Shadwell take the prize

posted by John Winn

Although the cricket ground at Bilton-in-Ainsty is only a fifteen drive from my house I had only made one previous visit before yesterday, Very much in The Vale of York here with York just a shade under ten miles away and the small ground looked a picture in pleasant sunshine. The playing  is rather squeezed into its perimeter and for most of its circumference there is only a foot to spare between the white line and the fence.

The attraction yesterday was the final of the Wetherby League Senior Cup with Shadwell and Kippax Welfare facing up. Kippax folded mid season in 2012 but reformed the following year and now stand top of Div 3 in the Saturday competition and in all probability will be back where they were in 2012 when next season begins. Both teams had brought good support with Kippax just about having the majority.

Play began spot on the appointed hour of 2:00 and got off to a frenetic start with a possible run out missed off the first delivery. Kippax were batting and adopted a vigorous approach which brought boundaries but no big partnerships and two wickets fell to run outs and two to outstanding catches in the deep. I texted a friend to say that I was concerned Welfare might not see out their twenty overs, a cardinal sin in this format, but in the event they were dismissed for 117 in the final over, about ten more than looked likely at one point.

Shadwell began their reply by losing
wickets and were soon 13 for 2, but a stand of over 70 calmed any nerves the Leeds' side might have had. Some excellent strokes found the rather pedestrian Kippax fielding wanting, catches went down, run outs were missed and The Rams coasted home with a couple of overs and 6 wickets to spare, worthy winners who had demonstrated superiority in all aspects of the game.

At the presentation, host club Bilton were rightly thanked for their efforts in contributing to an entertaining afternoon's cricket played in the right spirit. Nice to see the umpires thanked as well, congratulations Wetherby League.

In the Under 17 One Day Cup final played at Kibworth yesterday Surrey completed the double with a victory over Durham. Durham posted 237/9 and Surrey got home by two wickets having needed 12 off the last two overs.

In the Women's T20 Super League, the start of which Brian and I reported on three weeks ago, yesterday's final was won by Southern Vipers with a five wicket victory over Western Storm.

A very wet morning in the Lower Ure Valley but prospects much better for Scarborough tomorrow, see you there.