Plans for Sunday 23rd April changed quite rapidly. Originally Trent Bridge was the favoured destination, but Sussex laid down and died in two days so that was a non-starter. There were several games in the National club knock out including Scarborough versus Benwell Hill from the North East, but reports of recent weekend traffic chaos on the A64 ruled that one out. So we decided on another club knock out game a bit closer to home and not far from yesterday's trip. Sheriff Hutton Bridge, a few miles north of York, were taking on Richmondshire also from North Yorkshire with two strong looking sides.
New season and new pavilion extension at SHB.
The visitors batted first and opened with Gary Pratt, once of Durham, now captain of Cumberland Minor Counties. He opened with wicketkeeper Mike Layfield, who set about the bowling from the start in a pinch hitter role. He hit five fours in just eighteen balls before he was caught for 25. He had outscored his partner at that point but as soon as he was out Pratt took control. He straight drove left arm spinner Carver for two sixes and ended his first spell after just three overs. Batsmen came and went but Pratt dominated proceedings for almost the rest of the innings.
Gary Pratt starts to dominate the scoring and below in full flow.
The Richmondshire skipper scored a splendid 121, which included two sixes and ten fours before he was out to a stunning low, diving catch by Yorkshire's Karl Carver. The score then was 238-6 and the visitors eventually ended their forty five overs with a good total of 251-8. The home side took several excellent catches but also managed to drop a couple of easier ones.
Gary Pratt goes to his century and eventually departs for 121.
The Bridge did not start their reply too well, losing two wickets early on and falling quite a bit behind the scoring rate. Opener Mark Fisher, brother of Yorkshire's Matthew, held things together well with a sound innings of 60, but when he was out at 145-4 they were well behind the required rate. Enter a recent newcomer to the club, none other that Oliver Grayson, son of Paul now coaching Durham University and Yorkshire Ladies. Oliver is studying at Leeds University and made his debut for the Bridge yesterday.
Olly Grayson
Karl Carver
He played a match winning innings of 67, watched by proud grandad Adrian, and in partnership with Karl Carver put on ninety runs in very quick time. Carver became the six hitting hero as he raced to fifty off just thirty four balls and Bridge were very much back in the game. When both were out with the target almost achieved it was left to the two tailenders Russell Robinson and wicketkeeper Ben Gill to keep their cool with seven to win off the last two balls of the match. Gill finished the game in style with a four and a two to bring the scores level. Sheriff Hutton Bridge go through to the next round as they lost one fewer wicket. What a game - roll on the next round in three weeks time when the Bridge will face South Northumberland away.
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