‘ on Paper ‘ they were the stronger Team and secured a place for YCC in the U.13 County Cup Knockout Quarter-Fimnal, Away at Sheffield Collegiate CC- the Home of Root and Vaughan !

Battling first, the side made a steady start, only to be ‘rocked ‘ by two outstanding pieces of Fielding – the first …. a direct hit from 30yds to ‘ Run-Out ‘ Alex Strain for 2 and the second an excellent catch to dismiss Skipper Jack Robinson for 18.

Re-building, Henry and Abelard Roberts created a platform for a good score, Henry 30 rtd and Abelard 18 – but with further accurate, tight Bowling from Alliance there was no late acceleration and a total of 92, whilst ‘ solid ‘ would take some defending….little did we know that “ Hurricane Phillips “ was coming over the Horizon !

Opening the Bowling Oli Phillips ‘ ripped ‘ through the Alliance Top-Order with a scintillating spell .. 4 overs 2 maidens, 4 wickets for 3 to leave them on 8 from 4 after the first 7 overs. Well supported by the Skipper 3ov 0 for 4, our Opposition reached their half-way point on 15 for 5 .. the introduction of Seb Hardy maintained the pressure, coinciding with another superb Run-Out, 30yd direct hit from the boundary, this time from our very own Henry Roberts.

An excellent catch ‘behind ‘ the following Over from Keeper Strain, standing up to the Bowling of Henry Roberts, effectively ‘ killed ‘ our Opponents at 22 for 6.

Skipper Robinson then switched his Bowling to include Ryan Hodgson 3ov 1 for 5, Alfred Massey 1ov 1-1, Nicky Yates 1ov 0-4,George Armitstead 2ov 0-12, Oli Huffer 1ov 0-5, and the last 2 wickets came in the 20th as Abelard Roberts ‘ cleaned up ‘ 0.5ov 2 for 0…Alliance All Out for 51 and a Win by 41 Runs.

An outstanding performance and Victory – the Team were focused, committed in the Field, defending a good but ‘ getable ‘ total – launched by “ Hurricane Phillips “ !

A ‘ hard earned ‘ A Team victory yesterday against a much improved Dunnington CC Team enables us to progress to the 1st Rnd proper.

A Team showing 4 changes from Friday’s exciting County Cup win Bowled first and Oli Philips – fresh from his success on Friday, opening with Alfred Massey kept the early pressure on the Visitors – but without any success leaving D CC 25-0 after 10ov.

D CC were ‘ held together ‘ by Britain 30 rtd and Bodil 14 whilst Wickets tumbled around them – with the outstanding YCC performance coming from Ryan Hodgson .. who after a challenging first over (conceding 12 runs) proceeded to bowl his remaining 3 overs with
4 wickets for 1 run ( 4 : 2 M 4 for 13 ) to ‘ rip out ‘ the middle order leaving D CC to finish on 56 – 7, with a wicket each for Henry and Abelard Roberts and very tidy ‘ returns ‘ for Phillips 4ov 0 – 5, Massey 3ov 0 – 6, Henry Ellerker one Maiden, Will Rollo-Gardner 1ov 0 – 2 and Rohan K 2ov 0 -11.

Chasing 57 – seemingly very” getable “ .. the Team made an extremely  ‘ challenging ‘ start with both Openers – Henry and Abelard R dismissed for Ducks 🦆….Yates and Phillips 1 each … Ellerker 5 and Rohan K 4 ….. very fortunately indeed the side were extremely indebted … firstly with 21 from “ Extras ‘ who  ‘ slotted ‘ very well into our Side … together with a very timely 16 from George Armitstead  – which put us within ‘ striking distance ‘, followed by an excellent little ‘’ Cameo “ from Toby ‘ The Look ‘ with 10 no. …. thankfully ‘ dragging ‘ the Team “Over the Line” for a 3 Wicket Win.

