| Match Report
Londesborough Park's distant reputation for
manufacturing a batting collapse when all appeared well came back to
haunt them at Kings Mill Road, Driffield when a very even contest mid
way through the 2nd innings eventually became victory on a
plate for the home side.
It
was not quite 'a must win game' but rather a 'it would be handy if we
did win game'but the Park got off to an inauspicious start as two
players were stuck in congested cities. Driffield were invited to bat
and, in the absence of Rich Foster, Mark Tissiman and Dazzler Moody
shared the initial bowling duties. At the half way stage of the innings
the Park had performed well, restricting the home side to 88-2, Blaster
taking the catches to dismiss Busfield for 21 and Clarkson for 30 and a
wicket apiece for the bowlers. Unfortunately the board displayed 182
when the next wicket fell as Grantham and Chris Chapman plundered
boundaries at regular intervals. The latter was run out with 43 to his
name and the Park clawed their way back into the contest as Dan 'the
man' Howard's introduction resulted in the dismissal of Woodcock, Andy
Chapman and danger man Grantham (88). Tissiman's 24 over spell was
eventually rewarded with 3 wickets at the death as the woldsmen
concluded on 241-9, probably less than they might have hoped for.
The
Britcom sponsored Park openers Big Bird and Callum Robertson produced an
ideal start to the run pursuit, keeping up with the clock and posting 78
before Callum departed for 28. Charlie Rook and Big Bird maintained the
momentum, taking the score merrily along to 123 at the half way drinks
interval. The pair added 50 for the 2nd wicket until Big
Bird's valuable knock of 75 was curtailed by Wooley. The run rate then
dipped but double figure contributions from skipper Rook, Neil
Stephenson and Ian Hodson kept the Park in the hunt and the home side on
their toes. As the target eased further towards the horizon a solid
draw became the bookies' favourite with 5 wickets in hand and 6 overs to
contend with. Three and a half overs later the bails were removed and
the Park's skipper was not the happiest bunny on the wolds, viewing a
total of 214 all out. Tennant with 3-61 and Andy Chapman with 4-46 were
the chief cause of the Park's misery.
All
is not lost and another key fixture at home to Folkton & Flixton this
Saturday will give the players the opportunity to bounce back. Thanks
to last week's match ball sponsor Mr & Mrs M Appleyard.
Driffield 2nd XI 241-9 (O Grantham 88, C Chapman 43, M
Clarkson 30, M Tissiman 4-100, D Howard 3-29) Londesborough Park 1st
XI 214 (J Williamson 75, C Rook 31, C Robertson 28, S Tennant 3-61, A
Chapman 4-46)
The
Park's 2nd XI picked up 30 cheap points as ailing side Cawood
2nds failed to gather up enough players to field a side. The match
ball, kindly donated by MW Windows, will stay in its box and make its
debut against Drax 2nds this weekend.
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