Michael Drewery took charge of Londesborough Park’s 1st XI in the absence of skipper Tom Eagling for last weekend’s fixture at Stamford Bridge and oversaw another solid performance.
The Park’s inning started with a flourish as James Beevers notched up some early boundaries but following his demise for 25 the host’s bowling improved, stemming the flow of runs. Drewery (34) and Charlie Rook (13) took the total to 62 but both departed, leaving Ben Lewis and Steve Dawson to lead the attack. With less than 100 on the board with only 15 overs remaining the batsmen went on the attack, Lewis scoring six boundaries and a maximum in his 61 and Dawson remaining undefeated on 59 as the Park reached a respectable 204 for 4 at the interval.
The opening attack of Tom Sowersby and Joe Shingles used the new ball well, bowling good lines and making newly crowned keeper Dawson’s job relatively comfortable. Sowersby claimed three wickets in relatively quick succession as the Park’s fielding and catching supported the bowlers, despite a difficult out field. Charlie Rook ended the resistance of opener Martyn Woodliffe (34) as well as Andrew Healey but the bridge battened down the hatches and Paul Milner (71 no) remained an immoveable object as the game petered out to a draw.
There were several contenders for the Harpers Man of the Match award in Lewis, Dawson and Sowersby. The Gun Room, Holme-on-Spalding-Moor kindly sponsored the match ball.
Londesborough Park 1st XI 204-4 (B Lewis 61, S Dawson 59 no, M Drewery 34, J Beevers 25) Stamford Bridge 2nd XI 174-5 (P Milner 71 no, M Woodliffe 34, T Sowersby 3-41)
The 2nd XI played host to Cawood’s first team and put in a much improved performance after last week’s disappointment.
Skipper Ed Smith made the decision to field first with a more recognisable bowling line up which performed admirably, restricting the visitors to 204 for 9 in their 45 overs. Whilst a tad expensive, Ryan Curtis claimed four wickets, senior pro Steve Mudd chipped in with three, Rich Foster produced his usual miserly spell of 1 for 35 from 11 overs and Lucas Stephenson was the other successful bowler. Evergreen keeper Blaster Barlow pouched two catches and Cawood stalwart Stuart Baxter made 46 for the visitors whilst James Pullein top scored with 70.
The Park’s reply suffered an early blow when Stephenson departed for 8 but a patient second wicket partnership of 59 by Ian Hodson and Joel Taylor ensured no repeat of last week’s collapse. Taylor’s departure for 20 saw a further flurry of wickets but Hodson ensured a share of the points with a defiant, undefeated 66 as the Park closed on 127 for 5.
Ryan Curtis and Ian Hodson probably shared one of each as joint Harpers Men of the Match whilst the team is indebted to Southgate DIY for its kind sponsorship of the match ball.
Cawood 1st XI 204-9 (J Pullein 70, S Baxter 46, R Curtis 4-68) Londesborough Park 2nd XI 127-5 Ian Hodson 66 no)
Londesborough Park hosted a District Cricket under 14s fixture between East Yorkshire and North Yorkshire last Sunday. Despite the cold conditions a healthy number of spectators attended including none other than the current England football team manager Gareth Southgate and television news presenter Harry Gration. Both were watching their sons compete for North Yorkshire and both were very complimentary about the ground and its facilities. So if you get the urge to watch local cricket, why not visit the Park – you never know who you might bump in to!