Another easy win for Yorkshire Academy

Posted by Tony Hutton

There was some concern when the Yorkshire Premier League split into two sections, North and South, that this might lead to a lowering of standards. Although quite understandable from a logistical point of view by avoiding long distance travel, it does appear that there are some rather below standard teams in the bottom half of both leagues.

The Yorkshire Academy, who are a very young side this season, have had two very easy victories in the last two matches. Last week they scored 217-8 against bottom club Acomb and then bowled them out for 108. Yesterday's game, again at home, against Scarborough produced an even more one sided affair. The weather conditions had changed dramatically after weeks of heatwave conditions which has produced a very brown outfield, probably not seen since back in 1976. Rain showers and an almost gale force wind across Weetwood's open spaces made conditions very difficult indeed.

The Academy, with an unchanged side, batted first and despite losing Wharton and Hill, both to Jonathan Anderson early on, scored steadily with runs from Revis, Loten, and Birkhead taking the score to 158-6. Then a fine partnership between opening bowlers Barnes and Taylor put on 75 to take the game away from Scarborough. Barnes finishing on 51 not out and Taylor making 36.
After rain delays the innings ended on 46 overs at 242-7.

In reply in the blustering conditions with rain always threatening Scarborough capitulated with two early wickets for both Barnes and Taylor reducing them to 28-4. Then it was the turn of last week's bowling hero left arm spinner Harry Sullivan, who took 5-32 against Acomb. This time he destroyed the middle order with figures of 6-4-4-4. A splendid performance but we must question the strength of the opposition before jumping to conclusions. Certainly both Sullivan brothers look exciting prospects for the future, but need to be tested against stronger opponents.

Scarborough only batted for half their allotted overs and were very disappointingly all out for just 64.
Only one player, former Academy wicket keeper Jonathan Read, reached double figures and there were eleven extras.