Londesborough Park Cricket Club’s 2017 campaign got under way last Saturday with two new captains at the helm following Greg Drewery’s transfer to Clifton Alliance and Darren Moody relinquishing the 2nd team position.
The 1st XI commenced with a home encounter against Bridlington’s 1st XI, resurrecting a fixture from the old Pennant Alliance days. In chilly but bright conditions debutant skipper Tom Eagling lost his first toss and, unsurprisingly, was invited to bat on a very dry wicket. Opener James Beevers was removed from the action early by Tom Jackson and the pairing of Lucas Stephenson and Charlie Rook found the going tough on a pitch favouring the bowlers. Ben Jackson then dealt a killer blow as Stephenson was caught for 14, Tom Eagling edged his first ball to the keeper and Rook’s resistance came to an end, trapped LBW. Michael Drewery and Sam Dodd worked the Park back into the game with a partnership of 55 until the latter was bowled by Harry Burton for 24. Drewery eventually succumbed for a top score of 37 as the Park struggled to post a competitive total. When the teams retired to the Peter Milne Pavilion for tea, Londesborough had posted a score of 130 for 8 which included 30 extras!
The Park’s defence of their small total started in ideal fashion as Luke Dixon was bowled by a daisy cutter form Mark Tissiman. The seaside batsmen found run scoring equally difficult but Richard Lount and Nick Tennant added 43 before both were dismissed, Tennant caught by Tom Williamson off Rook’s bowling and Lount run out by Drewery. A fourth wicket partnership of 65 from John Major and Simon Leeson put the visitors in sight of victory and, despite a late wicket when James Beevers ran out the former Prime Minister, Bridlington secured a 6 wicket victory with overs to spare.
A sound bowling and fielding effort from the Park but not enough runs to defend. The Harpers fish & chips man of the match went to Michael Drewery and the match ball was kindly sponsored by Market Weighton Windows.
Londesborough Park 1st XI 130-8 (M Drewery 37, S Dodd 24, B Jackson 3-17, H Burton 3-20) Bridlington 1st XI 133-4 (S Leeson 36 no, J major 30, R Lount 25)
The 2nd XI travelled to power station land to take on Drax’s first team. The hosts won the toss and chose to utilise a bouncy pitch first. Rory Stephenson was first to depart with the score on 12 but Ben Lewis and Ian Hodson took control with a partnership of 52 until Lewis became the first of Joseph Raynor’s four victims. Skipper Ed Smith chipped in with 14 but it was Hodson who held the innings together with a valuable 45 as, like their 1st XI counterparts, the twos found runs difficult to come by in the face of a sound bowling and fielding stint from the hosts, a final total of 135-8 off 45 overs looking a little light.
The Park’s opening bowlers, Richard Foster and Rory Stephenson, kept the Drax reply in check. Keeper Chris Barlow was tested by Joel Taylor’s rather wayward first over but second change bowler Ryan Curtis finally made a breakthrough, removing Stephen Ryan with the score on 57 and taking a return catch to send skipper Kevin Thomas packing for a duck just two balls later. Steve Mudd ensured the run rate slowed and ended Owen Crawford’s innings with the assistance of Blaster Barlow’s safe hands. Ben Lewis was introduced into the attack and extracted some swing which did for opener Luke Edwards (36). Mudd earned a second wicket but a quick-fire unbeaten 24 from Joseph Raynor eased the hosts over the line for a 5 wicket success.
The Harpers fish & chips men of the match were adjudged to be Ian Hodson and Ben Lewis. Thanks to Sally May Flowers for the sponsorship of the match ball.
Londesborough Park 2nd XI 135-8 (I Hodson 45, B Lewis 35, J Raynor 4-28) Drax 1st XI 138-5 (L Edwards 36)