Acomb come out on top as leaders go head-to-head

Acomb and Dunnington went into their match at Common Lane as joint leaders of Hunters ECB Yorkshire Premier League North neither side having lost, and it was the visitors who retained that record with a convincing 76-runs victory over their title rivals. The victory owed much to their overseas signings past and present Darcy O’Connor and Darius D’Silva, the former now settled in the UK made 30 and claimed his first premier league five wicket haul (5-15), and current UAE international D’Silva made 35 and took 4-20, the pairs performances dominating a low scoring contest. The visitors scored 167, Luke Kilby (3-56) finishing with three wickets for the home side who looked to be in control in reply during a partnership of 63 for the third wicket between Adam Sutcliffe and George Drury (42) but from 70-2 they lost seven wickets for just 21 runs collapsing to 91 all out, and a first defeat of the season. 

 

Castleford are up to second in the table after they inflicted a fourth defeat of the season on Sheriff Hutton Bridge. The home side made a decent start through Mark Fisher (31) and Dulash Udayanga but after the former became the second of three wickets for Matthew Rees (3-36) it was left to the Sri Lankan to hold the innings together and he was able to shepherd the final two wickets to add 76, he remained unbeaten on 77 in a final total of 193 all out, Eddie Morrison eventually capturing the final two wickets to finish with 4-38. The only real concern for the visitors during their reply was an injury to Chesney Hughes forcing his retirement for 34 having put on 100 for the first wicket. Fellow opener Liam Hyde continued his excellent start to the season adding a further 62 in partnership with Brayden Clark (42no) before being dismissed for 78, by which time the game had ceased to be a contest. 

 

Christopher Bilton’s third half-century of the season came as Woodhouse Grange maintained a perfect Premier League record at the Alliance Cricket Ground as they made is four wins in four visits, beating Clifton Alliance by eight wickets to move up to third in the table. Tom Neal returned his competition best figures of 5-29 as the home side were bowled out for 101, which represented something of a recovery after being 64-8, Stephen Burdett having also picked up three wickets. Thomas Brown, coming in at number nine, top scored with 20 at least ensuring the side reached three figures. Samuel Grant (2-37) dismissed both Woodhouse openers but an unbroken partnership of 69 dominated by Bilton (71no) saw the visitors reach their target inside 24 overs. 

 

For the second week in a row Yorkshire Academy captain Will Luxton (64no) led from the front, his second half-century in as many weeks this time contributing to a comfortable run chase as the hosts beat Driffield Town by six wickets. The visitors made a reasonable start thanks to young opener Noah Kelly who made 40 before becoming one of five wickets for Harry Sullivan, the spinner finishing with 5-17 from 11 overs as the visitors were bowled out for 132. Luxton’s patient innings paid dividends and an unbroken stand of 57 with Daniel Ford (23no) secured the sides second victory of the season, enough to see them climb into the top half of the table. 

 

There was no play possible at Low Catton Road where Stamford Bridge were due to host Harrogate, and it was a frustrating afternoon for York who travelled to Scarborough in search of a first victory of the season only to find overnight rain had rendered the outfield unfit for play. 

 

Report by Kevin Hutchinson