| Match Report
The 2nd XI travelled to the land of the
cooling towers to the picturesque ground of Drax, fielding a team
consisting of 8 juniors from under 18s downwards.
Skipper Crofty lost the coin flip and was invited to bat in hot and
humid conditions. Plan A failed to materialize as opening bowler Matt
Atkinson had a field day, sending 5 of the Park's top order back to the
hutch. Fellow opener Aidan Coulbeck played a supporting role but at
47-6 it was definitely time for plan B – youth and experience. The
youth came in the guise of Tom Sowersby and the experience via the
flashing blade of George Drewery. A 7th wicket partnership
of 59 added respectability to the scorecard and when George departed for
26 Tom's younger brother Jack carried on the good work. Team Sowersby
added a further 77 and earned their half time butties, Tom finishing
undefeated on 71 and Jack 26.
Set a
target of 184 for victory Drax started at a steady pace but the Park's
junior bowlers never allowed them to dominate, picking up wickets when
needed. Vickers (30), Worley (32) and Witton (24 no) maintained the
home side's interest in the contest but Tom Noble with 3-37 and Eddie
Salmon 2-39 resulted in the Park earning the best of a draw as the hosts
were restricted to 160-8.
A
tremendous achievement from a side with an average age of 22 (Crofty and
George are no spring chickens!) and testament to the Park's junior
section and coaching structure.
Londesborough Park 2nd XI 183-7 (T Sowersby 71 no, J Sowersby
26 no, G Drewery 26, M Atkinson 5-37) Drax 2nd XI 160-8 (B
Worley 32, P Vickers 30, T Noble 3-37)
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