It's a knockout

posted by John Winn

Last year I tried to keep blog readers informed of the progress of the ECB National Club Championship competition, and yesterday saw the Preliminary Round stage which had been added this year due to the high level of entries. 38 teams were competing for a place in the first round. Driving the ten miles or so from my home to Easingwold the car thermometer showed temperatures not reached since last September but a strong wind and occasional spots of rain meant that the deck chair stayed in the boot. Last season Easingwold finished eighth in the premier division of the York Senior League and yesterday faced opposition from division two of the Nidderdale League, a contest one expected  the hosts to win.

Having parked  in a  street adjacent to the well appointed ground as  I walked through a snicket from which it is possible to gain access a loud appeal was  heard and having missed the first ball meant I had missed the first wicket:  Easingwold skipper Martin Piercy caught behind for 0. Such was the strength of the wind the sightscreens had been tethered to heavier objects to prevent them blowing over and although it was not cold neither was it pleasant to sit outside and I settled for the shelter of the excellent club house. Easingwold soon  lost two more wickets and at 24 for 3 it looked as though Forest might spring a surprise but that was as good as it got for the visitors. A partnership of 73 between big hitter Paul Skilbeck and anchor man Jonathan Marwood tilted the balance of the game and with Marwood unbeaten at the end of the forty five overs on 87 Easingwold's innings closed on 231 for 7 and the body language of the KFCC players as they left the field suggested that they did not fancy their chances. The Nidderdale outfit had not helped their cause by conceding 33 extras, 25 of which were wides and as one of their players ruefully remarked they had given Easingwold four extra overs. He might have added 'which they probably did not need'.

Forest too lost an early wicket, Horsman out for 6 but with left handed opener Matthew Parker striking some nice offside shots when I left with the score at 20 for 1 it looked as though Forest might make a decent reply. Had I stayed another half hour or so however, I would have seen nine wickets fall, only two batsmen reach double figures and KFCC all out for 42 and a crushing victory for Easingwold by 189 runs. A knockout indeed. Easingwold are at home again in the first round on April 28th, but will face far more formidable opposition when Chester le Street travel down from County Durham. The Cestrians finished third in the North East Premier League Division  1 in 2012 and will start firm favourites.

This competition, like most other cricket was badly disrupted by the weather last season and it is pleasing therefore to record that all yesterday's preliminary matches were completed albeit with one as the result of Swansea club, Gowerton CC conceding their match against Hatherley and Reddings.