YG’s in the field during a drinks break against Old Amplefordians
YG’s V Emerit XI - 23rd May
Alex Bindloss sends in his match reports from the games. First up is the club’s game against the Emeriti XI on the 23rd May.
The Yorkshire Gentlemen travelled to Ampleforth to face the Emeriti this Sunday. It was a cold windy day up in the hills and a very damp outfield thanks to Saturdays rain. Runs were tricky to come by in this low scoring affair.
The Gents side was captained by David O'Kelly. The Gents batted first and the captain himself was forced to leave the field after being struck in the head by a sharp bouncer in the second over. Things didn't improve for the Gents as Rutter removed 3 in his opening spell leaving us on 22-3 after 11. Salman Syed and Pradeep Bas started a slow rebuilding job and survived to the 20th over. When Pradeep departed the score still only on 48. Syed fell for a top score on the day of 29, the next top scorer for the gents was extras (24).
Some useful contributions down the order from Dewi Winkle, Rich Exley and Alex Bindloss gave the gents a score of 125. A low total but one which the Gents captain felt could be defended on this tricky surface.
No batsman dominated at any stage of the day and this continued into the Emeriti innings.
Wickets for Alex Bindloss and Phil Holland in the 3rd and 4th over had the home side 4-2, just the start the Gents needed. The third wicket fell thanks to a very good catch from Charlie O'Kelly but the runs required were already in double figures. Bevan Fawcett was brought on and had immediate success with his first delivery taking a great one handed caught and bowled. He continued to take wickets finishing with 4 and the Emeriti slipped to 48-8. The ninth fell with the score on 69. This left the Emeriti final pair needing 57 to win. Thanks to economical bowling, the run rate moved just above 6 for the first time but the pair were playing well and both moved into the 20s. (The two top scorers for the Emeriti coming from their numbers 10 and 11).
Having guided themselves past the 100 mark they only needed 26 from the final 6 overs. But their efforts were in vain as the Emeriti captain perished, caught on the boundary by Exley off the bowling of Pradeep. An impressive final partnership, (the biggest of the match) shifting the pressure back onto the Gents in a thoroughly entertaining match.
YG’s V The Old Amplefordians - 30th May
The Yorkshire Gentlemen took on the Old Amplefordians this Sunday on seemingly the first true day of summer. It was a misty morning at Ampleforth and the dew stuck around on the outfield for a while despite the hot sun shining throughout the day. This was also the first timed fixture of the season. Hopefully as more restrictions are lifted we will have many more timed games as the season commences.
The Gents were asked to field and it took 15 overs before they first struck. The score was only on 24 thanks to tight spells from Alex Bindloss (6 overs for 3) and Kalpesh (5 overs for 9). It was Chris Stride who found the break through and he continued to cause trouble as he took 4 wickets in his first 4 overs, (including YG's member Bevan Fawcett for a first ball duck! Two further wickets fell and the home side were struggling on 55-6 when lunch was taken. A superb session for the Gents after being put into the field on a hot day. After lunch Fitzherbert and Maclellan rebuild the home sides innings putting on 61 before Bindloss removed them both in his second spell. They fell for 43 and 38 respectively. Good cameos from Prest (37) and Butler (23) took The Old Amplefordians to 197 before they were bowled out in the 61st over.
This gave the Gents a short 50 minute session before tea. One wicket fell in the 17 overs bowled, the Gents only making it to 17 with 11 maidens bowled in this period. After tea the Gents set about scoring the remaining 180 runs needed, while David O'Kelly went about building his innings, numbers 3 and 4, Rich Exley and Kalpesh looked to up the scoring. They both made 22 and 24 as the gents put their foot on the gas. Salman Syed came to the crease and with O'Kelly they took the runs required to double figures.
With 10 overs to go just 64 were needed with 7 wickets still in hand. 48 were needed when O'Kelly fell for 67. This slowed the scoring down but Phil Holland came and hit a mighty six while scoring well along side Salman. With 13 were requited of the final over, Salman reached his 50 but then perished in the boundary next ball. 10 were required of the final 2 balls but the YG’s could not get over the line, leading to the first drawn game of the season. The Gents falling 8 runs short of victory.
Thanks once again to Alex for his match reports. They are much appreciated. We hope you enjoy reading them. Great to see the sun shining at Ampleforth last Sunday.
YG’s V Collingham and Linton — Sunday 6th June Cancelled.
Sadly if you were hoping to make it to Escrcik for this Sunday’s match against Collingham and Linton - Sunday 6th June, it has had to be called off owing to the opposition needing to play a cup tie postponed due to poor weather last month. Fixture Secretary Bill Dalton had hoped to find a replacement fixture but to no avail.
The YG’s next play on Wednesday 9th June against York University. More warm sunny weather please.