West's top two suffer shock defeats

It was a day full of surprises in HUNTERS Y&DSCL DIVISION ONE WEST where the top two both lost for the first time this season and fifth placed Harrogate were the highest ranked winners. 

 

Leaders Easingwold lost to Harrogate by 119 runs meaning Knaresborough return to the top of the table despite suffering a first defeat of the season at the hands of visitors Carlton Towers. Openers Tom Collins (62) and Henry Bayston (45) provided Carlton with a strong start which was built upon by Josh Cruise (48) but after the latter was dismissed by Tashmial Henry (3-55) the hosts fought their way back into the contest Greg Pickles (3-45) helping to restrict the total to 214-9. For the home side Henry scored 41 from 38 balls and Kevin Owens (71) recorded his third half-century of the season but around the pair wickets fell, Robert Holah (3-42) the pick of the visitors attack the hosts loosing there last five wickets for 28 runs, to finish 30 runs short of their target. 

 

Third placed Dringhouses played out a thrilling draw at home to Thorp Arch & Boston Spa the sides separated by just 17 runs at the end of an absorbing contest. Nitikant Kasana (3-43) and Toby Wells (4-30) provided the visitors with the early advantage before the home side were able to fight back through Harry Watkinson (65) and Tom Storr (33) eventually reaching 177-9. Sam Smith top-scored in the visitors reply as they reached 160-7, whilst George Wilson (3-28) took at least three wickets in an innings for the fourth time this season. 

 

Bolton Percy brought Thirsk’s three match winning run to an abrupt end beating their hosts by 154 runs at the Racecourse Ground. Jacob Green scored 107 not out, batting the entire innings for the visitors during which he shared a stand of 187 with Thomas Malloch (91), the side reaching 273-3 from their 50 overs. The home sides reply began in dramatic fashion as they lost their first five wickets for just 10 runs and things scarcely improved Tom Anderson with 6-19 and Tom Atkinson 3-51 reducing them to 36-9. The last wicket pair of Tom Spence (31) and Dan Magee (42no) restored some pride putting on 83 so at least the total reached three figures. 

 

Heworth replace Bolton Percy at the foot of the table after they lost by four wickets at Sessay. The visitors struggled early in their innings Richard Till (3-34) taking two of his three wickets in the early stages. He also picked up the key wicket of Thomas Allan who top scored with 54 in a final total of 185. Alex Bell’s (3-59) three wickets gave the visitors an early advantage early in Bolton Percy’s reply, but their hopes were dashed by Christopher Till (45) and Ben Kettlewell (62no), the latter’s second consecutive half-century securing the points to move the hosts further away from the relegation places. 

 

Clifton Alliance won at home for the first time since the opening day of the season three wickets from Elliott Precious (3-30) helping them overcome Osbaldwick by 73 runs. Skipper John Gilham (56) lead the way with a half-century and Jamie Butt and Lewis Clark followed with scores of 41 and 31 respectively, the home side reaching 200 for 9, whilst Matthew Hattee was the pick of the visiting bowlers taking 3-59 including the wickets of Gilham and Clark. The Osbaldwick captain was also his sides leading run scorer with 28 but they lost wickets at regular intervals and could manage only 127 in reply. 

 

Driffield Town duo Jack Riley (121) and Jack Oakley (74no) shared a stand of 141 for the third wicket to set up a thrilling finish at Kings Mill Road in HUNTERS Y&DSCL DIVISION ONE EAST, the home side chasing down Hornsea’s 250-6 with just four balls to spare. Riley’s century, in his first appearance of the season, could not have come at a better time as ‘Town looked to maintain the pressure on the sides above them in the title race, he also shared an opening stand of 93 with skipper Kevin Woodcock (30). All that came in reply to bottom of the table Hornsea’s innings which also included a century Jonathan Fisher scoring 116 off 125 balls. There were two wickets each for Ollie Ezard (2-62) and Shivraj Sisodia (2-60), but this was a match for the batters. 

 

Title favourites Cottingham made it six straight wins as they won at Woodhouse Grange by five wickets. Jordan Yeomans (4-53) took four wickets as the home side were bowled out for 142, Jonty Atkinson top scoring for them with 44. The league leaders looked like they might struggle to maintain their winning run as they found themselves 21-3, Ryan Lockwood (2-31) capturing the wickets of both openers, but a partnership of 106 between James Berridge (42) and Daniel Furlong (66) got the innings back on track and although both were dismissed late on the result was already assured. 

 

Bridlington remain second but were unable to force a win despite declaring having scored 270-7 in 46 overs against Londesborough Park. Openers Sam Wragg (67) and Casey Rudd (94) set the tone with a partnership of 113 and despite missing out on a century Rudd added a further 85 with John Major (40). Joe Shingles (3-81) took three wickets before the batting side closed their innings early allowing more time to try and bowl out their opponents. They encountered stubborn resistance from James Beevers (46) and Tom Jennings (43) and despite a three-wicket burst from Simon Leeson (3-12) the visitors held firm, seventh wicket pair Charles Rook (38no) and Scott Hardwick (22no) securing a draw with an unbreakable stand of 60. 

 

Pocklington beat Beverley Town by nine wickets in one of two low scoring contests, Connaire Brattan produced the best bowling figures of the season for the home side taking 6-26 and Harry Collins (3-28) picked up his third three wicket haul as the visitors were bowled out for 68. It took the home side only nine overs to chase down their target, Howard Johnson (53no) hitting a quick-fire half-century. 

 

At Netherhall the Sutton-on-Hull trio of Rob Gainer (4-13), Abid Hussain (3-28) and Sam Graham (3-2) combined to devastating effect as Hull Zingari were dismissed for 45, seven of their batters out without scoring. Ryan Peck (23no) and Benjamin Graham (11no) then completed a comprehensive ten-wicket win to lift the home side out of the relegation places. 

 

Report by Kevin Hutchinson