The County Ground at North Marine Road, Scarborough was the impressive venue for Britcom sponsored Londesborough Park 1st XI’s latest encounter which resulted in a draw, the Park just failing to chalk up a fifth victory of the season.
Invited to bat first, the Park made an inauspicious start losing key batsmen Phil Stothard, Lucas Stephenson and Charlie Rook with just 18 on the board. Skipper Greg Drewery and James Hanley repaired the early damage, putting together a partnership of 91 before Drewery was caught for 60. Hanley headed for the sheds shortly afterwards, caught and bowled for 33 and the hosts took further control as James Beevers fell cheaply. However a rearguard action from Tom Eagling (25), Ben Shingles (18) and brother Joe with 13 restored the balance, the Park finally mustering 179 for 9 at the butty break. David Snowball took the bowling honours for the seasiders with 3 for 20.
Strike bowler Joe Shingles found the track and conditions to his liking as he sent the first four batsmen back to the pavilion and then ran out Joshua Mainprize to reduce the hosts to 46 for 5. Rich Foster produced a miserly 12 over spell, conceding just 16, whilst a change of pace resulted in further breakthroughs for the Park as Charlie Rook nipped out Mark Cowell and Jake Finnagan, leaving the home team teetering on 65 for 7. However the lower order proved harder to remove as, despite the use of 8 different bowlers, Matthew Watson (26 no) and Charlie Hopper (25 no) stood firm to earn a draw for the hosts. Shingles finished with fine figures of 5 for 38 to add to his two catches and a run out.
This result consolidates the Park’s mid-division placing with 4 fixtures remaining. Thanks to local plumber Dave Brewer for sponsoring the match ball.
Londesborough Park 1st XI 179-9 (G Drewery 60, J Hanley 33, T Eagling 25, D Snowball 3-20) Scarborough 2nd XI 137-8 (M Watson 26 no, C Hopper 25 no, B Shingles 5-38)
The Red Lion sponsored 2nd XI leapt into the top half of Ebor division 3 following a well earned victory against Goole Town 2nd XI last Saturday.
For the second week running youngster Joel Taylor admirably donned the keeper’s gloves and took on the captaincy, sending Rory Stephenson and Sam Dodd to lead the Park’s innings. The latter fell to a run out but Stephenson (38) and Ed Smith kept the board ticking in a stand of 55. Tom Williamson came and went but Toby Stephenson (18) and Alex Varley (27) kept Smith company as he finally found the middle of the bat, bludgeoning 10 fours and 6 sixes in an unbeaten knock of 106. The pace of Sam Earl, who claimed 3 for 24, kept the score honest despite the Park racking up 221 for 7.
The visitors’ top order made a decent fist of the run chase with solid contributions from Harvey Thomas (54), Neil Webster (32) and an unbeaten 37 from Louis Sugden. However when Tom Williamson began to wield his magic and remove four of the first five batsmen there was little resistance from the middle order and tail as Ryan Curtis, Steve Mudd and Rory Stephenson all claimed wickets and Sam Dodd actioned two run outs to secure an important 47 run win for the Park.
The Weighton Whippet kindly sponsored the Goole match ball. The 2nd XI takes a rest this weekend before a local derby at Pocklington on 27th August.
Londesborough Park 2nd XI 221-7 (E Smith 106 no, R Stephenson 38, A Varley 27, S Earl 3-24) Goole Town 2nd XI 174 (H Thomas 54, L Sugden 37 no, N Webster 32, T Williamson 4-50)
The ever popular Londesborough Park six-a-side competition for social cricketers takes place this Sunday as ten local teams vie for the John Hall Memorial Shield with the Market Weighton Institute looking to defend their title. There’s plenty of food and drink for all with the action starting at 11am.