An interesting afternoon of league cricket.

 posted by John Winn

My first opportunity to see league cricket in 2022 without travelling too far took me on a familiar drive across the Ure to the village of Sessay a few miles south of Thirsk. The pandemic has restricted my visits to this attractive ground since 2019 but it looked as well maintained as ever when I arrived there on Saturday. As my picture shows the sky was blue and the sun shining but the stiff easterly breeze which has been a feature of the weather in the Lower Ure Valley for a few days now made sitting still a poor option. 

Visitors to Sessay were York based Clifton Alliance who were in the field. Arriving with about half an hour's cricket played I found  Sessay had lost a wicket but made good progress before Mark Jackson was caught and bowled at 65 for 2. This brought Afghani test player, Nasir Jamal, to the crease. He stayed just under an hour but might have been run out twice in the first few minutes between which two incidents he came close to running out his partner as well. Jamal soon revealed some wristy shots as he and Craig Ross added 58 for the fourth wicket. This was key in helping Sessay to total 196 for 9 off their fifty overs, a score 15 runs too much for Clifton who were all out for 181. Sessay's weekend was not all joy however for yesterday they were eliminated from the National Club Championship when they lost to County Durham outfit Hetton Lyons by six wickets. 

Taking the alternative route over the Aldwark toll bridge I came back 'over the water' to Great Ouseburn and the Lightmire Lane ground of Ouseburn CC. Relegated from Division One last year Ouseburn faced Thornton Watlass who in 2014 were playing in Division Five. Watlass were batting and had recovered from 80 for 8 to 130 for 9. Enter Jonty Moorhouse who with his first and only ball of the match had Ned Hillsborough brilliantly caught in the deep by Will Bennison for 75. 

The 131 target proved something of a breeze for OCC largely through the efforts of that man Bennison who hit 80 off 69 balls, fifteen fours and one six. Will is very much part of Yorkshire's plans but will be missing from his local side's line up for a few week while his school St Peter's York has first claims on his talents. With the runs knocked off in 26 overs the game was over by 6:00 but it had been good to see so many old friends undeterred by the easterly breeze. 

A somewhat chastened Thornton Watlass leave the field on Saturday