DOMinant Rhodes makes triumphant return

 

A new chapter of the Hunters York & District Senior Cricket League began this week with the third tier divided along geographical lines into two divisions providing an extra opportunity for promotion up the league ladder in the form of an end of season play-off. 

 

In Division One East Dominic Rhodes marked the return to his local side Cottingham with a blistering performance, the former Hull and Stamford Bridge all-rounder scored 143 out of the sides total of 332-8 at Pocklington and then took 5-27 from ten overs as the visitors won by 267 runs, James Berridge also contributing 68 to the mammoth total. Nathan Saltmer (25) was one of only two batsmen to reach double figures as the home side were bowled out for just 65 in reply Joe Routh taking 3-26 to go alongside Rhodes’ match winning performance. 

 

The day’s outstanding bowling performance came at Southside where Ian Buss took 8-42 for Patrington as they beat Hornsea by 189 runs. The hosts made the perfect start with a stand of 114 between openers Connor McKinley (70) and Sam Fuller (41). Ashley McKinley kept up the scoring with 85 and a half-century at the back end of the innings from Daniel Fincham (50) left the visitors chasing 339 to win, that despite five wickets from Joe Butterworth (5-83) and Robert Mewburn’s 3-66. Hornsea were reduced to 55-5 in reply skipper Jonathan Fisher with 39 before they eventually reached 149 thanks largely to a seventh wicket partnership of 56 between Mark Brightmore (44) and Robert Mewburn (29no). 

 

Woodhouse Grange made a successful start to the season at home to Hull Zingari, another former YPLN all-rounder turning in a match-winning performance. This time it was Steve Burdett with an unbeaten 95 in the hosts total of 246-5 which included a half-century from Jonty Atkinson (58). Visiting openers Daniel Mould (61) and Martin Watkin (57) both passed 50 but the introduction of Burdett with the ball provided the turning point of the innings as he took five wickets for just 20 runs from 15 overs to secure a 34-run victory. 

 

Londesborough Park made the short trip up the road to Driffield Town but returned empty handed, despite and unbeaten half-century from Mark Tissiman (50no) they were bowled out for 133, Muhammad Hamza Khan (4-19) with two wickets at either end of the innings. The hosts reached their target inside 35 overs, Mark Tennant finishing unbeaten on 73. 

 

It was a similar story at Netherhall where Sutton-on-Hull were bowled out for 117 with six of the seven Bridlington bowlers used taking wickets. Russell Robinson, a Premier League title winner with Sheriff Hutton Bridge in 2019, scored 54 off just 34 balls, as the visitors needed only 18.5 overs to reach their target with three wickets down. 

 

There was little to choose between the sides at North Marine Road where Beverley Town held off Scarborough’s challenge. A strong showing from the visitors’ top order included 67 from Bradley Graham with Oliver Grantham (38) and Adam Pashby (33) putting their side on top before the home side struck back through Adam Hargreaves who finished with 5-24 'Town all out for 226. Hargreaves then made 42 and Edward Hopper 45 but despite Romario Brathwaite’s quick -fire 53 off just 22 balls the hosts had to settle for a share of the points closing on 204-8 which included three wickets for Matthew Saint (3-45). 

 

The game of day in Division One West, on paper at least, should have been at Aspin Lane where Harrogate where the visitors to take on Knaresborough both sides having narrowly missed promotion in 2019, but it turned out to be a one-sided affair won easily by the hosts. Tashmial Henry took 4-53 as the visitors were bowled out for 218 despite all but the final pair reaching double figures among them Will Topham (44) and Sanjay Mani (33). It was a very different story when the hosts batted after Ashley Griffin removed both openers Kevin Owens (75no) and Dave Girling (101no) took centre stage a partnership of 179 securing and eight wicket win. 

 

Osbaldwick all-rounder Matthew Hattee finished on the losing side despite taking 4-45 and scoring 79 as visitors Thorp Arch & Boston Spa won a tight contest by 11 runs. George Gibson (57) and Oliver Riley (66) shared a third wicket partnership of 107 as TABS reached 230-8. Nitikant Kasana (4-55) took the first four wickets as Osbaldwick slipped to 64-4 and despite a recovery led by Hattee they fell just short. 

 

Easingwold trio Zak Wilson (3-36), Tom Quinn (3-43) and Josh Sargent (3-19) each began the season with three wickets as Sessay were bowled out for 146 at Back Lane, Ben Kettlewell (34) and Tom Sowerby (31no) both passed 30 and after three early wickets from James Easton (3-20) helped reduce the hosts to 23-4 it looked like that total might be enough, but Paul Skilbeck (31) and Sean Dixon (40) were able to rescue the innings set up an eventual three wicket win. 

 

By far the highest scoring game of the day came at Thirsk where Harry Collinson top scored for the home side with 187 as they piled up 352-8 against Heworth, he and Tom Scott (65) adding 175 for the third wicket before Scott became one of four wickets for Jacob Newman (4-57). The visitors responded through Jack Wilkinson who made 56 at the top of the order then Guy Wilkinson (65) and skipper Chris Barrett (69) also made half-centuries both succumbing to Joshua Neilson who claimed 3-22 from a final total of 269-8 as the contest ended in a draw. 

 

The honours were also shared at Dringhouses where Carlton Towers were unable to capture the hosts final wicket to claim victory. A century for Mark Holmes (106) alongside contributions from both Mark Spetch (67) and Robert Holah (41) got the visitors to 268-6. In reply the hosts scored 199-9 Paul Milner top scoring with 87 before the last wicket pair of Max Thomas and Theo Walton hung on to frustrate the visitors. 

 

An unbroke 170-run second wicket partnership between David Taylor (82no) and his captain Simon Williams (54no) meant Clifton Alliance were able to record a nine wicket win over Bolton Percy. Earlier in the day Elliott Precious took 6-50 from 15 overs as the visitors were bowled out for 200, Tom Atkinson’s 46 the highlight.