Champions humbled on opening day

Defending Hunters ECB Yorkshire Premier League North champions Sheriff Hutton Bridge slumped to an opening day defeat as Dunnington led by Dave Brent (5-14) dismissed them for just 86 at Common Lane. The home side, who won a curtailed competition last season, look to have carried over their form winning by six wickets. Tommy Hudson (37) was one of only two visiting batsmen to reach double figure, Jonathan Anderson taking 3-16 as ‘Bridge were bowled out inside 33 overs. Ben Harrison (3-36) took three wickets in reply but despite slipping to 63-4 the hosts eased to a comfortable victory. 

 

The two sides promoted at the end of 2019 met at The Green and hosts Acomb came out on top beating Driffield Town by four wickets, ending a run of 15 Premier League games without a win. William Wade (60) and his captain Matthew Dale (80) put on 142 for the first wicket after the home side had been set 224 to win. Jamie Greavson (4-57) picked up the wickets of both openers but an unbeaten half-century from Darcy O’Connor (52no) saw his side home. The former overseas signing had earlier taken three wickets when the visitors batted. Sam Drury (69) marked his return for ‘Town with 69 whilst Owen Goldsworthy and visiting skipper Grant Halder both made 33. 

 

An unbeaten century from opener Henry Thompson (137no) failed to prevent Harrogate losing to Castleford by 76 runs at St George’s Road. Liam Hyde (74) and recent signing Chesney Hughes (94) shared an opening stand worth 138 and Hughes added a further 74 for the third with former Derbyshire CCC team-mate David Wainwright (43). Connor Hyde also made 31 as the visitors scored a YPLN club record 317-9 the wickets shared equally between Dominic Bradburne (3-66), Ishan Abeysekara (3-110) and Cooper Smith (3-41). In reply both Jordan Sleightholme (28) and Isaac Light (27) made starts but six wickets from Jack Young (6-77) kept the visitors on top. 

 

Stamford Bridge maintained their record of never have lost an opening day match in the competition by winning at home to Clifton Alliance by 41 runs. A half-century on debut from Jack Timby (50) and 32 from Leeds/Bradford UCCE colleague James Keast helped the hosts reach 168 in tricky batting conditions. Scott Hopkinson marked his return to ‘Alliance colours in the competition with 3-34 and Thomas Brown (3-46) also took three wickets. Visiting opener Andrew Simpson score 57 before becoming one of three wickets for Keast (3-20) but the bowling honours went to Fletcher Coutts, the New Zealander marking his first appearance with 5-33. 

 

Woodhouse Grange beat York despite a stand of 116 between Duncan Snell (76) and Guy Darwin (85). The home side were unable to capitalize on the start as visiting skipper James Finch brought his side back in to the contest with 4-66 the hosts finishing on 245-9. Harry Gamble (50) and Christopher Bilton (64) both made half -centuries for the visitors before an unbroken sixth wicket stand of 63 between Tom Young (39no) and his captain brought victory with a couple of overs to spare. 

 

Scarborough had never beaten Yorkshire Academy in YPLN before the sides met at Weetwood but they ended that run in spectacular fashion winning by nine wickets having dismissed their opponents for 97. Former Yorkshire seamer James Wainman took two early wickets, but the real damage was done by Ben Elvidge who took four wickets for just 13 runs. Youngster Cian Dickinson a pre-season signing from the Greater Manchester League made an immediate impression scoring a composed half-century finishing unbeaten on 57 the visitors reaching their target with more than 23 overs to spare. 

 

Report by Kevin Hutchinson