By John Virr – 2nd X1 Scorer
DAY 1
Yorkshire lost the toss and our hosts decided to bat first. George Harris made 50 from 43 balls with 10 fours but our youthful seam attack ranging from 15 to 19 years of age stuck to their task and had dismissed the top 4 with 71 on the board.
Matthew Firbank bowled Fonseca and Singh, with Subhan Ali bowling Rocky Flintoff and 15-year-old George Lancaster (on debut) had Harris caught at slip. The duo of Joe Moores and Tom Hartley added 69 in 110 deliveries and at lunch Lancashire were 140-4. Moores had made 43 from 83 balls before he was caught by Harry Duke off Rizwan Ishfaq and his next over he removed Olly Sutton caught at 2nd slip by Noah Kelly. At this stage Hartley had completed his half century from 68 balls with 7 fours and he was joined by Charlie Barnard.
The latter was dropped at long leg when 18 with the score 232-6 – this proved crucial and the pair remained together at tea having added 117 from 150 balls – Barnard 54 no from 78 balls and Hartley 122 no 149.
After tea they extended their partnership to 180 from 232 balls before Hartley was caught and bowled by Will Bennison for 161 from 196 balls – Bennison bowled Walker first ball – 371-8. Barnard completed his century from 128 balls with 8 fours and 3 sixes and at 434-8 they declared leaving Yorkshire with 6 overs to face and at the close we had reached 33 without loss.
DAY 2
Resuming 401 behind Will Luxton and Will Bennison took our total beyond a hundred and had reached 150 shortly before lunch when Luxton was caught at cover for 83 made from 120 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes (his half century came from 84 balls with 5 fours). Harry Duke joined Bennison and at lunch we were 168-1, Bennison unbeaten on 71 from 94 balls.
The pair took their partnership to 84 from 138 balls before Bennison was caught and bowled for 93 (134 balls; 11x 4and 1×6). Duke reached his half century from 88 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes and he and Noah Kelly took our total to 294-2 at tea.
The evening session proved to be more sedate however Duke continued and reached a well deserved ton from 193 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes. Kelly reached a half century from 114 balls with 5 fours and together they added 130 from 254 balls before Kelly was lbw for 58. Duke ended the day 117 not out but Jawad Akhtar was bowled for 9 leaving us 376-4, trailing by 58.
