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Match Report
With
the ground looking at its seasons best to date, Londesborough Park's 1st
XI faced tough opposition in the guise of York 2nd XI last
Saturday and the obvious size and squad differentials of the respective
clubs became abundantly clear by the time the stumps were drawn.
The
York XI contained no lesser mortals than Neil Laidlaw who recently
represented Scotland in the Clydesdale Bank 40 fixtures against
Leicestershire and Kent, Richard Love and Jonathan Moxon, sons of ex
England and Yorkshire cricketers Jim Love and Martyn Moxon respectively
and captain Dave Simpson, a prolific run scorer in the York League for
many years. As for the Park – well there was Big Bird, Nelly, Fossy,
Blaster........
Scotland opened the bowling for York and pitched in with the wicket of
Big Bird who miss timed a pull in the 5th over. Fellow
paceman Hodsdon struck in the next over to dismiss Sam Dodd and when
Neil Stephenson was harshly adjudged LBW the Park's innings was
faultering on 38-3. Charlie Rook and Ian Hodson turned the tide,
sharing 35 before the latter became Hodsdon's third scalp. A further
rattle of wickets ensued in the 90s when firstly Rook (32) fell to
another LBW which Hawkeye might have ajudged differently and both James
Beevers and Dan 'the man' Howard failed to register. A repair job was
called for and the Ginger One and Blaster Barlow duly obliged with an 8th
wicket partnership of 69. Both produced their best knocks of the season
and by mid evening most of the Red Lion's customers were fully aware of
Blaster's 6 off Scotland's bowling (most of East Yorkshire will know by
now!). Unfortunately he departed 3 runs short of a half century (and
the free beer) and Tissiman followed soon after for a solid 39. The end
of the tail couldn't wag and the innings closed on 172 after 40 of the
allotted 45 overs, by no means a poor score but short of a target to
make the opposition quiver over their cucumber sandwiches. A total of
33 extras helped boost the score but if you think that figure is
excessive – read on.
Father and son combo Andrew and Dave Simpson opened the reply for York
and it soon became clear that the early evening sun was going to be
enjoyed outside the pavilion rather than in the middle. Tom Eagling
offered a ray of hope by taking the catch to dismiss Simpson junior for
12 off Rich Foster's 5th over but Simpson senior displayed
his qualities, dealing predominantly in boundaries as the Park's bowlers
toiled without success and the extras column in the scorebook filled
rapidly. The aptly named James Wackett provided good support as York
cruised to a 9 wicket victory inside 29 overs, Simpson remaining
undeafeted on 85, Wackett on 31 and extras on 45!
Not
the best display in the field and a disappointing result but it should
not be forgotten how far the Britcom sponsored Park has come in the York
League, now playing against the quality York had on offer. Last week's
match ball was kindly sponsored by XYZ printers and this weekend the
Park travel to Sheriff Hutton Bridge looking for a positive response.
Londesborough Park 1st XI 172 (C Barlow 47, M Tissiman 39, C
Rook 32, M Hodsdon 3-38) York 2nd XI 173-1 (D Simpson 85 no,
J Wackett 31 no)
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