Men’s Cricket 1sts open York’s Roses account

York’s men’s cricket 1st XI notched up the first points for the away side in this year’s Roses tournament with a battling three wicket victory.

After convincing wins against Teesside 1sts and Northumbria 2nds in their first two BUCS encounters, York felt quietly confident heading into their Roses encounter. A 6:45am meet marked a long journey ahead, which wasn’t improved by the lacklustre navigation of keeper Davies, seeing the minibus make more u-turns than Vince Cable on their pilgrimage to Lancaster. York may have turned up considerably late, but they were born ready for matches of this magnitude.

Lancaster won the toss and opted to bat on a sticky wicket that was not helped by the murky overhead conditions. Openers Martin and Felgate combined well with the new ball, applying consistent pressure on the openers which led to an early strike for the in-form Felgate. The Lancaster innings maintained this pattern, with York’s bowlers maintaining steady pressure but taking wickets just before the home side could get on top. Talisman Hudson caused constant problems with several close LBW shouts, with a spell that deserved far greater reward than just 2 wickets. Barrat provided support with two wickets whilst the mercurial Memon provided a three wicket spell reminiscent of the Spice Girls – a few beauties with the rest a bit ropey – but importantly removed the Lancaster opener who had passed 50. After a good return by Felgate and Martin Lancaster posted 188.

In reply York started shakily with in-form batsmen Hudson and Barrat removed early on, despite fine resistance from Kirkwood who scored his maiden first team half century. Wilson departed quickly at 4 leaving York 25-3, but Kirkwood and Davies steadied the ship, with the latter spotting the turn of the Lancaster spinners better than he could the surrounding roads hours earlier. Davies and Kirkwood built gradually taking York closer to the hundred mark before Kirkwood was dismissed after the drinks break. Captain Martin entered with the game finely in the balance, the game requiring the type of bottle that the York middle order has lacked in recent years. Davies and Martin were patient, knowing that the run rate of 4.5 an over did not require extravagant play.

The game turned again however with Davies being trapped LBW, closely followed by Alan Wood who continued his illustrious first team career. Although Memon also departed early Martin took responsibility, cleverly maintaining the run rate and manipulating the strike to judge the chase in an archetypal captain’s innings. Hoggart came in at 9 with bums well and truly squeaking as the opening bowlers returned with six and over required off the last five. Captain Martin remained cool under pressure, dispatching the Lancaster opener full toss into the sightscreen; he held the pose so the vociferous home crowd could fully acknowledge his elegant resistance. Hoggart supported Martin brilliantly, displaying the true depth of the York batting line up.

With one over left York required four for victory. Hoggart worked the first delivery down to third man for two with a deft show of the blade. He played and missed at the second as the crowd inched further off their seats. But again Hoggart was given width and he unleashed a heroic square cover drive that raced to the offside fence and unleashed frenzied celebration as York won with three balls to spare.

The match was a fine exhibition of limited over cricket with bat and ball engaged in an olympian tussle until the very last over. York showed their mettle in this tense affair, maintaining their composure under huge pressure from a baying crowd. Such a performance is indicative of a side whose tremendous team spirit will see them competing for BUCS promotion this season.

Team: S. Martin*, E Davies+, T. Hudson, A. Kirkwood, J. Barrat, E. Wilson, A. Wood, K. Memon, R. Hoggard, W. Felgate, C. Alsop

Man of the Match: S. Martin

Add Comment

You must log in to submit a comment.