The YG’s maintain their 100 per cent record to the start of the rescheduled season with two impressive wins.
YG’s team (with mascots) against the Halifax Nomads
For the first August match last Sunday the YG’s welcomed the Halifax Nomads. Batting first on a sunny yet breezy afternoon, the YG’s opened with David and Charlie O’Kelly, playing their first match together this season. It wasn’t to be their day, but with some superb batting from Will Shaw (41) , Salman Syed( 63), and a fine knock by Hugo Adams (74), the home side amassed 256 for 6 off the allotted 40 overs. With the wicket playing well and a superbly maintained outfield the batters got full reward for their shots.
A run rate of over 6 was always going to be tough, but the Nomads got off to a flying start racing to 85 for the first wicket. Following the breaking of that partnership the Nomads ran out of steam. Good tight bowling especially from Syed 1-11 off 5 overs, AJ Clark, 1-9 off 5, and the charismatic Phill Holland with 3-10 from 5, kept the opposition in check.
They finished well short of the target on 155 for 9 off their 40 overs.
Tuesday’s encounter with the Forty Club, saw the YG’s most keenly fought match to date. The Forty Club opted to bat first on a cool windy overcast day and made a solid start, with YG and Forty Club member Richard Musgrave making 33. They continued to bat well and finished with a competitive 191-6 off their allotted overs.
The YG’s were tidy with the pick of the being AJ Clarke with an economical 8-1 off 7 overs.
Debutant Matt Smith in action against the Forty Club
In reply the YG’s lost David O’Kelly early, but a fine stand by Jason Dale (51) and Jack Rowett (68) put the YG’s in a strong position going into the last 20 overs.
Matt Smith on debut played well for his 27 in spite of a hamstring pull requiring him to have a runner (well done Jack for scampering between the wickets).
However good tight bowling from the Forty Club saw the YG’s need 25 from the last three overs. In the gathering gloom in comes A.J and promptly turns the game with a crashing four and a couple of huge sixes. His 18 off 7 balls and Ryan Lockwood’s 14 off 12 balls saw the YG’s home with 5 balls to spare.
A terrific game of cricket played in a great spirit. Thank-you Forty Club for visiting. We look forward to welcoming you back.
Plenty of work has been done at the clubhouse of late with special note to Geoff Wellsteed, one of the YG umpires, coming down in his spare time to weed, tidy and paint chairs. It has been much appreciated.
Indeed Nigel Bartram and his team must be commended for all the hard work in preparing the wicket and ground this season. Escrick is looking great and playing well. Thank-you
Geoff Wellsteed
The YG’s host Woodhouse Grange Academy this Sunday. Will the 100 per cent record be maintained?