Matchday reports

A determined effort from their middle order helped York recover from 50 for three to eventually run out convincing winners against the League’s bottom side Rotherham Town by 123 runs.

Former Yorkshire pace bowler Ben Sanderson was impressive in his opening spell twice finding Jack Leaning’s outside edge only to see both chances go to ground. It was fellow new ball bowler, Archie Ogden, who struck first ‘keeper Chris Purshouse making it third time unlucky for Leaning. Oliver Hairs hit three of the nine balls he faced to the boundary before being bowled by Sanderson and when Duncan Snell (22) edged behind to the same bowler the home side were in the ascendancy. Liam and Ryan McKendry took advantage when the opening bowlers were replaced sharing a fourth wicket partnership of 48 in 12 overs, before Ogden was reintroduced, striking with his first ball  to dismiss Ryan McKendry caught behind. Alex Collins joined Liam McKendry and they would form the most significant partnership of the match. As overhead cloud gave way to sunshine Town turned to spin but neither Will Street nor David Mace were able to provide the control required through the middle overs as York’s fifth wicket pair added 110 in 21 overs. McKendry was first to reach fifty from 68 balls, Collins reaching the same ‘mark from one delivery fewer. They looked set to take the game away from their hosts until Collins, on 63, misjudged Mace’s throw from the boundary just failing to make his ground. Sanderson’s reintroduction sparked a dramatic period of play as he had McKendry lbw for 72, the first of three wickets to fall in the space of 15 balls, the pace-man finishing with five for 65. The visitor’s were then indebted to Nick Kay (26 from 16 balls) who steered the total to 249 for nine. 

Kay and Snell shared the new ball, and while Kay gave little away it was Snell who proved most effective picking up three wickets in his first four overs including the host’s leading run scorer James Moorhouse, and when Ogden failed to beat Ryan McKendry’s excellent pick up and throw from cover the home side had slumped to 32 for four. Nathan Smith top scored with 29 and was in defiant mood but having just struck opposing skipper Daniel Woods for six his attempt to repeat the stroke skewed high off the outside edge to Kay at point. Woods went on to pick up a wicket in each of his first three overs as Rotherham subsided to 89 for seven. A stand of 35 between Will Cooper and Mace only served to delay the inevitable, the former making 24 before sending a return catch to Ryan McKendry, the first of two late wickets for the spinner, before Woods wrapped things up when he had Mace caught in the deep by Alex Collins.

York booked a semi-final place, away to Yorkshire Academy, in the League Cup courtesy of a 50 runs victory against Cleethorpes. The Clifton Park side were made to work hard for their victory and despite a fifth century of the season from Jack Leaning and five wickets for Daniel Woods the home side didn’t have things all their own way.

 Openers Duncan Snell and Jack Leaning began in confident fashion taking advantage of the fielding restrictions to score 83 from the first 14 overs. Four more had been added when Snell, having made 42 drove Alex Osmond straight to Bill Kirby on the edge of the circle at extra cover. Leaning reached his half-century and the total 114 before Oliver Hairs dropped on 0 was unable to capitalise making 14 before being caught reverse sweeping off Kirby. Liam McKendry (21) helped add 48 for the third wicket as the home side looked well placed on 162 with 15 overs left. With the total on 197 and both Leaning and Ryan McKendry going well York chose to take their power play, and it proved their undoing, the five over period realised 27 runs at a cost of four wickets. McKendry (22) was first to go bowled by Graham Hume. Leaning, who passed 1000 runs for the season during this innings, had just celebrated reaching his century when his next ball failed to clear a leaping Alex Osmond at short midwicket off Fred Lumby. Alex Collins fell to the same combination, and Osmond took his third catch dismissing Simon Lambert this time off Graham Hume as York slipped to 220 for 7. Tom Pringle managed three fours before he was caught giving Lumby a third wicket and Graham Hume also picked up three, Jake Murphy providing further catching practice for Osmond. Woods took ten from Hume’s final two balls, including a pull for six through square leg as York finished on 254 for 9.

Alex Osmond made 108 from just 66 balls in the previous round so there was delight amongst the fielding side when he swung across the line and was bowled by Jake Murphy for just seven, but then Bill Kirby and Yaniv Judah formed a useful partnership of 76, aided by an indisciplined display in the field which contributed 20 extras. The visitors were beginning to dominate until a good running catch by Jack Leaning at deep midwicket gave Woods the first of five wickets as Judah departed for 33. The pressure built as Kirby and Tom Keast were kept in check by the accuracy of York’s spinners, and when Pringle caught Keist off McKendry for 21 and Kirby (60) sent a return catch to Woods the visitor’s resistance was effectively ended. Rory Osmond (36) was the only other batsman to reach double figures as the last five wickets fell for 46 runs, Woods finishing with five for 35 from his nine overs. 

York gave two of their most dominant performances of the season as they brushed aside the challenges from Harrogate and Scarborough to book their place at Finals Day in the Yorkshire League T20 competition. When the draw was made for the qualifying round of the competition the trio competing at St Georges Road looked to be the toughest group, but outstanding displays with both bat and ball ensured York came away with two convincing victories.

