Sheffield University staff visited Escrick Park in a game which went down to the final ball of the game. The Yorkshire Gentlemen managed by Jeremy Phillips were captained by Jason Dale on the field.
David O'Kelly and new member Callum Puttock opened the batting together, Puttock hit a flat six in a short but sweet innings and David was ran out for the third time in 6 games as the gents got off to a sluggish start. It was a warm day but with the huge amount of rain from Saturday and cloudy overhead conditions runs were not easy to score quickly. Joe Biggs (39) and Jason Dale looked to rebuild, the captain fell with the score on 52. New man Oli Arikichenin struggled to rotate strike but was able to occupy the crease alongside Biggs to take the score to 85. This brought in Salman Syed (38) who similarly to the previous week brought some impetus the the innings and shared a useful 68 run partnership. The innings ended on 158 for 6. Match manager Jeremy Phillips was satisfied with the total but would have liked another 12 runs to feel confident his side could bring home victory.
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Tight opening spells from Bindloss and Holland ensured SUS got off to a slow start. Dale was immediately rewarded with his first bowling change as Pradeep struck in his first over and in his third bowled a wicket maiden. Puttock claimed his maiden wicket for the club and then another bowling changed paid off instantly with O'Kelly getting his first wicket of the season. Biggs one of the main stays of the Gents batting innings contributed well in the filed with a smart run out and SUS were struggling at 71-5. Opening batsman J. Chisholm was still at the crease however and was proving a thorn the the Gents side, he passed 50 and after finding some support from B. Kidner (25) looked to be leading his side to victory. O'Kelly finished his superb spell of 8-1-18-1 which could have been better if Chrisholm wasn't dropped in his final over.
Holland returned and once again the bowling changes worked as he immediately removed the opener for a well made 63. Luckily for the Gents the drop catch wasn't costly, it was in fact a brilliant catch taken by Biggs this time around. This was a crucial wicket but it didn't halt SUS charge for victory, 42 required of the last 5 overs meant anything could happen. 3 wickets fell in 3 overs but a series of boundaries from no.8 C. Ramsay (24*) meant 14 was requited from the final over. Holland started with a dot ball but a single off the second brought Ramsay back on strike, he was able to connect well with all the balls he faced but couldn't find the boundary. This left 6 needed off the final ball to tie the match. Ramsay was unable to achieve this and the Gents claimed a 3 run victory in a thoroughly enjoyable tense game of cricket.
Man of the match: Joe Biggs
Alex Bindloss