It was a case of déjà vu for Britcom sponsored Londesborough Park’s 1st XI last weekend when they hosted Acomb 2nd XI as, yet again, the batsmen posted a reasonable total but the opposition managed to gain the upper hand with less than 2 overs to spare.
Skipper Greg Drewery was back at the helm and decided to take first knock. The second XI’s double centurion Lucas Stephenson, having been elevated to the first team, came back down to earth with a big bump as he failed to trouble the scorers. Fellow opener James Beevers (10) was then run out, bringing the skipper in to join Charlie Rook who was making a welcomed return to the action. A 50 run partnership followed before Drewery fell for 37. James Hanley kept the runs flowing but lost his partner Rook who was bowled 4 runs short of a half century. Two more wickets in quick succession reduced the Park to 121 for 6 but William Stephenson again showed his metal with 20 and a late flurry from Michael Drewery (24 no) saw the Park to a decent total of 172 for 7 at the tea break.
The Park’s bowlers kept the Acomb openers in check and Tom Sowersby made the initial breakthrough, dismissing Scott Nicholls for 10. The visitors consolidated and took the score to 68 before Paul Hemingway nicked to the skipper behind the sticks to give Ben Shingles a wicket. A third wicket partnership of 42 was curtailed by Charlie Rook who finally beat the defence of opener James Fletcher (64). Tom Sowersby returned to the action and removed both Dan Littlewood and Martin Pepper with the score on 121, Acomb now five down and game on. However Alex Topham and Daniel Watkinson carefully steered the visitors towards their target and, despite William Stephenson’s second catch to remove the latter, Topham (36 no) timed the chase to perfection as Acomb took the spoils with 7 deliveries remaining.
The Park are now in ‘no man’s land’ in Ebor division 2 but should improve their position this Saturday against bottom of the table Malton & Old Malton 2nd XI. The club is grateful to match ball sponsor TKStairs.com.
Londesborough Park 1st XI (C Rook 46, G Drewery 37) Acomb 2nd XI 173-6 (J Fletcher 64, A Topham 36 no, T Sowersby 3-31)
The Red Lion sponsored 2nd XI drove west to Dunnington in search of a rarity – consecutive victories – which continues to remain a rarity as they did well to finish second in this one sided contest.
Invited to bat first, the hosts failed to utilise all of the overs at their disposal as Tom Williamson returned superb figures of 6 for 57 despite the best efforts of Andrews with 43 and Spofforth with 35. A target of 166 for maximum points was well within the Park’s capability – well it was until they started batting. Williamson’s six wicket haul was matched by Sutcliffe, the only difference being the latter conceded a mere 13 runs as the Park capitulated to 67 all out.
With 5 fixtures remaining the 2nd XI needs to secure a victory or two to avoid being drawn into a relegation battle. A visit to Civil Service this weekend provides the first opportunity. Thanks to Watson Home Furnishers for sponsoring the Dunnington match ball.
Dunnington 2nd XI 165 (D Andrews 43, J Spofforth 35, T Williamson 6-57) Londesborough Park 2nd XI 67 (A Sutcliffe 6-13)