Centuries from a pair of Matthews, Till and Maltby, were the features of a highly entertaining winning draw for leaders Sessay against Sheriff Hutton Bridge seconds in the York and District Senior League’s Premier Division on Saturday.
Opener Till’s superbly paced 147 off 151 balls gave hosts Sessay the whip hand with a commanding 318-4 from 50 overs, only for Bridge to deny them the maximum 30-point haul thanks largely to Maltby.
While Till’s innings came with his side on the front foot, Bridge’s position could hardly have been more perilous when Maltby came to the crease at number four.
His side were 2-2 and staring defeat in the face.
But Maltby shared 142 for the third wicket with opener David Coverdale (53) and finished 112 not out off 140 balls in 219-5.
Sessay’s 25-point haul would have been bettered by five had they bowled their visitors out, but they are still in a healthy state as we approach the halfway stage in a season which sees them aiming to bounce back from Yorkshire Premier League North relegation in 2019.
Folkton and Flixton closed the gap to 27 points after nine games, themselves beating Beverley Town by four wickets chasing a 210 target.
They claimed the maximum 30-point haul after Harry Walmsley returned an excellent 6-60 from 15 overs to restrict Beverley Town to 209-9.
In reply, hosts Folkton were indebted to fifties for openers Tom Norman, their captain who made 55, and Richard Malthouse (57). They shared 121 for the first wicket.
A loss of six wickets for 43, including three for Jamie Roe, set nerves jangling, but Jake Hutton (25) and Max Harland (19) put on a match sealing unbeaten 45.
Josh Watson’s 97 and Alfie Wilkinson’s 59 not out underpinned Whitkirk’s 323-6 in a 164-run win at Welton, who were bowled out for 159 in reply. Tom Webb and Michael O’Brien claimed three wickets apiece.
Pickering were indebted to wicketkeeper Daniel Harper’s 41 and 54 not out from Kieran Bowes as they salvaged a a home draw against York second XI.
Opener-keeper Alex Liley led York to 250-8 with a fine 115-ball 96.
And his side looked well set for a win with Pickering 104-6.
But then came the middle order resistance, led by Harper and Bowes, who shared a rearguard 58 for the seventh wicket.
Bowes then shared 43 for the eighth wicket with Tom Sigsworth, whose 15 not out will not capture headlines despite proving crucial in securing 14 points to York’s 26. Sigsworth earlier took three wickets as well.
York seconds are third in the table on 157 points to Folkton and Flixton’s 175 and Sessay on 202. The top two in the table gain promotion to the YPL North, but York seconds cannot go up and join their firsts.
The other Saturday result in the YSDCL Premier Division saw Malton and Old Malton beat Goole Town by 82 runs.
Hosts Malton were bowled out for 167 inside 40 overs before Goole responded meekly with 85 all outside inside 31.
Yorkshire Cricket Honours Board – Week 9?
Congratulations to everyone who has scored runs over the last week ????
Here's a look at the best batting performances ???? #OneRose pic.twitter.com/FdIC8TbEEy
— Yorkshire CCC (@YorkshireCCC) June 18, 2021
???? Yorkshire Cricket Honours Board – Week 9?
Congratulations to everyone who has taken wickets over the last week ????
Here's a look at the best bowling performances ???? #OneRose pic.twitter.com/ZII2ydcYq7
— Yorkshire CCC (@YorkshireCCC) June 18, 2021
