Stamford Bridge’s second string proved too strong for a slightly under strength Londesborough Park 1st XI last Saturday, the resulting defeat sending the Park into the relegation zone in Ebor division 2.
Vice captain Michael Drewery’s success at the coin toss mirrored that of absentee Tom Eagling and consequently the Britcom sponsored Park were invited to bat. An opening stand of 24 between Rory Stephenson and James Beevers, dominated by the latter, masked the carnage that was to follow. Mark Fairweather, having dismissed Stephenson, then removed Beevers for 34 and ripped out the middle order courtesy of three ducks on the trot! Will Stephenson’s defiant knock of 11 was ended by Des Healey before the Park gained a degree of respite as senior pro Mark Tissiman, making a welcomed return to the fold, almost singled handedly boosted the score to a respectable level before he was caught and bowled. Darren Moody added a quickfire 17 at the end of the innings but a total of 120 was unlikely to present the visitors with a significant challenge. However opening bowler Joe Shingles had other ideas.
Shingles, together with fellow opener Ciaran Brooke, put the Park firmly on the front foot as they ripped out 5 of the Bridge’s top order with only 28 on the board, stand-in keeper Joel Taylor taking four catches. Unfortunately that was as good as it got due to a match winning 6th wicket partnership of 93 between Salman Syed (51 no) and Roddy Vann (37 no), aided by 19 extras, despite Shingles’ haul of 4 for 26 from 11 overs.
Chief claimants of the Harpers man of the match award were Beevers, Tissiman and Shingles whilst the match ball was generously sponsored by The Market Weighton Pet Shop. The Park have 8 games remaining to pull themselves away from the wrong end of the division, starting with another home fixture against bottom club Pickering this Saturday.
Londesborough Park 1st XI 120 (M Tissiman 40, J Beevers 34, M Fairweather 5-20, D Healey 3-30) Stamford Bridge 2nd XI 121-5 (S Syed 51 no, R Vann 37 no, J Shingles 4-26)
The shortfall of players available for the first team resulted in disappointment for the Red Lion sponsored 2nd XI which had to concede its fixture against Cawood.