Back in action

Posted by Tony Hutton

Good to be back in action again after almost a month's break due to a house move which has involved considerable downsizing of my cricket archives and a disconnected computer into the bargain.

However here we are again and I can start with day two of the Sanderson cup game between Lancashire under 19s and Yorkshire under 19s at Todmorden on 21st July.
Yorkshire batted on in the morning to total 349-8 declared which should have put the game out of reach. The Lancastrians had other ideas though and fine century from Brad Yates put them well into the chase. Wickets then fell and Yorkshire looked likely winners until an amazing ninth wicket partnership from Phelan 62 not out and Dotters 51 not out gave Lancashire victory by two wickets with only nine balls remaining.

 

Under 19s in action at Centre Vale, Todmorden

 

The following Saturday, 23rd July saw the Yorkshire Academy gain an eight point victory over Stamford Bridge at Weetwood. The Academy batted consisently but as is their wont without acceleration later on to make 253-5 with 84 from Harry Brook and 92 from Ben Ainsley. The visitors put up a good fight with Sinclair making 107 not out and as usual James Logan looking the best bowler with 4-39, as the Bridge finished on 194-8.

 

The following day the Academy were again in action at Weetwood against York in the Black Sheep Trophy semi final and as reported by Brian it proved an easy victory for the visitors who will now play Pudsey St Lawrence in the final at Sherrif Hutton Bridge on Sunday September 11th.

 

John Winn has reported on the Under 17s game between Lancashire and Yorkshire at Weetwood which ended in a draw due to rain and the following weekend I saw an exciting finish at Harrogate, where the premier league north leaders very nearly suffered a surprise home defeat to bottom club Dunnington. The visitors were in the game right to the end when the Harrogate last pair saw them home by one wicket.

 

Also caught up with Adel on Sunday 31st July, when they entertained Horsforth in the final of the Headingley T20 evening league. Horsforth had beaten North Leeds in the semi final that morning but made mincemeat of the Adel bowling attack notably through South African Ben Boshoff who made no less than 147 not out (with 12 fours and 8 sixes) in a total of 205-3 in 20 overs. Adel did make a game of it thanks to Mark Johnson's 44 getting them off to a quick start, but the later batsman could not maintain the momentum and Horsforth were winners by 23 runs. Reg Parker, veteran league cricketer and sage of Adel made the presentations to both teams.