Heart murmurs for the Management Team pending …. the Team battled hard and now face Heworth CC, Away next Sunday in the First Round ..

York suffered an opening day Premier League defeat for the first time since 2015 losing to Woodhouse Grange by five wickets at a bright but bracing Clifton Park. The home side were without their new captain Ryan McKendry, side-lined through injury, and Simon Lambert (precautionary covid self-isolation) as they began the season against one of their closest rivals in recent years.

Duncan Snell and Guy Darwin shared a second wicket partnership of 121 following the early loss of Finlay Bean, who returns to the club after spending the previous YPLN season (2019) with Yorkshire Academy. There was perhaps an air of expectation that Snell would become the first York batsman to reach a half-century, and the prolific left-hander did not disappoint, passing the ‘mark for the 42nd time in his 84th innings in the competition. Off-spinner Chris Suddaby captured the prized wicket in the 32nd over with the total on 148, but the stand-in captain left the crease for 76 off 99 balls with his side in a commanding position.

Wickets in consecutive overs from Tom Neal brought the visitors back in to the game and in truth the home side squandered what had been a strong position reaching 245-9 from their 50 overs when a total nearer 300 had looked within reach. Darwin had looked to be heading for a century but had to settle instead for a Premier League best 85, his innings ending in disappointment when a mix up in calling with the newly arrived Tom Brooks left both batsmen at the same end the score at that stage had been 218-6 with five overs remaining. Apart from Snell and Darwin no York batsman scored more than Charlie Elliot’s 13, the off-spin of James Finch’s off-spin accounting for four late order wickets in the closing overs, the visiting captain finishing with 4-66 from 13 overs.

Jack Charters struck an early blow trapping Oscar Sugden lbw but by the time fellow opener Harry Gamble, a recent recruit from Beverley Town, was bowled by Tom Forsdike for 50 the score had reached 100-2. Chris Bilton (64) became the second ‘Grange batsman to pass 50, ‘keeper Brooks’ low catch giving Charters a second wicket, that after Clark Doughney had bowled Zimbabwean Jarryd Basson for 29. Forsdike’s second wicket brought together the sixth wicket pair of Tom Young and James Finch with 60 runs needed off the final 10 overs, a target achieved in some comfort with two overs to spare.

For those York supporters seeking solace following the performance the 2015 sides opening defeat culminated in a league title success in which Simon Lambert finished as the leading run scorer and Ryan McKendry their leading wicket-taker.

York took the first step towards semi-final qualification in the Yorkshire League North T20 a controlled innings from Duncan Snell who made 45 form 43 balls guiding them to a four wicket Group B win over Sheriff Hutton Bridge at Clifton Park. Three wickets each from Clark Doughney and Guy Darwin were also key factors in restricting the visitors to a total of 145 after they had made a strong start.

The visitors opening pair of Arthur Campion and Freddie Collins got the innings off to a brisk start, despite a quarter of an hour interruption for rain, sharing ten fours in the opening five overs and it was right at the end of that period that Doughney took the first of his wickets. Collins had dispatched three of the spinners first five deliveries to the boundary but over-balanced attempting a repeat and was stumped by Alex Liley. Tommy Hudson continued the good work Collins had begun and the scoring rate and the total passed 100 at the start of the thirteenth over. A second wicket partnership worth 55 from 48 balls was ended when Campion, who had scored 42, miscued a ball from Guy Darwin high off the leading edge and the bowler took a comfortable catch. Hudson fell in similar fashion this time Liley pouching the catch the batsman having scored 38 from only 30 balls. Matthew Roberts, making his premier league t20 debut, bowled with great control the spinner sending down 3.5 overs of spin at a cost of just 16 runs through to the close of the innings, conceding just one boundary. Visiting captain Mark Fisher was fourth out for just three Harry Adair taking a well-judged catch at long-on to give Darwin his third wicket with the score on 115, but it was the loss of three quick wickets that really put the brake on the scoring just as ‘Bridge should have been looking to accelerate through the closing overs. Roberts fellow spinner Doughney operating from the Shipton Road end picked up two wickets in the space of three balls including Tatenda Shuttleworth-Richardson for 13. Dave Henstock provided some late fireworks striking Doughney for the consecutive boundaries one of which was a maximum but he was then stumped off Roberts at the start of a final over which included two run out and saw the visitors bowled out for 145 with a ball to spare.