The first match saw hosts Harrogate win toss and insert York on a hard surface devoid of any grass, and it soon became apparent it would offer little assistance to the bowlers. Liam McKendry opened the innings with Oliver Hairs and they had already added 22 from just 13 balls when he was bowled by Ashley Griffin. Hairs dominated the bowlers hitting nine fours and a six on his way to a half-century from just 21 balls, as the total passed 100 in the eight over, his innings was ended when he played round a full toss and was bowled for 67. The second wicket partnership with Jack Leaning worth 90 off only 40 deliveries. Duncan Snell faced only 22 balls, hitting three sixes on his way to 47 as York’s top order continued to heap misery on the fielding side, which confounded the situation by dropping three catches. Leaning finished unbeaten on 81, from 46 balls as the visitors closed on 240 for 4 from 20 overs. Faced with an almost impossible task it was unsurprising that Harrogate’s batsmen struggled only Andy Hawkswell with 45 made any impression as his side could muster only 110 in reply. Leaning was the pick of the bowlers with two for 18 from his four overs, Jake Murphy and Ryan McKendry also picking up a brace.

In a much close contest only 26 runs separated Scarborough and Harrogate. Mark Tennant made an unbeaten 51 out of Scarborough’s total of 133 for six. Harrogate’s reply began well Vic Craven (24) and Alexis Twigg (45) sharing an opening stand of 57, but they were the only two to make double figures as the side was bowled out for 107. Young Sam Carver turned in the outstanding bowling performance, his figures of four for nine from 2.4 overs by far the best on a day dominated by the bat.

That set up a winner take all show down in the day’s final match Scarborough choosing to bat first in the hope of a repeat of the last match. Jonathan Moxon and Jake Murphy held the scoring in check with only 17 coming from the first six overs, Murphy also picking up the wicket of Darren Harland lbw. Andy Simpson and Mark Tennant guided the total to 48 by the halfway stage but with York’s bowlers giving little away it proved tough going only four boundaries coming from those first ten overs. Attempting to attack Simpson only succeeded in picking out Alex Collins fielding in the deep off the bowling of Ryan McKendry. Ashley Lyth put on 36 with Tennant before he fell to a well taken catch, Snell back pedalling to take the chance just inside the long off boundary. After that the scoring rate slowed again and despite Tennant finishing unbeaten on 33 Scarborough closed on 106 for six.

The loss of Oliver Hairs for a first ball duck proved only to be significant in that it brought together Liam McKendry and Jack Leaning. As in the first match Leaning was outstanding making 63 from just 29 balls with seven fours and three sixes. McKendry was happy allowing his partner the majority of the strike, but was no less impressive his 35 from 23 balls including six fours. They would both finish unbeaten as they raced to the victory target inside nine overs. The final tally for the partnership 106 from 50 balls as it took just 33 minutes for York secure their place on Finals Day for the second time in three years.

York inflicted a first defeat of the season on title rivals Harrogate to open up an eight point lead at the top of the table. The victory, by three wickets, owed much to the continued impressive form of Jack Leaning, his third century of the season taking his tally to 501 runs from just six Yorkshire League innings. There were also four wickets each for spinners Daniel Woods and Tom Pringle as the visitors were dismissed for 167.

Jonathan Moxon atoned for dropping a straight forward chance off Calum How in the fourth over of the innings by knocking back the openers off stump in his next over with the score on 30. Alexis Twigg (31) and Vic Craven (38) then threatened to take the game away from the home side during a stand of 63 for the second wicket. Both were looking comfortable at the crease until a spell of three overs yielding only two singles sparked a frantic period of action. Twigg was first to succumb to the building pressure driving Pringle straight into the hands of Liam McKendry at mid off. In the next over, bowled by Woods, Craven fell in similar fashion this time Pringle the catcher at mid on. Andy Hawkswell lasted just nine balls before edging Pringle to Oliver Hairs at slip, and three wickets had fallen for the addition of just six runs and the score was 99 for four. Skipper Ryan Bradshaw signalled his intentions striking Woods for four and six but his fellow batsmen continued to be tormented by York’s spin pairing. Richard Burcher and Hugo Peterson each fell cheaply and when Bradshaw, having made 17, drove a low catch to Leaning at short cover Woods and Pringle had three wickets each and the innings had subsided to 116 for seven. Graeme Whiles (10) and Rob Stanworth (11) held up the hosts charge before both fell victims to lbw decisions and Ashley Griffin made a defiant 17 before he was last out, bowled by Leaning. York’s spin duo finished with combined figures of eight for 88 from 34 overs.

There were early signs that the home side might not have it all their own way when Graeme Whiles removed Duncan Snell and Oliver Hairs inside the first four overs, and when Craven trapped Liam McKendry lbw with the total on 38 victory  looked a long way off, but that was the limit of the bowlers success. Leaning gave a sublime demonstration as he mixed watchful defence with severe punishment of anything loose. His century came up off just 85 balls and contained seventeen fours and a six as he finished unbeaten on 109. Ryan McKendry played a fine supporting role contributing 35 to a partnership of 133 which saw York home with almost thirty overs to spare. 

A batting master-class by Duncan Snell and Jack Leaning allowed York to ease into the Group Final of the ECB National Club Championship. Their unbroken opening partnership of 247 against reigning South Yorkshire League champions Treeton sets up a home tie with Yorkshire League rivals Doncaster Town in the last 32 of the competition.  

