The club welcomed the Free Forrester’s to Escrick Park on the Bank holiday Sunday with a club BBQ organised for the conclusion of the match. There was a good response from club members for attendance and organisers Phil Holland and Jason Dale were well prepared with a selection of homemade salads and puddings (thanks mainly to their wonderful other halves Karen and Philippa) to compliment the BBQ food.
Having enjoyed a warm balmy Saturday evening the weather gods turned the winds overnight and made for a cool and at times positively chilly experience for the spectators. A fair few preferred the view from the comfort of their cars whilst those that did brave the pavilion were well wrapped up.
It would be fair to say the cricket was dominated by a fine young player from the Free Forrester’s - Ethan Berlusconi - whose knock of 131 out of 190 (off just 31 overs) for the visitors was one of the best innings seen at the ground this year. That only one other played made it to double figures shows just how important his knock was is determining the course of the game.
Most of the YG’s bowlers went for around 6 an over but Dewi Winkle 2-32, Salman Syed 3-27 and Pradeep 2-11 insured our decent batting line up had a chance.
Well….Perhaps the YG’s batsmen tummies were rumbling as the BBQ coals were lit and the smoke drifted across the ground and were distracted in their task of chasing down the total.
Under a good opening spell of pacey bowling the YG’s were in trouble at 20-4 in next to no time. Some brief resistance was given by Salman Syed (15), Kalpesh (16 off 7 deliveries) and Dew Winkle(15), but no one got the measure of the Free Forrester’s seamers or spinners. The YG’s were eventually dismissed for 80 in just under 38 overs.
We were well and truly beaten by a good side and a very talented young player - still the YG’s might be the winners in the end - young Ethan will be playing for Durham university and the academy next summer and has expressed an interest in playing for the club on Sundays. We’ll keep in touch with him in the closed season.
For those who stayed and braved the weather the BBQ was a big success, with some delicious tasty food and a wonderful atmosphere enjoyed by club members, players (from both teams) and family and friends.
Whilst Jason and Pippa ran the BBQ, Salman Syed and Toby Ward did a stirling job of selling raffle tickets and with members supplying some prizes, Richard Head with the assistance of little helpers conducted the draw.
With dusk and the evening cooling further numbers drifted but the fire pit kept the core remainers happy till the late evening.
Huge thanks must go to Phil Holland and Jason Dale for organising the event and to Karen and Philippa for all their help behind the scenes and on the day. Thanks also to all the others who helped with food and provided prizes for the raffle. Thanks to Gerhard Landy for supplying a TV so we could run a slideshow of pictures taken during the season. And of course we must not forget a thank-you to the members who turned up to ensure the day (at least off the field) was a big success.
YG’s v The Borderers
Unfortunately due to the opposition not being able to raise a side Sunday’s match on the 5th of September has been cancelled.
Last game of the season - Little Valley - 12th September
This leaves just one more fixture for the season — against Little Valley on the 12th - It would be lovely to see members come down and support the club for this game. Let’s see if we can finish with a win.
Hopefully we’ll get an Indian Summer’s day and we’ll light the BBQ coals one last time - we have some left over meats and BBQ king Phil is keen clear out his freezer.