York CC Vs Castleford CC – Match Report

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.