The D40 Tykes capped a superb summer for Yorkshire Disability Cricket on Sunday, gaining promotion to next year’s National Quest League.
The Tykes claimed a comprehensive 81-run victory over Middlesex seconds at Collingham in North Nottinghamshire in a play-off tie for a place in the top county division.
Both sides had won their respective regional divisions, and were facing off for the right to join the likes of champions Hampshire, Surrey and Lancashire in the Quest League for 2023.
It came after the Yorkshire S9 Terriers had already tasted regional success by winning the Northern section last month – their side captained by Alastair Domville.
On Sunday, James O’Conner was the one lifting silverware after the Tykes had amassed an imposing 250-7 from 40 overs, batting first.
O’Conner (25) and fellow opener Gordon Laidlaw, the former England batter and the star of this particular innings, set the tone with an 80-run partnership, one almost matched for the second wicket as Laidlaw shared 78 with Owen Morris.
Make no mistake, this was an excellent performance with the bat from Yorkshire, whose top four all contributed significantly having been inserted.
Brilliant Laidlaw retired out with 76 off 68 balls – his fifty coming at a run-a-ball – while Morris made 41 and Cameron Sweeney 29 from number four.
Edward Denton also hit a blistering late 39 off 16 balls, including a trio of sixes, to ensure the loss of three wickets for 16 – 204-3 to 220-6 – didn’t derail the innings.
In reply, Middlesex, captained by Sue Benson, were rarely in the hunt, as the wickets were shared around the Yorkshire bowlers.
Denton continued his excellent day, taking the new ball and returning 2-25 from eight overs, including the key wicket of top-scorer Neil Magdani bowled for 39.
England Ashes winner Alex Jervis, Denton’s new ball partner, also struck twice, while Owen Morris returned an important 3-34 from eight overs to ensure that he took just as many plaudits as man-of-the-match Laidlaw and Denton.
Middlesex lost wickets all too regularly. They were 91-5, putting the skids under their hopes of promotion, eventually bowled out for 169.
Yorkshire believe this was their most complete performance of a successful season, one which resulted in promotion.
Yorkshire Disability Cricket would like to extend its thanks to clubs Collingham and Higham, who have played hosts to games this summer, as well as sponsors Woodstock Cricket.
If you would like to learn more about Disability Cricket in Yorkshire, contact Tom Hudson, [email protected].
