It's a Family Affair

 posted by John Winn

After overnight rain Saturday dawned fine and all sixteen playoff matches in The Nidderdale League went ahead untroubled by weather. I took myself to the west side of Harrogate to the village of Hampsthwaite and a ground I had not visited since 2013. I arrived in time to see the players take the field and as the afternoon went on was joined by a goodly contingent drawn from Ouseburn CC members and supporters, keen to see if their young second XI could progress to the final.

Hampsthwaite CC

Hampsthwaite batted first and progress was slow against Ouseburn's opening attack of Jonathan Webb and Will Jenkins, Webb in particular impressed with his accuracy, his final figures were 10-4-11-1, and he got the first scalp, that of Richard Barratt who was caught and bowled. When Jenkins backed him up with two quick wickets Hampsthwaite were 25 for 3 off 12 overs. Ouseburn's fielders were very much on their toes and their exhortations rather grated on this septuagenarian. Does the simplest piece of fielding have to be greeted as though the exponent was on par with Jonty Rhodes? 'Jonty who?'  they would probably ask. 

The innings rallied a little only to be cut short by two quick wickets, Antony Johnson the victim of a fine catch by Josh Bennison and George Beeley caught and bowled by Moorhouse jnr. With the last five wickets going down for just 12 runs the innings closed on 99 all out with Jenkins and Moorhouse taking three wickets each. The view from the boundary was that given a decent start, 100 was well within Ouseburn's compass.

And a decent start was just what they got with Will Bennison and Tim Smith adding 46 for the first wicket until Smith was dismissed for 24. Will, Bennison major, was joined by Josh, Bennison minor but not for long because Major ran out Minor to cause a slight wobble at 49 for 2. That was the last wicket to fall however as Josh and James Brading saw their side home with plenty of overs to spare and skipper John Moorhouse confident enough to appear in mufti before the final runs were scored. John can feel rightly proud of his young team of which seven players are provided by just three families, Moorhouse (2), Jenkins (2) and Bennison (3). 

The full list of final matches is as follows: wickets pitched 12:30

Division 1 Darley v Helperby

Division 2 Masham v Thornton Watlass

Division 3 Upper Wharfedale v Arthington 

Division 4 Markington v Ouseburn II

Division 5 Pannal II v Studley Royal III

Division 6 Marton cum Grafton v  Kirkby Malzeard

Division 7 Middleham II v Pannal Ash 

Division 8 Arthington II v  Walton Park II 

So 15 clubs have something to play for at the end of  this strange season and The Nidderdale League committee can give itself a pat on a back for devising a scheme that has given every team at least 8 matches and whilst there is no promotion or relegation at stake Saturday's winners will no doubt celebrate mightily.