Down to the wire

posted by John Winn

The talk in the queue of members waiting for the gates to open at North Marine Road yesterday morning was of 'declarations', 'targets' and 'calculations' and to my surprise the feeling was that Yorkshire, after two blank days would declare at Tuesday's overnight score of 61 for 2 and Gale would have reached an agreement with Marshall to feed Gloucestershire runs and then chase something like 350 to win the game.

I had not expected any of this having been whisked away from the Lower Ure Valley by my neighbour John Gawthrope at 7:30 and as we  travelled up the A64 we both felt that Yorkshire would bat in the hope of getting four or five batting points, by which time the game would be dead and would then fizzle away allowing an early start for home, if we wished. We should have known better, the soothsayers in the queue were right, Yorkshire did declare and Gloucestershire's openers, Nicol and Howell proceed to hit 159 off ten overs of mid range donkey drops from Gale and Lyth. Whether being chosen to purvey this kind of stuff is an honour or punishment remains unclear, perhaps Gale was just doing the decent thing by conceding 71 off his 5 overs and perhaps Lyth drew the short straw when it came to finding someone else who could bowl so badly. Whatever the case the crowd watched largely in silence except one or two who objected strongly to this contrived cricket. One gentleman arriving late expressed his opposition strongly as he walked in front of the pavilion, when it was over he returned to repeat his complaint saying that if he were a Hampshire supporter he would 'write in', to whom he did not say. If his opinion is widely shared amongst Hampshire members there will be a run on green ink in that county this weekend.

The end of the Gloucestershire innings  took most of us by surprise for it left Yorkshire needing 314 off 84 overs, the word 'generous' was on many lips and Root and Lyth started in confident fashion but just when it seemed they would see us safely through to the freshly dressed crab salad and pinot grigio Lyth, who looked a distinctly better bat than bowler, pulled one to Norwell at mid-on and we lunched at 82 for 1.

Yorkshire made steady progress through the afternoon never letting the run rate get too high while the young Gloucestershire side fought hard to make their declaration competitive. Each Yorkshire wicket made a useful contribution to the score without taking the game beyond Gloucestershire's reach. When Rashid was out at 267 for 7 spots of rain were in the air and the sunshine which we had enjoyed all day disappeared and there was a noticeable drop in temperature. The light faded and a  Hitchcockian suspense built up as the gulls circled overhead, but through all this McGrath was playing an innings of class. When he was joined by Rafiq 47 were need in just under 10 overs and together this pair saw us to within a whisker of victory. Gloucestershire's final throw was to take the new ball (look for it on ebay, one cricket ball hardly used....), and when Rafiq skied one to cover only two were needed. The batsmen had crossed and the incoming Patterson did not have to face as the magnificent Mags hit the winning runs and the players left the field to a rapturous reception. The intimacy of Scarborough allows a contact with the players rarely found on other grounds and it was good to be able to say 'well played' to the Bristol men as they went into their dressing rooms for without them, those who stayed, and there were many, would not have had such an afternoon and evening to remember.

The 19 points Yorkshire took put them just above Kent in the table with Hampshire lying a close fourth. The three promotion chasers are separated by just six points, each with just two games to play.
It seemed cruel that Gloucestershire should take only one point which leaves them at the foot of the table, one point behind Glamorgan. Yorkshire can show thanks for yesterday's declaration when they take on the Dragons  at Headingley on Tuesday. The forecast is good, so pack the sun cream and if you are in the appropriate age group bring along the Phyllosan, for we know what that does for those of a certain age. If you aren't that old, come along anyway, it will be fun!

Finally as promised, but a day late, Cumberland won the MCCA KO final when they defeated Wiltshire by 7 wickets in the rain delayed game on Thursday. Wiltshire added 42 to their overnight score and were all out for 184. Cumberland reached the target in 32.4 overs to claim their first one day title since 1989.