The first thing the visitors had to come to terms with was the continuous slope of the Washfield Lane ground, Jonathan Moxon, despite an injury scare in the warm up, was given the job of bowling up the slope and when in his second over he trapped Scott Cunningham lbw the signs for the visitors were good. Alex Collins’ direct hit from point was found Dave Kemp short of his ground and the hosts were 35 for two. The visitors were unable to build on those early successes as Stephen Foster was joined by his captain, Chris Cobb. Daniel Woods rotated his bowlers in search of a breakthrough but without success as the pair looked increasingly at ease. York’s plight depend as hamstring injury forced Nigel Durham to limp off at the mid innings drinks interval, the ‘keeper unable to take any further part. Both batsmen passed half-centuries and a daunting total looked likely until Nick Kay’s fumbled pick up and throw deceived Foster (74) who was well short of his ground jogging back for second, the pair having added 133 in 24 overs.  Tom Pringle bowled Cobb (75) with the total on 174 and ten overs remained. Luke Bullingham was lbw playing back to the same bowler. Greg Norton’s hit three sixes in a brisk knock of 30 but then picked out Snell at deep mid-wicket off Woods. Stand in ‘keeper Liam McKendry did well to take Kay’s throw to run out Irfan Mirza, George Barnes was then lbw to Ryan McKendry three wickets had fallen for just one run. A flurry brought 24 from the final three overs as the innings closed on 243 for eight.

York’s openers adopted a defensive approach as Foster gave away nothing conceding only two fro his first five overs. In contrast Greg Norton went for 48 the total reaching 50 in the 11^th over. Snell took the majority of the strike and made the most of the short boundaries hitting nine fours to reach his half-century and was scoring quicker than a run a ball when he reached his 100 off 99 balls. Happy to play a supporting role on this occasion Leaning eased to 50 off 82 balls. The double century milestone had been passed before Foster returned the attack and he was greeted by Snell who took him for 16 runs off the over. Leaning’s final scoring shot, a six, took him to 74 unfortunately Snell could only manage a four leaving him not out on 148,  York reaching their target with almost seven overs to spare.

Victory sets up a Group final at home to Doncaster Town

York tasted League defeat for the first time in almost a year when they lost out in dramatic fashion at Kings Mill Road. Driffield Town’s victory, by just three runs, brought to an end an unprecedented run of twenty-six matches since their last loss away to Rotherham Town on 4^th June 2012. In a griping finale Ollie Ezard held his nerve to emerge as the hero returning to take the last three wickets for four runs, having earlier been hit out of the attack conceding twenty off an over bowled at Oliver Hairs.

The home side got off to a confident start Mark Clarkson and Ben Kohler-Cadmore putting on 68 for the opening wicket before Nick Kay had the former caught at short mid off, and only one further run had been added when the same bowler struck bowling the other opener. That brought Sam Drury to the wicket, and he began with a huge slice of luck edging his first delivery at catchable height through the slip cordon but the chance went begging, allowing him to continue the rich vein of form, which had seen him score 104, 77, 6 and 102 in his last four innings. This time he missed out on three figures, caught at deep mid-wicket by Ryan McKendry off Daniel Woods for 80, made off just 65 balls. Prior to his departure Woods captured the wickets of overseas signing Abid Ali and George Drury neither of who made an impact and Jonathan Moxon’s removal of Danny Broumpton completed a trio of batsmen who failed to reach double figures. That left the home side on 165 for six and two wickets for Tom Pringle and one for Ryan McKendry left the home side floundering on 207 for nine. Not for the final time in the match Nick Hardgrave would prove a thorn in York’s side his 51 from 37 balls contained six boundaries three of them sixes, although he should have been caught at long off for 30. Thanks in part to and indifferent performance in the field which saw 28 extras conceeded, 15 of them wides, York were left to reflect on what might have been as the contemplated chasing a victory target of 236.

The early loss of Duncan Snell (6) was made up for as Jack Leaning (42) and Oliver Hairs (72) added 109 for the second wicket. David Brent and Hardgrave bowled 34 overs in tandem through the middle of the innings but it was the latter who carried the threat as York failed to build any meaningful partnerships throughout the period. Hardgrave finished with five for 56 and it was in his 17^th and final over when he took the decisive wicket bowling Alex Collins (31) with 24 still required for victory.  Tom Pringle (18) gave the batting side hope but when he was bowled by Hardgrave’s replacement  Ezard the visitors late order were unable to find the eleven more required for victory.  

Abbeydale Park was the venue as third took on first at the top of the Yorkshire County ECB Premier League on Bank Holiday Monday and it was leaders York who left with the spoils. The manor of the victory, a sizeable 128 runs, sending out a message to any would be challengers that the reigning holders are in no mood to relinquish their title.

