The Academy made the visit to Kings Mill Road on Saturday to play Driffield Town who were struggling to avoid relegation.
After winning the toss the Academy elected to bat on a pleasant afternoon.
The Academy openers put on 49 for the first wicket before James Wharton was dismissed in the 12th over. Captain Ben Birkhead and George Hill put together an excellent partnership of 146 from 153 balls, before Birkhead fell just short of his century for 96. His innings came from 105 balls with 11 fours and his half century from 51 balls. Hill completed his century from 102 balls and was out for 107 from 112 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes with the total now on 254 for 3. Tom Loten also contributed with 49 not out as the final total of 293 for 5 from 50 overs which was the highest score of the season for the Academy.
Wickets were taken by Harry Burnhill 1 for 53, Luke Ramsay 1 for 32, Nick Hardgrave 1 for 69 and Kavindu Kulasekara 2 for 69.
In their reply Driffield lost their first wicket of stand in captain Grant Halder in the 5th over with the total at 20. Overseas Kavindu Kulasekara joined Alec Drury and they put on 61 for the second wicket from 69 before Kulasekara fell for 26. The next two wickets fell quickly to leave the home team struggling at 98 for 4 in the 24th over. There was a partnership of 31 for the 5th wicket which took the score to 129 for 5. It soon became 158 for 7 in the 38th over as the Academy looked likely to bowl them out. Wicket keeper Mark Goddard joined opener Alec Drury and they put on 58 for the 8th wicket from 65 balls before Goddard was dismissed for 28. Drury who played for the Academy last season completed his century in the last over and carried his bat and finished on 103 not out from 131 balls with 11 fours. Driffield Town finished on 221 for 9 from 50 overs.
The Academy wickets were shared between Eddie Barnes 1 for 23, Harrison Quarmby 1 for 26, George Hill 1 for 10, Dominic Leech 1 for 22, James Sullivan 3 for 58 and Bilal Anjam 2 for 45.
It was another good performance from the Academy who are still 5th in the table and two points behind Sheriff Hutton Bridge in 4th place.
Next Saturday the Academy visit Stamford Bridge who are currently third in the table.
Points: Driffield Town 2 Yorkshire Academy 8.
Andrew Hinchliffe – Yorkshire Academy scorer