Freddie Collins should have had a wicket in the opening over of the hosts’ reply but the straight-forward catching chance offered by Harry Adair was put down, and although it would prove ultimately to be too costly it allowed York to get off to a flying start with 36 on the board before the third over had been completed. Charlie Elliot’s was the first wicket to fall, having taken two boundaries off the luckless Collins but an attempted third saw a leading-edge carry to Mark Fisher at mid-wicket. That was the first of three wickets to fall in as many overs Adair failed to control a cut stroke that climbed on him and Finlay Bean went after a wide ball, both shots resulting in catches for ‘keeper Nicholas Gill and after a bright start the home side found themselves 39 for three an needing to consolidate. Guy Darwin has discovered some good early season form with the bat and joined skipper Duncan Snell at the crease, their partnership of 39 from 28 balls bring the required rate down below a run-a-ball for the first time, the inclusion of eight wides in the opening ten overs also assisting the hosts cause. Darwin contributed 12 to the partnership before being caught at mid-off and when Matthew Roberts was caught by a diving Andy Frank at extra cover York had once again slipped behind the rate with 54 more required off 44 balls. What should have been the bonus of a free hit from a David Henstock no-ball back-fired when Alex Liley having failed to beat Mark Fisher with a drive was unable to re-make his ground and was run out. With the total on 116 for six and more than six an over required the home sides chances looked dependant on their captain remaining at the crease although in the closing stages he was outscored by Oliver Leedham. The critical over turned out to be the penultimate one off the innings bowled by Mark Fisher it began with 14 runs still required for victory but a lofted blow into the legside and an outside edge which ran away for four both from the bat of Leedham combined with some quick running reduced the target to two off the final six balls. The match concluded in somewhat bland circumstances, given it had been for the most part an absorbing contest, Matthew Bird sent down the sides fifteenth wide to bring the scores level and an eleventh leg-bye signalled an end to proceedings, a total of 28 extras the third highest contribution to the total.

Tom Forsdike was the hero of York’s latest nerve-shredding victory, the spinner picking up three wickets in the final over including two in two balls to close out the match and secure a five-run win against Woodhouse Grange.

 The task for the fielding side was hampered when Jonathan Moxon had to withdraw from the attack having bowled four overs for just ten runs, and the move almost certainly took some of the early pressure off the Woodhouse’ openers. The departure of Andrew Bilton to neighbours Dunnington has been offset somewhat by the recruitment of Harry Gamble, Beverley Town’s leading premier league run scorer in 2019, and the new arrival made 25 before sending a catch to Duncan Snell at mid-off with the total on 72 at the start of the 14^th over, fellow opener Tom Young having earlier departed caught at point by Harry Adair off Guy Darwin. Christopher Bilton is among the all-time leading run scorers in Yorkshire League North and was able to take advantage of a wicket pitched off centre demonstrating the full array of stroke play that has brought him nearly 3000 runs at this level. He brought up his fifty off 44 balls and when Henry Wilson matched the efforts of his captain albeit at a slightly slower rate of scoring the pair were in the mist of a partnership which looked to be taking control of the game. It needed a good ball from Clarke Doughney to alter the course of proceedings and he found it to bowl Wilson, and four overs later the youngster picked up the crucial wicket of Bilton, this time courtesy of an excellent catch to a diving Nick James at extra cover.  That wicket came in the final over of the spinners spell and at a critical point in proceedings with a further 44 runs required from 36 balls. In the very next over Guy Darwin had Christopher Suddaby caught at wide mid-off by Alex Liley and in the space of a dozen balls ‘Grange lost three wickets when Stephen Burdett picked out Darwin fielding at long on to give Tom Forsdike his first wicket of the afternoon. Tight overs from Forsdike and Darwin increased the pressure on the batting side and tilted the equation in the visitors’ favour leaving 23 required from the final two overs. A six from Declan Eastwood off Snell in the penultimate over breathed new life into the contest and gave the home side renewed hope only for it to be tempered when Tom Neal was caught by Adair with five balls of the match remaining. A slip in the field gave Eastwood a much-needed boundary but then attempting to find what would have been a match winning maximum he was caught by Guy Darwin at long-on. It brought an end to an enterprising innings of 26 off just 17 balls but left Alfie Oliver to face the last ball knowing only a six would do. Thankfully for York his swing failed to connect and having strayed from his crease presented Tom Brooks with a stumping opportunity which the ‘keeper gleefully accepted. The chaos of the final over left Forsdike with back-to- back four wicket hauls, the fourth spinner to do so for the club in the Premier League North era.