The decision to bat first looked a good one as Liam Mckendry partnered Duncan Snell at the top of the order and the pair put on a second century opening partnership in three days. Saturday’s effort went a good way to sealing victory against Barnsley, and against Sheffield Collegiate it looked to have set the platform for a sizeable total. York’s openers took full advantage of an attack missing leading wicket taker Oliver Pearson, the total reaching three figures inside the 24^th over which went for 16 runs off a Josh Varley. That prompted a change as skipper Matthew Dixon introduced his off spin. The move paid an instant dividend as Snell attempted to sweep the fifth delivery of his first over and was given out lbw for 49 with the total on 112. McKendry completed his half-century from 75 balls before Oliver Hairs on 21 pulled Dixon straight to Luke Shutt at mid-wicket. Varley’s persistence was rewarded with the wicket of Alex Collins caught at mid-off and when the same bowler had McKendry caught down the legside by ‘keeper Jonny Udall the visitor’s solid platform had become a slightly shaky 152 for four. Simon Lambert had only himself to blame when  he failed to regain his ground and was run out, but Ryan McKendry could count himself a little unlucky to pick out the fielder at backward square leg with a full blooded pull off Ashton Blakey. With the score on 184 for six and almost a dozen overs remaining Tom Pringle was joined at the wicket by Charlie Elliot. Renowned more for his exploits with the ball it was Pringle’s effort with the bat, 39 from 43 balls, which breathed life into a faltering innings. The pair added 60 for the seventh wicket at just under a run a ball, and when he was out, hitting a Blakey full toss straight to square leg the total was 244 and just six balls of the innings remained. Dixon picked up his third wicket as Matthew Hodsdon was stumped, whilst Elliot remained unbeaten on 22.

Going into the match the home side’s top order were in excellent form three of the top four averaging over 45, so with 251 to defend it was no suprise when and leading wicket-taker Daniel Woods brought himself on to bowl in the ninth over. It proved an inspired move, Nick Gaywood attempted to reverse sweep the second ball he faced from the York skipper, and succeeded only in steering it to a surprised Oliver Hairs who managed to hold the catch at first slip. Blakey drove straight to leaping Liam McKendry at short extra cover, and a sprawling effort by the same fielder at gully accounted for the prize wicket of Simon Guy, who having made 27 was beginning to look threatening. The home side had lost three key wickets, all to Woods with the total on 88.  Jacob Waterson was the only other batsman to pass twenty, his 45 the only highlight of a dismal batting display as none of the last seven batsmen reached double figures. Pringle capped a fine all-round display conceding just ten runs from eight overs in the process picking up three wickets, but it was Woods who took the bowling honours finishing with five for 29 from 14.4 overs.

York were made to fight all the way for their place in the Champions Trophy semi-final by a dogged Collingham & Linton side. Jack Leaning made his third, an arguably most valuable, century in York colours and Ryan McKendry produced his best figures since joining the club as the visitors eventually prevailed against the Aire-Wharfe League hosts.

Any thoughts that York might have had about an enjoyable afternoon in the sunshine at the picturesque CALSCA ground were quickly dispelled when Duncan Snell was out to the first ball of the match, he could only look on in disbelief as a gentle forward defensive push lobbed back to the bowler. That was the first of six caught and bowled dismissals on what proved to be a difficult pitch for batting, the surface offering turn and variable bounce. The visitors looked to have overcome their initial setback as Oliver Hairs took advantage of some undisciplined bowling and a short boundary to deposit the ball into neighbouring gardens, hitting three sixes in his 49 before being caught at mid on. The score had reached 78 when a mid innings collapse saw three wickets fall in the space of eight balls for the addition of only one run. Former Somerset spinner Stephen Booth picking of two in two balls on his way to figures of three for 34. Two further wickets left the visitors shell shocked on 116 for seven and looking unlikely to see out 50 overs. Despite the constant changing of partners Leaning retained his composure, a combination of quick footwork and deft stroke play kept him out of trouble and able to accumulate runs, best demonstrated by the fact that more than half of his first 50 runs came in singles. Supported by Tom Pringle (11) he added 44 for the eight wicket and a similar effort from Daniel Woods (9) meant 41 were scored for the ninth. Leaning accelerated his scoring rate through the closing overs reaching his century off 130 balls, the second fifty coming off just 36. Having taken 17 of the penultimate over of the innings from Girling he finally fell to a catch at deep backward square leg in the final over of the innings but his 101 ensured York had posted, what had looked for a large part of the innings, an unlikely 205.

Liam McKendry made an early breakthrough Brian Leigh falling to an excellent low catch by ‘keeper Nigel Durham. Charlie Fairbank was next to go bowled by Ryan McKendry for 13, one of only three players to reach double figures. In a mirror image of the visitors innings the host’s middle order failed to come to turns with the conditions as the off spinner caused havoc his ten over spell going for just 14 runs as he picked up six wickets, Simon Lambert’s airborne effort to catch Girling at mid on the best example of the support he received in the field. Having held the innings together opener John Swain was eight out with the score on 102 and when Hairs caught Stephen James off his own bowling in the next over a comfortable victory looked assured. Woods ten overs also went for just 14 but he was unable to dislodged the final pairing of Ryan Sharrocks and Stephen Booth and in a show of defiance they added 68 in just eight overs and must have felt they were in with a chance of steering their side home when the equation became 34 to win from five overs but it took only two balls for the returning Pringle to bowl Sharrocks for 49 and seal a hard earned victory.

Next round - Hoylandswaine (Away) date tbc

York extended their unbeaten start to League season to seven matches, the latest victory coming at Shaw Lane were they collected maximum points with a comfortable victory over Barnsley by eight wickets. Daniel Woods finished with five for 32, his third five wicket haul of the season, as the home side were dismissed for 143. In reply Duncan Snell hit an unbeaten 58 as the visitors raced to victory with almost 27 overs to spare.

