Drury century gives Driffield hope

On a day of low scores, in Hunters ECB Yorkshire Premier League North, the exception came at Clifton Park where Driffield Town scored 297-6 and then hung on as York came within four runs of chasing down an adjusted target of 276 after rain had intervened. An eleventh career century in the competition from Sam Drury (112) could hardly have come at a better time with the visitors fighting for their premier league lives, and his opening partnership of 151 alongside young Noah Kelly (74) set the stage for a Bank Holiday run-fest. Tom Forsdike (3-68) did his best to stem the scoring with three wickets, but Drury added a further 73 late on with Jack Oakley (33). York captain Ryan McKendry continued his good form of late making 72, stands of 64 with Simon Lambert (37) and 84 with Finlay Bean keeping the contest close and a partnership of 100 between Bean who was eventually dismissed for 88 and Alex Collins (45no) set up a thrilling finale. 

 

Newly crowned champions Castleford stamped their authority on the division by bowling out their nearest challengers, Woodhouse Grange, for 56 to complete a 94-runs victory at Sandhill Lane. Matthew Rees produced his YPLN best figures taking 5-26, the other five wickets shared between Eddie Morrison (3-14) and David Wainwright (2-15), the trio taking just 24.3 overs to bowl out their hosts. That was in reply to a total of 150 which owed much to a stand of 74 for the second wicket between Brayden Clark (30) and Connor Hyde (43), after which the bowlers dominated ‘Grange captain James Finch the pick of the attack finishing with 4-35. 

 

Sheriff Hutton Bridge moved up to second in the table after they won at Harrogate, the hosts losing their last six wickets in the space of 21 runs meaning they missed the opportunity to extricate themselves from the relegation battle. Openers Adam Fisher (44) and Tommy Hudson (48) provided their side with an excellent start putting on 90 but those that followed struggled. Ishan Abeysekara (3-31) captured the wickets of both openers as part of a three-wicket haul helping to restrict the visitors to 178-7 in a contest reduced to 42 overs. The home side looked in control whilst Henry Thompson (40) and captain William Bates (52) were at the wicket but once the former was dismissed the skipper was unable to find much support, Ben Harrison finishing with 3-47 as the side were bowled out for 149. 

 

Scarborough’s opener Oliver Stephenson (57no) scored a match-winning half century as his side won at Dunnington by six wickets. Harry Rinke (4-24) and James Wainman (3-29) shared seven wickets as the home side were bowled out for 118, Dave Brent (22no) and Jonathan Anderson (23) offering some late resistance after their side had been 72-8. A partnership of 68 between Stephenson and Duncan Brown (37) got the visitors more than half-way to the target and despite losing three wickets for nine runs late on the result was never really in doubt. 

 

Clifton Alliance guaranteed themselves a top five finish with victory at Acomb in their final match of the season. The hosts slumped from 58-1 to 120 all out with Scott Hopkinson doing much of the damage late on with 4-14 from 7.2 overs. The visitors found themselves 29-4 in reply but a partnership of 83 between Andrew Whaits (34) and Samuel Grant (51) turned a potentially tricky chase into a straightforward victory. 

 

Report by Kevin Hutchinson