A good start for Sessay.

posted by John Winn

Two years ago when the top tier of league cricket in Yorkshire assumed its present form I took myself off to the south west corner of York to see a game between Acomb, for whom it was their first game at this level, against  Harrogate. On Saturday I drove the fifteen or so miles to Sessay, newly promoted to this level and their opponents, you've guessed it, were Acomb. The league website suggested a late start but when I arrived the village side were already five down and on an understandably soft wicket and with the outfield slow after heavy rain on Friday, runs very hard to come by. A cautious stand took the score to 63 before the sixth wicket fell but the tail took a more aggressive approach and  number nine Christopher Till scored at better than a run a ball including a six hit towards the White Horse in the last over and the innings closed on 139 for 8. Not a great start but defendable seemed to be the view of the locals. 

A dry day had been forecast and such proved to be the case but the temperature was far removed from those we experienced last weekend and in the tea interval I brought my car into the field and settled for watching the rest of the game from behind glass. Acomb found runs even harder to come by,none of their top seven reached double figures, and not until the eighth over did the run rate creep above 1. Sessay's opening attack of Stuart Pierse and Tim Hall both kept an admirable line and only a 'beamer' from the latter which hit a helmet giving five penalty runs provided any relief. The bowlers were well supported in the field with Jacob Spencer snapping up a couple of slip catches and at 42 for 7 the chances of Acomb getting another 100 runs seemed very unlikely. Some resistance did come however with Schofield and O'Connor putting on 33 before Sri Lankan spinner Kavikara bowled O'Connor. A 'start the car' moment for me but I can barely have been out of the village before the innings was wrapped up for 79 and Sessay had their first win at this level under their belts.

Regular readers may recall previous reports I have made from Sessay mainly covering their village cup exploits, they have been to Lord's three times, and their promotion to Premier status means the second XI must represent them in this competition this season but the firsts have already tasted National KO success with a victory over Barnsley Woolley Miners last Sunday. Their reward for that success is a home tie with Chesterfield which will be played at Sessay on Sunday* and weather permitting will be my match of the day. For what it is worth the forecast for next weekend is for 18 degrees and sunny intervals. Could mean a first airing for the deck chair. 

 * I only have this date on the authority of a Sessay committee man and as yet can find no confirmation. I will seek further evidence and report on the blog.