Matthew Hodsdon struck an early blow trapping Matthew Wilson lbw in the sixth over which brought together Jonathan Trower and captain Steve Nuttall. The pair would be the only batsmen to get beyond twenty and their partnership of 52 represented the only period of the innings when the home side batting carried any threat. It took a low catch by Liam McKendry at short mid off to bring around the breakthrough, there was some conjecture as to whether Trower had actually hit the ball down into the pitch before it lobbed to McKendry but after consultation between the umpires the opener was forced to depart, and Woods had his first wicket. The spinner claimed his next by holding on when Harry Rouse drove a ball hard back at him, and when Nuttall drove in the air but failed to clear a leaping Alex Collins at midwicket off the same bowler Barnsley had slumped to 82 for four.  Jason Booth offered some resistance managing 18 and taking the score beyond a hundred before being clean bowled attempting a huge drive off Tom Pringle. Snell provided the highlight in the field his one handed diving catch at backward point, off Woods, to dismiss Ali Jahangir left the home side 107 for six. Callum Bethel played well for his 17 but the home side’s inexperienced lower order proved no match for York’s spinners. Pringle picked up two more wickets to finish with three for 36 from 17 overs, Woods claimed his fifth Bethel falling to a fine low catch at the wicket by Nigel Durham, then Jonathan Moxon returned trapping Philip Chapman lbw to close out the innings.

The home side were forced into fielding a young and inexperienced bowling attack having lost the services of five of last season’s six leading wicket-takers. It was perhaps then no surprise that the vastly more experienced pairing of Liam McKendry and Duncan Snell were able to score freely from the start both quick to punish any loose deliveries on offer. Spinner Jahangir finally made the breakthrough when he had McKendry stumped, off a wide ball, for 49. The opening partnership had however scored 101 from 21 overs. Oliver Hairs stay at the crease lasted just five balls before an edge off the same bowler was gratefully accepted by veteran keeper Phil Chapman, who had come out of retirement to play due to four regular ‘keepers being unavailable for a variety of reasons. The departure of Hairs seemed to trigger an urgency to finish the game Snell and Collins racing to victory scoring the 39 required from 41 balls. Snell reached his half-century from 73 deliveries hitting nine boundaries, but it was Collins who finished the game in style with a six over square leg. 

Two outstanding catches were the key moments as York overcame Elsecar to book their place in the third round of the ECB National Club Championship. Liam McKendry raced twenty yards round the boundary before diving to take a catch just inches above the ground to dismiss Glen Yates and Tom Pringle dived low at deep gully just managing to get his hand under the ball off Ian Swallow’s outside edge. Both came at crucial times as it looked for a large part of their innings that the South Yorkshire League side would chase down the home sides total of 181.

Not for the first time this season Jack Leaning played the major role in York’s innings, his 86 from 118 balls the stand out contribution as most of the line up struggled to find any fluency on a wicket offering turn and occasional uneven bounce. With limited opportunities to score against some accurate bowling the innings began slowly just 30 runs had come from the first 13 overs when Duncan Snell played back to Luke Townsend and was bowled for 10, Oliver Hairs fell to the same mode of dismissal and when Liam McKendry chipped a tame effort to mid off the home side had scored just 68 from almost 21 overs. Things began to pick up until a mix up in calling left Ryan McKendry unable to regain his ground, and four balls later part-time off-spinner Jason Meadows picked up the first of three wickets trapping Alex Collins lbw. At 98 for 5 with 16 overs remaining Nick Kay joined Leaning their partnership of 45 set a platform for a late flourish which saw 38 added in the final five overs. Leaning had begun to accelerate the scoring rate until opening bowler Iftikhar Afzal had him caught at long off as the home side lost their last three wickets in the space of nine balls.

 Jonathan Moxon found Danial Rafiq’s outside edge with only his second delivery to provide the first of three catches for ‘keeper Nigel Durham. Daniel Woods then trapped Brett Hunsley lbw with the score on 23 in the 11^th over and the home side were in the ascendancy. Opener Meadows and skipper Ian Swallow then came together for the matches’ largest partnership. They added 49 in ten overs and the match hung in the balance. Moxon was reintroduced to the attack and the moved paid instant dividends Meadows falling into the trap of hitting a short ball straight to Leaning at square leg. That brought Yates to the wicket and he and Swallow kept in touch with the required scoring rate adding 28 in eight overs before McKendry’s fine effort ended his innings with the score on 100. Leaning’s return to the attack proved to be a revelation having gone for 24 runs in his first three overs the spinner returned picking of four wickets, including Swallow, for only ten runs in his second spell.  Two of his victims’ were part of Durham’s haul to which he added a stumping off the same bowler. Moxon returned figures of 3 for 13 from 7.3 overs knocking back last man Chris Pedler’s middle stump as the visitors were bowled out for 153 leaving York victorious by 28 runs.

A century from Doncaster Town’s Simon Widdup could not prevent York from maintaining the unbeaten start to the season. The former Yorkshire opener who moved from South Yorkshire rivals Barnsley at the start of the current campaign made 101 out of the visitor’s 221 for eight, but York’s top order made light work of chasing down the target losing just three wickets as they reached their goal in under 37 overs.

