Leaders humbled at York

Castleford are back on top of HUNTERS ECB YORKSHIRE PREMIER LEAGUE NORTH after they returned to winning ways with a 69-run victory over Stamford Bridge at Savile Park. Chesney Hughes featured in three half-century partnerships, including one for the fourth wicket alongside captain David Wainwright (32), before he was eventually dismissed for 74, one of four wickets for James Keast (4-50) the home side reaching 211-9. Matthew Rees (2-25) picked up the key wickets of Jack Timby and Benjamin Pearson early in the visitors reply paving the way for David Wainwright who took 6-32 as ‘Bridge were bowled out for 142. 

 

Acomb began the day as leaders, but such is the nature of this season’s competition a defeat at York, where they were bowled out for just 70, sees them drop to fifth place. Neil Laidlaw enjoyed a YPLN debut to remember taking 5-22 including the dangerous Darius D’Silva who top scored with 31. Skipper Matthew Dale (16) was the only other batter to reach double figures and he was dismissed by Tom Bates who bowled unchanged throughout the innings taking 3-18 from 13 overs. The home side lost a couple of wickets during the chase, but captain Duncan Snell ensured there was no real drama finishing unbeaten on 30 as his side coasted home inside 17 overs. 

 

Dunnington climbed above Woodhouse Grange into second place, last wicket pair Matt Beckett and Dave Brent steering them to a memorable victory at Sandhill Lane. Christopher Bilton (51) continued his early season form with a fifth half-century and alongside Harry Gamble (42) and Jarryd Basson (34) helped the hosts reach 218-6, the total boosted by an unbroken seventh wicket partnership of 54 between Tom Young and Stephen Burdett. The visitors slipped to 46-3, Young (3-29) with two of his three wickets, before Adam Sutcliffe (37) and George Drury (32) joined forces to get them back on track. Daniel Barrett struck a quick-fire 40 off 31 balls but when the ninth wicket fell eight runs were still needed for victory. 

 

Yorkshire Academy made it four wins from their last five matches with a convincing seven wicket win over bottom of the table Harrogate at St George’s Road. Openers Will Luxton (61) and Matthew Weston (37) shared a stand of 105 to set their side on the way to victory as they chased down the hosts total of 194-6, James Wharton finishing unbeaten on 37. Earlier in the day ‘gate captain Will Bates made 36 and both Harry Stothard (45) and Ollie Horberry (41) passed 40 but their efforts were not enough to challenge the visitors and prevent a fourth consecutive defeat. 

 

The closest finish of the day came at King’s Mill Road where Nicky Johnson was given out obstructing the field off the final ball as Driffield Town lost to Scarborough by one run. Breidyn Schaper who scored 81 the previous week against Castleford was again in the runs for the visitors this time making 86, opener Oliver Stephenson made 64 and James Wainman 34, but once the latter was out the visitors lost five wickets for 41 runs. Nicky Johnson took 3-53 to go alongside James Anson’s figures of 4-62 as the innings closed on 245-9. Teenager opener Noah Kelly scored 84 in reply and Owen Goldsworthy (51) scored a run-a-ball half-century to go alongside a similar effort from Danny Broumpton (50). When Kelly was out at the start of the 49th over 16 runs were still needed and despite a six off the penultimate ball the visitors held on. A small consolation for the hosts is the narrow margin of defeat earned them enough points to climb out of the relegation places. 

 

Driffield’s place in the bottom two is taken by Clifton Alliance who lost to a resurgent Sheriff Hutton Bridge by 66 runs at Moor Farm. Tommy Hudson (109) became the first ‘Bridge batter to post a century this season and his partnership of 119 with Robert Stevens (65no) came at a pivotal point in the match with their side on 111-5. Stevens saw out the innings which closed on 252-9 and when Freddie Collins (3-41) captured the wickets of the visitors top three the contest looked to be heading the way of the home side. Craig Nicoll struck a defiant unbeaten 40 but the target never looked threatened leaving Alliance with just one win from their first nine matches. 

 

Report by Kevin Hutchinson