The new season dawned belatedly under leaden skies and despite an assured half-century from first team debutant Alex Liley reigning Yorkshire League Champions Sheriff Hutton Bridge recorded their third consecutive victory in the league at Clifton Park, but this was the closest of them with a three wicket win coming with just three balls to spare.

Before play got underway players and officials from both sides gathered on the square to honour the memory of York cricket club captain Daniel Woods with a minutes silence, notable absentees from the scene were the trio of Simon Lambert, Ben Robinson and James Billington who all failed to return from a winter in Australia before travel sanctions were imposed. That led to the decision to move Guy Darwin up to open alongside skipper Duncan Snell and meant Alex Liley, who has progressed through the junior ranks at Clifton Park, joined new signing Harry Adair in making their debuts. Snell’s decision to bat first meant the visitors, who suffered several high-profile departures over the winter, had to contend with a wet ball throughout the innings as light showers became a feature of the early afternoon. Darwin lost both opening partner Snell and newcomer Adair inside the first 14 overs but a solid defence and a degree of patience was rewarded with a half-century off 74 balls including seven fours which was arrived at  just after the mid-point of the home sides 40 over innings. A third wicket partnership of 46 alongside Nick James was the most productive of the innings, and it was the departure of James for 24 that brought Liley to the crease. The debutant had scored 16 and the total had reached 127 when Tommy Hudson took a fine over the shoulder running catch at backward point to dismiss Darwin (59) and give ‘Bridge’s new signing Matthew Bird the second of what would quickly become three wickets as the hosts lost three wickets in the space of four overs just as they should have been looking to accelerate. Jonathan Moxon struck some much needed boundaries either side of a rain break which saw tea taken and coupled with the intent from Liley, whose game looked well suited to the demands of the situation, 38 were added to the total in the space of four overs. Liley was dismissed for 52 off the first ball of the final over, an innings of 48 balls including four fours ended by a full delivery from Freddie Collins who struck again with the final ball of the innings to claim figures of 4-34 as the home side closed on 195-9.

York began well in the field Oliver Leedham rewarded for a tight new ball spell with the early wicket of Louis Foxton and when a slip from Adam Fisher left Arthur Campion stranded mid-pitch resulting in a run out the visitors found themselves 26-2 after 10 overs. The next 18 overs however belonged to the batting visiting skipper Fisher and Tommy Hudson taking full advantage as the change bowlers offered scoring opportunities on both sides of the wicket. The total moved on to 113 from 25 overs, with Hudson having passed 50 (off 52 balls) and his partner seemingly destined to do likewise, before Tom Forsdike was introduced to the attack. Holder of the club competition best 7-28, the spinners impact was almost immediate. Two wickets in his second overs removed the dual threat of both Fisher brothers, Adam miscued a sweep to short square leg four runs short of a half-century and younger brother Mark was caught and bowled without scoring. Fellow spinner Clarke Doughney had Freddie Collins caught in the deep and with six wickets down and a required rate exceeding a run a ball the hosts looked to be in the ascendency. Hudson continued to take the attack to the bowlers and in Toby Latham found a willing ally, the seventh wicket pair added 46 in only 36 balls but with victory in sight there was late drama when Leedham trapped Hudson lbw for 90 with seven still needed from nine balls, but Latham with just two previous 1st team appearances back in 2017 held his nerve to pick off the winning runs.

