Londesborough Park’s first bank holiday fixture saw the 1st XI renew rivalries with Yapham’s 1st XI in a home fixture which resulted in a comfortable victory for the Britcom sponsored hosts.
Skipper Tom Eagling gained the early advantage by winning the toss and choosing to field. A steady opening partnership between Ashley Cattle and Tom Connell was brought to a halt by Tom Sowersby who castled the latter for 13. Jason Nattrass was then pouched by Tom Williamson and first change bowler Ciaran Brooke joined the party by removing Cattle for 19 and Jack Holman for 2. James Beevers chipped in by bowling Will Axup for 5 to leave the visitors struggling on 75 for 5. Brooke subsequently claimed his third and when Williamson finally broke through Martin Pearson’s determined resistance and followed up by trapping Alex Nattrass LBW, the end was in sight. However an excellent 9th wicket stand of 34 between Jonathan Flint (20 no) and S Hardwick (17) saw Yapham through to tea with a total of 141 to defend.
Opener Michael Drewery missed out when he was bowled by Alex Nattrass for 6 but Beevers and Charlie Rook found the conditions and the bowling to their liking, posting a partnership of 58 until the guile of experienced campaigner Mike Newhouse did for Beevers (41). Undeterred, skipper Eagling joined Rook and rattled his way to an unbeaten 47, seeing the Park home to a highly satisfactory 8 wicket victory, Rook also carrying his bat with 48.
Three batsmen and an excellent spell of 3 for 18 from Brooke battled it out for the Harper's fish & chips man of the match award whilst the successful match ball was generously sponsored by MW Windows.
Yapham 1st XI 141-8 (M Pearson 35, C Brooke 3-18) Londesborough Park 1st XI 145-2 (C Rook 48 no, T Eagling 47 no, J Beevers 41)
The Red Lion sponsored 2nd XI’s winning run was short and sweet as, despite posting a challenging total, the Clifton Alliance batsmen powered their way to victory.
The Park took first knock and openers Ian Hodson and Joel Taylor laid a solid foundation with a first wicket stand of 52 before Taylor departed for 26. Rory Stephenson maintained the momentum with 21 before skipper Ed Smith (43) joined Hodson in a partnership of 64. Hodson batted throughout the innings for a valuable 80 as the Park posted 188 for 4.
With the exception of Matthew Phillips, bowled by Rory Stephenson for a duck, the Clifton batsmen maintained a run rate just short of 7 an over as the Park’s bowling attack was put to the sword. Opener Kevin Phillips was finally dismissed by Dan Howard for 60 but Jamie Butt with an unbeaten 90 and Mike Thompson, undefeated on 25, saw the hosts to a quick fire win by 8 wickets.
Ian Hodson enjoyed his Harper’s man of the match fish and chip supper and Wall of Sound kindly sponsored the match ball.
Londesborough Park 2nd XI 188-4 (I Hodson 80 no, E Smith 43, J Taylor 26) Clifton Alliance 2nd XI 1912 (J Butt 90 no, K Bradley 60, M Thompson 25 no)
The under 9s, sponsored by the Star Inn, Sancton, have been in action again with fixtures against Pocklington and Heworth. Against Pocklington an inexperienced side batted well but saw wickets fall at regular intervals, Austin Butterly and Jack Scanlon being the chief scorers with 12 apiece. In reply Lewis Chaplin produced some big hits for the hosts as the Park’s bowlers delivered a few too many wides and fell to defeat as the rain poured down.
In better weather conditions, accompanied by a low flying RAF plane and 4 red kites, the boys entertained Heworth in a home fixture. The Park posted 270-2, Cameron Hodson top scoring with 16. In reply Franco Hope (29) and Charlie Grant (20) were the chief contributors for the visitors in a total of 319-2, both wickets claimed by Hodson. The bowlers were again guilty of too many wides but Max Clegg produced an excellent fielding display to keep the flow of runs in check.