Opening with Gareth Cox Widdup put on a patient 51 for the first wicket taking almost 20 overs, their progress not helped by a half hour break for rain. It took an outstanding catch by Alex Collins to separate the pair, diving low to his left  the midwicket fielder managing to hang on single-handed just inches from the ground, from the bowling of Matthew Hodsdon. Simon Guy lasted just three deliveries before being trapped lbw by the same bowler. Widdup was then joined by James Stuart for what would be the major stand of the innings. The pair added 147 at almost five runs an over as for once the home side pairing of Daniel Woods and Tom Pringle looked ineffective, although the later was the unfortunate victim of an uncharacteristically poor fielding display which saw Widdup dropped twice, both relatively straight forward chances. Their was another brief delay for rain before the opener took full advantage of his good fortune going on to reach his century from 150 balls with 11 fours and two sixes. It was Pringle who finally made the breakthrough having Widdup caught at the wicket with the total on 200. With seven overs remaining the visitors should have pushed on but an impressive display from Jonathan Moxon (4-35) prevented it.  The young paceman returned with a hostile spell picking up four wickets whilst conceding just seven runs, in amongst which Pringle picked up a second, Stuart caught at square leg for 71. Moxon’s efforts ensured the visitors ended the innings on the back foot with only 21 runs added following the departure of Widdup, handing the initiative firmly to the home side.

Any concerns that it might prove an awkward chase were soon put to one side as York’s first choice opening pairing of Duncan Snell and Jack Leaning set about the visitor’s bowlers. Leaning was particularly dominant hitting eight fours on his was to a half century of 46 balls, as 83 were scored from the first 14 overs. His innings was ended, bowled, by a ball which kept low from spinner Oliver Jackson.  When Snell was caught at midwicket for 45, the first of two wickets for Ashley Knowles, the total had reached 107. Oliver Hairs was threatening to break loose and had hit boundaries of each of the first four balls of Knowles over when a miscue off the fifth lobbed to mid off, Guy taking the catch, Hairs forced to depart for 25. That brought together Liam and Ryan McKendry and it took the brothers less than eleven overs to score the remaining 74 required for victory. Liam finished unbeaten on 43 and Ryan 38, from just 33 balls, both batsmen having hit seven fours as the home side cruised to victory with almost nineteen overs to spare.  

York moved to the head of the Solly Sports ECB Yorkshire League table as they maintained their unbeaten start to the season with victory over Hull in a one sided contest at Chanterlands Avenue. The top order was once again in impressive form, Duncan Snell leading the charge with a century as the visitors declared on 297 for three from 50 overs. Daniel Woods then claimed seven wickets as Hull made only 106 from just 28 overs crashing to defeat by 191 runs.

The visitor’s chose to bat first and Duncan Snell, returning to the side having missed Saturday’s trip to Sheffield United, was soon into his stride despatching two of the first three balls for boundaries, and he continued in the same vein contributing 39 to a total of 50 by the 12^th over. He was the beneficiary of a large slice of good fortune when on 60 James Anson failed to hold a straight forward chance at deep midwicket, it would prove a costly miss. Liam McKendry had made 25 in an opening partnership of 112 when he was out, Anson this time making no mistake at deep square leg off Tom Dimaline. Oliver Hairs failed to take advantage when another chance went down, ‘keeper Peter Shally atoning for his earlier error by affecting a stumping two balls later. Alex Collins joined Snell and from the next 15 overs the pair added 101 runs, during which the opener reached his second century of the season, this time from 111 balls with 16 boundaries including two sixes. Three further maximums came before a mistimed effort went straight to Dave Barrick at cover giving Dimaline a second wicket.  Collins and Ryan McKendry came together and provided their usual brand of hustling cricket, quick to pounce on any lapse in the field to maximise the scoring rate. Both batsmen looked well set having added 78 from 69 balls when Woods called to halt to proceedings, Collins ending unbeaten on 73, his partner not out 38.

Upon the resumption Shally immediately went on the offensive hitting Woods for three boundaries in his opening over, and when Tim Appleyard took seven off the next over it was clear the hosts intended to take the fight to York. Unfortunately their over aggressive cavalier approach proved to be their undoing. Appleyard sent a regulation catch to Glen Richmond off the final ball of Woods second over, and when Shally picked out the same fielder, this time at square leg off the first ball of the next over the score was 19 for two. That became three when Barrick drove his first ball to Ryan McKendry at cover and worse was to come when Nigel Durham parried Dimaline’s thick edge to Hairs at slip. Skipper Matthew Wilkinson’s response to 26 for four was to hit out including back to back sixes of opposite number Woods, but it was the visiting captain who came out on top when another attempted maximum was pulled in by Ryan McKendry on the deep midwicket boundary edge. With Wilkinson gone for 25 the innings then fell away only Tom Appleyard who survived 60 balls scoring 35 runs offered real resistance, and it took an excellent catch my Ryan McKendry back pedalling at point to dismiss him. It was another wicket for Woods who’s final tally of seven for 57, were his best figures since taking 7 for 36 against Doncaster Town back in 2010.

A second successive century by Jack Leaning laid the foundation as York continued their unbeaten start to the season with victory over Sheffield United at Bawtry Road. Yorkshire prospect Leaning backed up last week’s century, against Castleford, with an almost flawless display batting through the innings to finish 119 not out. A resolute defence meant he looked untroubled throughout and the ease at which he accumulated runs all around the wicket allowed York to set an imposing total of 297 for three, which their hosts never looked capable of threatening.

