Two centurions at Weetwood

 Posted by Tony Hutton

Thursday 26th May saw MCC playing Leeds/Bradford University at Weetwood, Leeds in one of the large number of out matches played by the club every season against schools, universities and clubs throughout the country. The MCC side is usually made up of local club cricketers, but this season the side included two notable Australians and several players from the south of England, of which two were former players for the University side. Unfortunately the wet morning weather reduced the game from fifty overs a side to forty, then a further shower reduced it further to 34 overs a side.

The windswept scene at Weetwood.

Nevertheless, when the strong winds took the rain clouds away, it produced a fine sunny early evening in which the game came to a thrilling last over conclusion. MCC in time honoured tradition batted first. One of the opening batters (!) soon impressed and my enquiries discovered that this was William Bosisto, an Australian currently playing for Todmorden in the Lancashire League. Further research revealed that he had played first class cricket for both Western Australia and South Australia and had indeed captained the Australian under 19s in the 2012 World Cup.

So quite a pedigree and Bosisto dominated the MCC innings throughout. After a century for Todmorden last weekend he did even better, being not out 161 at the end of the innings, hitting eighteen fours and three sixes. Runs came thick and fast, with no maiden overs during the whole game. The next highest scores were just 21 and 20 from two players from Cheshire, in Alex Money and Sam Perry. The latter is currently captain of Durham University and recently scored a century for MCC against his own side.

Bosisto reaches his century.

The other Australian in the side was Patrick Rowe, currently playing for Banstead cricket club in Surrey. He scored 213 not out for them in a recent cup game, but made only four today, when a mid-innings collapse took the score from 154-1 to 171-4. Rowe is another Australian under 19 player as batsman/wicketkeeper, but did not keep today as this was done by Rob Peyton from South Northumberland.

Tom Rash, a veteran Suffolk Minor Counties player, captained the MCC side, which also included former University players Joe Ellis-Grewall, captain of Wanstead in Essex, and Alex MacQueen, once of Surrey seconds, now playing with North Middlesex. Rash made a brief appearance but the other two were not required to bat as Bosisto continued to dominate proceedings, taking the final score to 250-5 in 34 overs. Two wickets each for Ibtesam Ul Haq, son of Inzamam, and for Joe Pocklington the left arm spinner from Sussex, now appearing in the Bradford League.

Will Bosisto applauded into the pavilion.

  

The light roller into action between innings.

When the University batted they lost skipper Nick Keast early on, but thereafter a partnership of 155 between Henry Dobson and Sam Dorsey swung the game very much the home side's way. Sam Dorsey is a Lancastrian and has played for Lancashire seconds in the past, whereas Henry Dobson is yet another cricketer from Cheshire. Apparently this was his first appearance for the University this season, having been injured. He certainly took full advantage and became the game's second centurion with a commanding innings of 122 in just 90 balls, containing nineteen fours.

Dobson reaches his century.

Henry Dobson.

Dorsey gave him good support with an innings of 66, but when they were both out, and closely followed by Tom Keast, the game still had to be won. After a hesitant start, the pairing of Ibtesam Ul Haq and Hishaam Khan, who was to play for Yorkshire seconds the following day, settled things down and seemed to have reached the Duckworth/Lewis target shown  on the scoreboard of 254 with one over remaining. After some confusion the umpires decided one more run was required. However, the game ended in anti-climax as Bosisto bowled a wide with the first ball of the last over.

Leeds/Bradford University in the run chase.

So a memorable game of cricket which rewarded the handful of spectators who waited through the rain breaks and were able to enjoy an eventful days cricket with some interesting players, many of whom we were seeing for the first time. Many thanks are due to the University scorer Steve Ward, who kindly sent me the immaculate full scorecard of the match. He also advised that Leeds/Bradford have reached the semi-final stage of the BUCS competition and will be away to Durham University on Monday 30th May. Anybody in the vicinity of the Racecourse Ground should get a good day's entertainment.