After a world Cup that has inspired a new generation of cricketers what better than a summer of cricket with a county renowned coach at a first class cricket venue.

SUMMER CLINIC 2019 to Mark (1)

At Sandhill Lane, July 6.

York won by 71 runs. Woodhouse Grange 0pts, York 10pts.

Toss: York.

This clash between the championship holders and the pretenders to their crown, had it gone to form, would have seen Woodhouse Grange open up a seemingly unassailable 35 point advantage and all but ended York’s hopes of retaining their title, but an extraordinary contest has opened up the race not only to these two but the three sides separating them all five now covered by just 15 points. There was little evidence of what was to come as James Billington struck three fours and a six off James Finch to advance the score on to 91-1 in the 15th over. The only wicket to fall that of Jack Leaning, one of six changes to the side which suffered a heavy defeat in the reverse fixture back in early May, he somewhat fortuitously for the hosts hit a full toss from Josh Jackson straight into the hands of Chris Wood at deep square leg.  The visitors appeared to be on top of the bowling both Billington and Duncan Snell finding the boundary on a regular basis but everything changed when the York captain having reached 43 failed to clear Steve Burdett at long-on off his opposite number Finch. That dismissal set in motion a collapse which would see six wickets fall for 42 runs in just over an hour. Billington was next to depart the Australian, having come within four runs of a half-century for the second Saturday in a row, top edged a sweep on to his pads, a simple catch ballooning up to the wicket-keeper. Of the next six batsmen only Oliver Batchelor reached double figures before falling to an excellent diving catch by Chirs Suddaby at mid-on, his dismissal came as part of a devastating spell from Chris Wood, the spinner picking up wickets in four of his first five overs at a cost of just eight runs. Daniel Woods and Guy Darwin managed to stem the tide, and put in the context of what was to come, certainly broke the momentum of the match that was all going the way of the home side. The pair saw out 11 overs adding 13 more to the score, and a further 18 came from a last wicket partnership between Clarke Doughney and Darwin, the latter last out for 20 in the final over with the total on 167. Just as the visitors had the hosts began well against the new ball losing only the one wicket in the opening dozen overs, but perhaps crucially it was that of their leading run scorer Andrew Bilton caught low down at point in Jack Leaning’s first over. On an afternoon that will most likely be remembered for the exploits of the spinners Charlie Elliot’s seven over spell of seam played a crucial role as events unfolded before a disbelieving crowd following both sides. Leaning, having picked up the first had a hand in the next three wickets too, twice taking catches at slip off Elliot in between which picking up the valuable wicket of Simon Tennant. The opener had got to 18 before clipping a ball off his pads at pace straight into the hands of Billington at short leg.  By the 20th over the fielding side were firmly in charge and clearly relishing their work the scoreboard read 76 for 6 and both Leaning and Elliot had three wickets. The latter gave way to Daniel Woods and the talismanic spinner, still undergoing his cancer treatment, was soon in on the action picking up the wicket of Tom Neal, the former Acomb player one of only three ‘Grange batsmen to reach double figures.  Leaning picked up his fourth wicket and Woods the final two as the home side narrowly avoided their lowest ever total in the competition that was 92 against Harrogate in 2016, this time they reached 96.

Congratulations to Billy Armitstead, Elias Smith, Alex Wood and Georgie Flack on their Yorkshire selection.