Put into bat Leaning and Liam McKendry made a watchful start, Zafran Ali and Saqib Hussain bowled well but the occasional loose delivery meant they were unable to build any real pressure. McKendry in particular was quick to punish anything too wide driving it to the cover boundary. The pair had posted 50 from the opening 13 overs. McKendry reached his half-century, from 81 balls, as the century partnership came up in the 24^th over. Chamin Weerasinghe (3-59), making his Premier League debut, brought about the breakthrough bowling McKendry with his first ball. That was followed with a second three overs later as Oliver Hairs, was bowled behind his legs, attempting a sweep shot. Leaning and Alex Collins (28) put on 46 before the latter became the spinners third victim with the total on 171. That turned out to be the last success for the host’s bowlers. Ryan McKendry brought up the 200 with a straight six in the 45^th over, the first of three maximums on his way to an unbeaten 66 from just 51 balls. Leaning’s one piece of luck came on 71 when a leading edge dropped harmlessly between fielders, it was the only false shot in his 137 ball innings. His century came up with off 127 deliveries, quick feet  a turn of the wrists and a gentle push all along the ground for two typical of the way so many of his runs had come. The final unbroken partnership with McKendry realised 126 runs from the final 15 overs.

The host’s reply was just four balls old when Jonathan Moxon knocked back Mark Cummins middle stump. Returning from an injury dogged season with the Academy the tall pace man bowled with well directed aggression extracting bounce with his high action and troubling the batsmen in a hostile opening spell, but without further reward. Paul Cummins played a typically defiant innings for which he is renowned and for a time found an ally in overseas signing, South African, Helgard Prinsloo. The pair batted for almost 20 overs to add 51, Prinsloo’s resolve finally ended when an out-of-character reverse sweep brought about his downfall lbw to the second ball he faced from Daniel Woods. Cummins remained resolute whilst at the other end York’s bowlers began to work their way through the batting order. Tom Pringle took two wickets and Ryan McKendry one as they strived to dismiss their hosts to claim maximum points. Cummins was eventually forced to depart, Collins diving forward to scoop an excellent catch at point off Woods, having made 88. With their captain gone the lower order offered little resistance against a now buoyant fielding side. Woods and Pringle finishing with four wickets each as United’s last four wickets fell for two runs in just 16 balls.

Oliver Hairs bludgeoned a double-century from just 89 balls as York begun their defence of their ECB National Club Championship title with a devastating 318 runs victory over, York & District Senior League side, Beverley at Clifton Park. In an innings which lasted just 92 balls he hit 15 fours and 14 sixes finishing unbeaten on 208.

The match began in dramatic fashion when Duncan Snell edged the opening delivery from Jonathan Fisher to Robert Fish, but the young keeper was unable to hold on to a difficult chance. That set the tone for what was in truth a poor fielding display by the visitors who spilled a total of eight chances. Snell received another reprieve with the total on 33 but after that his partnership with Jack Leaning flourished, both batsmen completing half-centuries in an opening stand of 120 within the first 20 overs. Snell had most of the early strike and was first to reach 50 hitting seven fours. Leaning brought up his with a six over mid-wicket off the 46^th ball he faced. The introduction of spin broke the partnership as Jamie Roe picked up the wicket of Snell caught behind for 57. That brought to the wicket Hairs who was just beginning to find his range when he lost Leaning to fine tumbling catch at long on by Olly Grantham giving Roe his second wicket. The total at that stage 153 for 2 with 20 overs remaining.

Liam McKendry joined Hairs and played the perfect supporting role working the ball into gaps to allow his partner maximum scoring opportunities. The pair added 209 runs at a rate in excess of 12 an over McKendry contributing 51 from 43 balls. The visiting bowlers , not helped by the fielding display, simply had no answer to Hairs who scored his boundaries all around the ground and on several occasions actually out of the ground. A straight six marked brought up his 50 off his 40^th ball faced, his century came just 19 balls later. Dropped on 103 at long-on he proceeded to hit the next three balls, from James Emery for six. The bowler going on to concede 104 from his eight overs. McKendry departed to a catch on the boundary edge by Roe off Brumfield for 51 with the total on 362. In contrast to all that had gone before it was a gentle push to long off and a single which brought Hairs to his double-century and the total to 400 but there still proved time for one more six before the innings closed on 409.

In the face of such a daunting total and having endured such a battering it was perhaps not a surprise that Beverley offered little in response. Only Jonathan Fisher, with 45, made double figures as the visitors managed just 91 in reply. Nine of the ten wickets fell to spin with Ryan McKendry picking up three wickets and Daniel Woods two. Jack Leaning was the pick of the bowlers his three wickets costing just 13 runs from nine overs. There was also a wicket for the occasional off spin of Hairs but it will be his extraordinary exploits with the bat for which this match will be remembered.

The victory sets up a second round tie, at home, against Elsecar of the South Yorkshire League. 

An outstanding opening partnership of 257 between York Cricket Club’s Duncan Snell and Jack Leaning paved the way for a comprehensive 166 run victory over Castleford at Clifton Park. Their combined efforts at the top of the innings was the sixth highest ever recorded for the first wicket in Yorkshire League history.

