By John Virr – 2nd X1 Scorer
Two games were played in front of a sizeable crowd with the first being a Group game and the second a friendly. Over the 2 games the spectators were treated to a plethora of impressive shots totaling 88 fours and 40 sixes – understandably a number of balls were lost.
The group game started with our visitors electing to bowl – Noah Kelly was caught at deep square leg in the 1st over bringing Yash Vagadia to join Owen Smith and they added 86 in 41 balls before Smith was bowled for 30 from 17 balls with 3 fours and a six. Vagadia completed a half century from 24 balls with 9 fours and 2 sixes but he, too was bowled without further addition – Tahirkhelli was caught at mid off for 2 and 86-1 had become 89-4.
Joe Thompson joined Donovan Ferreira and they remained unbeaten as Yorkshire posted 238-4. Thompson made 18 from 21 whilst Ferreira blasted 114 not out from only 51 balls – his 1st 50 came from only 22 balls; in total he hit 10 fours and 9 sixes – an innings enjoyed by everyone fortunate enough to watch it.
In reply, Skipper Ben Cliff bowled Perry in the 1st over and Vagadia had Perera lbw in the 2nd – 4-2. Lancashire’s overseas player Tom Bruce joined George Lavelle and they added 40 in 17 balls before the latter was caught at long on by Ferreira off Alex Wade. Aspinwall blazed 32 from 11 balls and Blatherwick 9 from 7 before Bruce completed a half century from 30 balls with 6 fours and a six.
Wickets fell at the other end and despite Bruce ending 98 not out from 50 balls with 7 fours and 6 sixes our visitors finished 30 short.
There were 2 wickets for Josh Hen-Boisen and 3 for Vagadia. The victory coupled with other results left Yorkshire top of the North Group with 3 qualifying games remaining.
The 2nd game saw Lancashire bat first and they raced to 80 in the 7th over before the first wicket fell – Blatherwick made 44 from 21 balls. Perera and Bruce added another 80 from 44 balls before the former was caught shortly after reaching a half century – 54 from 38.
Bruce repeated his first innings by making 71 from only 38 balls (4×4;5×6). Lavelle had made 7 from 10 but finished 44 not out from only a further 11 balls (7×4;1×6) – Lancashire closed on 233-3.
Ferreira having departed ,our batting line up lacked his presence but they made a valiant effort as we finished 200-6. Tahirkhelli made 20 from 11 balls and Vagadia 30 from 23 but it was left to Noah Kelly to provide the bulk of the runs – he reached 50 from 28 balls (6×4;2×6) and his maiden ton from a further 27 totaling 10 fours and 4 sixes – an innings showing timing, composure and shot selection.
Next action is Thursday 4th July at Weetwood with a “double header” against Nottinghamshire – 1st game due to start at 11 am.
