Thompson century a boost for Harrogate

A second century of the campaign from Henry Thompson (130) inspired Harrogate to only their second win of the season but it was enough to see them replaced at the foot of the table by Driffield Town who they beat by 73 runs at St George’s Road. The opener shared a stand of 117 with Harry Allinson (46), another of the players released to play by the Academy. That set the platform for an impressive total of 265 for five, four of which were taken by Sam Drury who finished with 4-56 for 13 overs, who then led the way as the visitors replied to top scoring with 41, before becoming one of three wickets for Dominic Bradburne (3-53), Ishan Abeysekara (4-50) took his tally for the season to 27 and there were also two wickets on debut for former Scarborough bowler Mathew Pillans. 

 

Castleford remain in charge of the tile race in Hunters ECB Yorkshire Premier League North but were forced to work hard for their latest victory beating York at Clifton Park by three runs. The visitors benefitted from the inclusion of Alex Kaye who was released to play by Yorkshire Academy, as they remain unable to compete in the competition due to Covid restrictions. The wicket-keeper batter scored a half-century and put on 97 for the second wicket with Brayden Clark (46) to give their side a commanding start. Simon Lambert picked up the wickets of both batters and Tom Forsdike took 3-35 but runs from David Wainwright (31) and Edward Cole (30) down the order helped the side reach 210-7. Finlay Bean top scored for the home side making 72 but the hosts slipped from 170-4 to 177-9 Eddie Morrison (3-24) and David Wainwright (3-43) both taking three wickets. Last wicket pair Clarke Doughney (15no) and Tom Forsdike (13no) brought their side close putting on 30 but in the end just fell short. This was the second close finish between the two with just one separating them in the reverse fixture back in May, Castleford winning on that occasion too. 

 

Continuing restrictions around the county side meant the battle of the teams occupying second and third place in the table, Yorkshire Academy and Woodhouse Grange, was unable to take place. 

 

Scarborough have moved up to fourth with a convincing win over Stamford Bridge, a side they had lost to on the five previous occasions leading into the game at Low Catton Road. Back-to-back half-centuries from their captain Pat Roberts (60) and a 68-run stand for the seventh wicket alongside Joe Davies (56no) helped their side get to 203-8. The home side never really got going James Wainman taking 3-34 and Ben Elvidge taking two wickets, the first of which saw the spinner pass 150 in his YPLN career. James Keast (28) was one of only two batters to reach 20 as the hosts were dismissed for 117. 

 

Sheriff Hutton Bridge recovered from being 6-2 to beat Acomb by seven wickets, Mark Fisher (52no) and Dulash Udayanga (51) both making half-centuries and adding 76 for the third wicket in reply to the hosts 138-6 in a rain effected game. Fisher (2-21) also took two wickets, but it was Ben Harrison (2-30) who captured they key wicket of Joe Schofield who top scored for the hosts with a patient 57 in difficult batting conditions. A third straight defeat for the team from The Green has seen them drop from third to fifth whilst ‘Bridge who spent the early part of the season in and around the relegation places have now climbed to the relative comfort of mid-table. 

 

A combination of Samuel Grant (3-35) and David Friend (3-36) condemned Dunnington a fourth straight defeat as they were bowled out for 129 to lose by 57 at home to Clifton Alliance. That was despite the efforts of Luke Kilby who scored 76, to go alongside the 79 he made against the same opponents earlier in the season. Earlier in the day Craig Nicoll finished 40 not out for the visitors in an innings which saw most of the top order reach 20 without then going on to make a more telling contribution, with wickets falling at regular intervals. Consecutive victories means Alliance will spend only their third week outside the relegation places since the start of the campaign. 

 

Report by Kevin Hutchinson