A heavy shower in the morning left standing water on the outfield delaying the start by 40 minutes, but once play got underway both batsmen soon settled in. Snell showed he was in no mood to hang around striking three consecutive boundaries in Hayden Mortimer’s opening over. With both players soon into their stride the runs began to flow and in a near faultless display the century stand came up in the 20^th over. In the next both batsmen reached fifty Snell reaching the mark marginally quicker of the pair from 59 balls, Leaning reaching his courtesy of poor fielding which resulted in four overthrows. The second hundred runs came off just 95 balls, as both players moved into the nineties. The left-handed Snell reached three figures, his sixteenth League century, by driving Liam Hyde for a boundary and that signalled the beginning of an onslaught which brought him 35 runs from the next 15 balls faced including three sixes and three fours. Meanwhile Leaning took a more circumspect approach moving through to his hundred with a series of well judged singles. The pair were finally separated two balls later when Snell, having reached 137, charged Eddie Morrison but failed to get to the pitch and was bowled. It was the first of three wickets for the young off spinner. Leaning had just hit the same bowler for a six and was attempting a repeat when Brayden Clark took a well judged catch on the boundary edge. It marked the end of an impressive home debut for the former Yorkshire Academy captain and on this showing it can only be a matter of time before a full county call up comes. A brisk flurry at the end saw Oliver Hairs score 22, and brothers Liam and Ryan McKendry add 38 in just sixteen balls which allowed Daniel Woods the luxury of declaring on 333 for three from 48 overs. Thus giving his bowler’s sixty overs to take the ten wickets required for maximum points.

Glen Richmond struck trapping Clark lbw in the sixth over, but then Andrew Bourke (32) and Will Simpson (28) dug in taking the score to 79 by the end of the eighteenth. The nineteenth saw the introduction of Tom Pringle and his first ball clipped the top of Bourke’s off stump and in his next over visiting captain Dominic Sharp picked out Glen Richmond at backward point. It was an excellent start to what would prove to be a miserly spell, the leg-spinner conceding only seven runs in his first ten overs. Fellow spinner Woods got in on the act capturing the wickets of Liam Hyde and David Tomlinson both lbw as Castleford were reduced to 96 for five. Liam Hyde resisted for 48 balls making 17 before being bowled as Ryan McKendry replaced Woods. Pringle picked up a further two wickets, the first a fine reaction catch shoulder high in his follow through, either side of a third for his skipper. He then brought down the curtain picking up the final wicket that of John Randerson who, having hit six boundaries in his 28, fell to a good low catch by Hairs, to finish with match figures of 5 for 32 from 14.5 overs.

York Cricket Club’s defence of the Solly Sports Yorkshire ECB Premier League title began in nail-biting fashion as they ran out winners by the slender margin of fourteen runs from a batting bonanza at North Marine Road. Scarborough captain Andy Simpson and Alex Collins for the visitors both made centuries as the sides combined to score 600 runs from 110 overs.

Under blue skies and bright sunshine York chose to bat first, and new opening partners Duncan Snell and Jack Leaning settled quickly adding 57 for the first wicket inside 15 overs. Their partnership broken when Snell’s chip failed to clear Darren Harland at midwicket, things could have been worse had Simpson held a difficult low chance at slip with Leaning on 24 soon after. Oliver Hairs signalled his intentions with four boundaries, two of the sixes, in his first nine balls. He contributed 41, from 28 balls, of the 60 runs partnership before an attempted pull spiralled skyward off the leading edge and Chris Grey took a comfortable catch to give Ashley Lyth his and Scarborough’s second wicket. Sam Carver picked up the wickets of Liam and Ryan McKendry neither making double figures as the visitors slipped to 136 for 4. Leaning showed no sign of debut nerves as he posted his half-century off 79 balls with four fours. With Collins he added 66 runs in eleven overs to push the score past 200, but when he was bowled by Theo Smith and Nick Kay was bowled by Matthew Kay in the next over the score was 204 for six with twelve overs remaining. That brought together Tom Pringle and Collins and it was their partnership off 86, during which the latter passed his half-century from 51 balls,  that proved to be decisive. Pringle played an excellent supporting roll contributing 26 as the score rattled along to 290 before he was out leaving Collins finished the innings with a flourish pulling Simpson over mid-wicket for two huge sixes the second of which took him to his century, the second half of which came off just 26 balls.

A debut is often a memorable occasion and so it proved for Matthew Hodsdon who’s first delivery clipped the top of Darren Harland’s off stump and his second found the edge of Mark Tennant’s bat ‘keeper Nigel Durham taking an excellent low catch in front of first slip. With the score on 4 for 2 the victory target of 308 looked a long way off, but as he has proved so often in the past Simpson is one of League most prolific run scorers and always capable of playing the big innings. In Ashley Lyth the skipper found a willing partner and mixing aggression with watchful defence the pair kept the run chase on track for almost 44 overs adding 235 runs. Simpson reach 50 off 55 balls and maintain his rate of scoring reaching 100 off 110. Lyth looked on course to be the matches third centurion but on 85 he fell to a well judged catch at wide long on by Liam McKendry off his younger brother Ryan’s bowling. Seemingly unaffected by the loss of his partner Simpson pressed on reaching his 150 with a six off the same bowler, but revenge came when in his next over Daniel Woods plucked a fine reflex catch from above his head  at square leg. It brought to an end a valiant captain’s innings and also signalled the end of any realistic chance his side had of winning the game. The last five overs saw the addition of only 21 runs the visitors picking up four further wickets to emerge victorious from a fascinating season opener.