Yorkshire Premier League North newcomers Acomb continued their fabulous early season form in thrilling fashion during a disrupted Saturday.
Three matches were completed and three abandoned, with the Yorkshire Academy tasting defeat.
Acomb, promoted in 2019 – the last full season before this, sit joint top with Dunnington on 34 points with three wins from four games.
Their latest success came by two wickets at home to Stamford Bridge as they frantically chased a target of 83 with the weather closing in.
After losing the toss, Acomb’s wickets were shared amongst their four-man attack, with Chris Aplin and Darius D’Silva claiming three apiece and Charlie Marshall and Darcy O’Connor two each as Stamford Bridge were bowled out for 82 inside 29 overs.
The visitors failed to recover from an early slump to 6-3, though opener Jack Timby top-scored with 30. He was the only one of the top six to reach double figures.
In reply, Acomb almost came a cropper. At 24-0, they were in reasonable health, only to slip to 34-5 as opening bowler Fletcher Coutts claimed all five.
O’Connor then continued his excellent day with 27 to steady the ship, only to fall as one of three wickets for two runs – 66-5 to 68-8.
But wicketkeeper Joe Schofield and Marshall shared an unbroken 15 for the ninth wicket to secure the win in 24 overs and moments before the rain arrived.
Maintaining pace with the side from The Green are Dunnington, who won the shortened YPLN campaign last summer.
They also secured the 10 points by chasing 148 against Will Luxton’s YCCC Academy inside 48 overs for the loss of six wickets.
Luxton top-scored for the Academy with a measured 71, his 132-ball innings including six fours. That number 10 Ben Cliff’s unbeaten 28 was the next best score was an obvious issue. In fact, no one else made it to double figures as opening bowler George Drury finished with an excellent 5-27 from 10.2 overs.
Dave Brent also chipped in with three wickets.
The Academy were up and about early in the defence as new ball seamer Cliff struck four times to leave Dunnington, Jonny Bairstow’s old side, at 99-6 in some trouble.
But, after George Drury’s earlier 39, number six Jack Bolam hit an unbeaten 35 to steer the hosts home in 47.2 overs. He shared an unbroken 51 with wicketkeeper Daniel Barrett (19).
The Academy have now won one and lost two in four games.
The other completed fixture saw Woodhouse Grange beat Sheriff Hutton Bridge by 47 runs as they comfortably defended a target of 211.
Half-centuries from Chris Bilton (63) and Henry Wilson (57) underpinned their 210-8 in 50 overs before the visitors were bowled out for 163 inside 45.
Josh Jackson finished with four wickets against a Bridge side including Mark and Adam Fisher, Yorkshire bowler Matthew’s brothers.
Champions in 2019, Sheriff Hutton Bridge are now bottom of the table having lost three from four with an abandonment. Second bottom are pre-season title favourites York, who have lost two added to two abandonments.
They were rained off on Saturday at Clifton Park with neighbours Clifton Alliance 12-0 after three overs chasing 193 in a 40-over clash.
Finlay Bean hit 53 for York, while Scott Hopkinson claimed four wickets for Clifton Alliance in 192-8.
Driffield Town made 195-5 from 50 overs at Castleford, including highly rated opener Noah Kelly’s 84. Former first-class duo Chesney Hughes (3-53) and David Wainwright shared four wickets. Castleford’s pursuit was unable to start.
The only game which did not start was Harrogate v Scarborough.
???? Yorkshire Cricket Honours Board – Week 5?
Congratulations to everyone who has taken wickets over the last week ????
Here's a look at the best bowling performances ???? #OneRose pic.twitter.com/Q4KsgKT7Lt
— Yorkshire CCC (@YorkshireCCC) May 20, 2021
Yorkshire Cricket Honours Board – Week 5?
Congratulations to everyone who has scored runs over the last week ????
Here's a look at the best batting performances ???? #OneRose pic.twitter.com/QdaTKzCLHa
— Yorkshire CCC (@YorkshireCCC) May 20, 2021
