York get through

posted by John Winn

In yesterday's posting Brian described how rain intervened early in the second innings of the National KO semi final between hosts York and Bamford Fieldhouse. Tony Hutton and I  took shelter upstairs in the clubhouse and for a while it seemed very unlikely that there would be any more play and those we questioned could not say what would happen if no result were possible on the day.. Phone calls to our wives revealed that in Tony's case there had been rain in Leeds but it had now passed and in my case that there had been no rain just twelve miles west of Clifton Park.

After about an hour the rain stopped and almost immediately the sun shone brightly and warmly which assisted the drying process. The York players, with three of the Lancastrians back in the shed including the big scalp (and dyed it was pointed out by a York spectator) of former England man Chris Schofield who had been given out leg before (biter bit*), were very anxious that play should resume and they were busily involved in the removal of covers and drying the outfield. Play resumed shortly after six with Duckworth Lewis in operation and Bamford needing a trifle over five an over.

There followed the only substantial partnership of the innings between  Hegg (who did not keep wicket) and Stevens who added 45 for the fourth wicket but the introduction of the spin of York skipper Woods broke this stand immediately and from this point it seemed only a matter of time before York claimed victory. Hegg played a patient innings but hit only one four and his 27 came off 65 balls: a rate of progress never likely to see his side reach the final. He was eighth out at 97 and a few blows from number nine Baker brought the total to 120 when at 7:40 Woods took his sixth wicket to send York through to the final at Derby in three weeks time where they will meet Essex side Wanstead and Snaresbrook who beat Havant yesterday.

Devon Malcolm was on the ground to select  the man of the match but I did not stop to see who was chosen. My choice would have been Woods.His figures speak for themselves, 5.5 overs, 1 maiden ,6 for 14, he scored 17 useful runs and marshalled his fielders and bowlers splendidly. Tony and I were pleased that we had stayed to see a local side gain such a convincing victory.

* Three of his victims were LBW