The YG’s came up short against a strong Durham Pilgrims side on Wednesday 21st July.
The visitors batted first and got off to a blistering start racking up 100 runs in the first hour of play. C Steele was especially brutal scoring 68 off 49 balls. The recent hot weather had created a dew which did not help our bowlers during this time. After the initial onslaught and the drying of the outfield, the YG’s started to get into the match and whilst runs continued to flow wickets were taken at regular intervals. Angus Shaw’s spin was the main beneficiary taking 5 wickets as the batsmen sought to take him on. He finished with 80-5 off 13 overs. James van de Merwe also took 3 to help bowl out the visitors for 235 which came off just 38 overs.
It was all looking good for the home team in response with a 66 run opening stand between James Van de Merwe (37) and A Wood (35). Progress was continued by Richard Musgrave (44) and Will Shaw (29) who both looked relatively comfortable in spite of the very hot playing conditions. With plenty of time in the match and at 147 for 3 the game was very much on. Unfortunately Richard got out on the stroke of drinks with a shot that by his own admission was born out of thirst. A misjudged sharp single saw new batsmen Geoff Barker go for a duck and with that the game swung to the Durham Pilgrims. A clatter of wickets followed and only late resistance from club Chairman John Skinner (13 off 28 balls) and Neil Dale (4 not out off 17) gave any feignt hopes to salvaging a draw but alas it was not to be. YG’s all out for 196.
R Fyfe leaving the field having taken 5-42 for the Durham Pilgrims
Well played to the Durham Pilgrims. It is always our pleasure to invite you to Escrick and thank-you for the following message we received a couple of days ago.
Gentlemen
Can I just say what a positive delight it was to play our first 'proper'
game of cricket for two years at Escrick on Wednesday.
Hospitality, conviviality and joviality were nonpariel.
Thank you and please pass on our thanks to one and all, you even sorted
the weather although some of the boys seem to have been rather thirsty
looking at the bar bill.
Good to see the Chairman fully utilised doing long off at both ends,
doing the drinks and sightscreens and pretty much all of the chores.
Thank him for his efforts.
Best
Bryan Stone
This is why after all we play cricket - for the love of the game!