Malton & Old Malton win Prendergast Memorial Cup (From York Press)

Malton & Old Malton win Prendergast Memorial Cup

11:22am Saturday 1st September 2012 in Sport

HOT favourites Fulfordgate were surprisingly beaten by a youthful Malton & Old Malton in the final of the Prendergast Memorial Cup at Dunnington , writes Martin Jarred.

Division two leaders Fulfordgate were expected to ease to victory against a side which has been lingering at the foot of the HPH York Vale Cricket League division three most of the summer.

But the Gannock lads played out of their skins to inflict a shock five-wicket defeat.

Key to their success was brilliant fielding which included taking all nine catches that were on offer, four of them by 15-year-old stumper Shaun Harland.

Batting first, Fulfordgate struggled on a lively rain-affected pitch.

Ryan Gaughan (4-16 from seven overs) made early inroads by removing Gate openers Liam Hancey and Steve Rose.

No batsman got beyond 20 as Malton kept up the pressure with Wayne Cullen, pictured with the trophy, and Max Fraser taking a couple of wickets each and the York-based side were all out for 88, Mark Hancey top-scoring with 17.

Max Henderson (4-39) responded with a fiery opening spell supported by wicketkeeper Liam Hancey, who pouched four catches, including an outstanding take low down in front of first slip.

At 24-4 Malton were rocking but a solid fifth-wicket partnership of 56 between 14-year-old Morgan Fraser (38no) and Steve Varey (20) broke Gate’s resistance.

An alternative venue for tomorrow’s Graham Headley Memorial Cup final between Stockton & Hopgrove II and Askham Bryan II (1.30pm) is being sought as the Kelfield pitch, where the game was to be played, is waterlogged.