Excellent start for Yorkshire Academy

Posted by Tony Hutton

The faithful few who follow the fortunes of the Yorkshire Academy were all well in place for the start of the new season with a friendly game against Woodhouse Grange at the Leeds University ground, Weetwood. The weather was perfect, with a clear blue sky and a complete absence of the normally ever present Weetwood wind. In fact it became so warm by mid-afternoon that some spectators had to retreat into the shade of the pavilion.

The newly appointed Academy captain, Tom Loten - all six foot seven of him, lost the toss and the visitors decided to field first. One of this season's newcomers Will Luxton, from Bradford Grammar School and Steeton cricket club, opened the batting with James Wharton, who did so well last year.
Unfortunately Luxton did not last long falling lbw to Tom Young for just one. Wharton made a steady 26 before being caught off spinner Jackson. So at 45-2 skipper Loten, who has already been in good form in practice games, came to the wicket to join wicket keeper Harry Duke.

Loten on strike, with Ramkumar at the other end.

This partnership came to an unfortunate end when due to a misunderstanding they collided in mid-wicket and Duke was run out by some distance for just 20. This brought to the wicket Arjun Ramkumar, from Adel cricket club, who played a few games last season as well as for Yorkshire under 17s. Today he batted as we had not seen him before, with a splendid confident innings that really took the game away from Woodhouse Grange. In partnership with Loten they put on 125 runs before an impetuous reverse sweep cost Ramkumar his wicket, bowled by James Finch for 81.

Loten on the way to his century.

Loten, who had been the quieter of the two, now took control, despite losing Bean and Revis very quickly. Harry Harding stayed with him to the end of the innings when a sudden burst from Loten managed to take him to a well deserved century in the last of the fifty overs. Yorkshire finished with a very useful total of 274-6.

Loten applauded from the field on 104 not out.

Woodhouse Grange never really threatened the Academy total despite useful cameos from Andrew and Chris Bilton. Skipper James Finch, a former Academy player in the past, top scored with 37 closely followed by Simon Tennant with 37. Another newcomer to the Academy ranks Edward Booth finished off the tail with figures of 3-41 and there were two wickets each for Mukerjee, Loten and Harding. Woodhouse Grange all out 206 with eleven overs to spare. A nice start for the youngsters but sterner opposition comes next week with the opening Yorkshire League North game at Harrogate.