By St George, a win for Harrogate

posted by John Winn

The Bank Holiday programme in the Yorkshire Premier gave me a choice of two games within easy driving distance; turn left for York or right for Harrogate. I opted for the latter and on a pleasant sunny afternoon, made my way to St George's Road where Sheffield Collegiate were the visitors. The crowd was sparse but it did swell by tea time. Harrogate were batting and despite the loss of opener Latham to the fifth ball of the day were making good progress at 125 for 1. Much of this was due to Australian Connor Ryan who had made 84 when he was lbw with the score at 132. That was about the height of it for 'Gate for largely thanks to Josh Varley who finished on 'Sunset Strip' with 7 for 77, there were no more big partnerships.  The tail had some life in it, however and the last three wickets added 66 with some big hitting.

Throughout the afternoon Collegiate had a problem with wides and towards the end of the innings  paceman Shutt was called three times in one over for errant legside deliveries. Responding to cries to bowl straight he duly did so for which trouble he was hoisted over long off by Sam Davies for the only six of the innings. The innings ended in the 54th over when Davies was well caught on the boundary from a shot that was destined to be another six.  252 all out, with 18 extras, 17 of which came from wides, seemed a good score.

Collegiate's reply soon faltered as the wicket showed much more devil than before tea. Russell White, bowling as though he had drunk something stronger than lemonade, and Sam Davies were the early wicket takers and although I left when there were only three down the excellent Total Cricket Scorer later told me that the South Yorkshire side had finished 101 short with three apiece for Geeson - Brown, White and Davies. After two rain affected matches the win pushes Harrogate up to fifth with Barnsley top of the table with three wins out of three.

Over at Clifton Park, York, after defeats to Barnsley and Rotherham managed their first win with a comfortable victory against the Academy.

Today's plan was  to travel to Richmond for the first day of a SEC match between Durham II and Notts II but after heavy overnight rain the signs are not promising. The rain has cleared the Lower Ure Valley however and there is hope of sunshine later. Wait and see is the watchword, let twitter be your guardian.