Nick Wright previews this weekend's clash between York City Knights and Hull FC
Alex Reid looks at whether the once ever-present appearance of English clubs in the later stages of the Champions League is set to become a thing of the past
Craig Dobson looks at QPR's decision to sack Neil Warnock and replace him with Mark Hughes
James Tompkinson reviews an excellent pre-season victory for the York City Knights against Yorkshire rivals Leeds Rhinos
Bradford came to 22acres with confidence, sporting two Bradford league players, one of whom scored 260 against Teeside - it was York's toughest test yet. York lost the toss and were put into bat on a placid wicket with Barrat and Martin dropped down the order owing to injury. Bradford bowled tightly, forcing York to crawl along at 3 or 4 an over. The top 5 all got starts but failed to push on and at 78/5 off 31 overs York looked like falling way short in this 45 over affair.
Then in came the brave Barrat, flying in the face of all medical opinion and physical expectation to try to resurrect his team's innings. We have been told about the 1963 test at Lords with the belligerent Close taking blow after blow from Griffith and Hall; we all saw the remarkable Ashes hundred from Steve Waugh with a torn calf muscle. On this day it was Johnny Barrat who added his name to the annuls of cricketing heroism. He dispatched the Bradford bowlers to all parts of the ground, despite writhing in pain after each stroke, before continuing to bludgeon the next delivery to the boundary again. Barrat’s 44 from 24 balls breathed life into the York innings boosting them to 176/8 from their 45 overs.
Bradford launched a counter attack at the tea interval, wolfing down all the garlic bread and two thirds of the Victoria sponge before the home side could even join the queue. York are a team proud of their teas - and they don't take such insults lightly. The away side's openers left spectators with visions of Clayton Lambert and Philo Wallace - the dashing batsmen showing a blatant disregard for meritorious bowling. The breakthrough came when confusion struck as Ackthar wanted a single to Hoggart at square leg but his colleague declined leaving him to be run out for 35.
Bradford's second semi pro came in at 3 and began to assert his authority. Felgate, Oldham and Hudson had struck but whilst Abbas was in, Bradford still had the upper hand. Hudson and Oldham built the pressure but it was only a matter of time before a chance came. And then it did. Increasingly frustrated Abbas tried to clear Alsop at mid off but instead hit a steepling catch. As the ball descended on Alsop, a Bradford player screamed out to put him off, which was unfortunately successful. The Spirit of Cricket had been shattered, it's congenial code ripped to shreds in the pursuit of hollow Machiavellian victory. The umpire warned their skipper of their conduct, he refused to accept responsibility. The game suddenly developed an unpleasant tone.
York had renewed vigour but could not quite break through the middle order as the Bradford 6 offered assured resistance. Martin returned with little effect, only removing Raja at 7. All then seemed lost with Bradford needing 6 to win with 4 wickets left. But the leering arrogance of the Bradford players demanding a six belittled the tenacity of this York eleven who have more bouncebackability than Ian Dowie could ever dream of.
A fiery Felgate dismissed Patel for 44, and then Pathan the very next ball. Spectators began to whisper, the Bradford players suddenly quietened, numbers 10 and 11 bums began to squeak. Alsop had to come into the attack in the most pressure of situations, defending 5 runs and needing 2 wickets he could not err in line or length. Oh but how well he bowled! A steady wrist and a cool head saw Alsop bowl a wicket maiden dismissing Bradford's unsavoury captain.
It was all down to Barrat. 4 runs needed 1 wicket to get. The number 11 grabs a single, only three notches on the scorer's column required. He sends down a full toss which is met with a slog sweep, but the batsmen mistimes and loops the ball towards skipper Martin at mid off, who dives forward and holds on for an unbelievable win. Rapturous celebrations ensue, skipper Martin sprinting away from the adulation of his team mates, showing a turn of pace impossible to replicate in his normal stride.
York had done it. They had won the tie for progression to the cup, for the delight of their faithful fans but also for the values of Cricket itself. It was heard that old Father Time had turned North East at that point, in acknowledgement that the game of the gentleman still prevailed amongst its players.
S. Martin, E. Davies+, T. Hudson, J. Oldham, J. Barrat, A. Kirkwood, E. Wilson, R. Hoggart, O. Whimshurst, W. Felgate, C. Alsop
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