9:59am Wednesday 24th June 2009
WOODHOUSE Grange and Stamford Bridge were the only grounds to survive the weather in the Foss Evening Cricket League. Woodhouse Grange picked up a victory over Wheldrake that saw them return to the top of the table, while Bridge beat a spirited Melbourne side in the last over.
Grange’s Sutton-on-Derwent base proved to be a ground for the batsmen despite the rain, as Wheldrake’s Matt Walker hit a season’s best score of 92 in his side’s 146-1 from 16 overs. Along with Jimmy Still (38), Walker added 142 for the first wicket before he was run out in the final over. Woodhouse paced their reply superbly, winning with one over and nine wickets to spare.
Tom Quinn’s quick-fire 24 got them going and then Andrew Anderson (80no from 49 balls) and Chris Bilton (30no) added 97 for the second wicket to see Grange home.
At Stamford Bridge, Melbourne posted a respectable 113-5 from their 16 overs with Greg Nesbitt top-scoring with 40 not out. It proved to be just short of par as Bridge knocked the runs off with eight wickets remaining in the last over.
David Chaplin (62no) received support from Kevin Smith (30no) in a half-century third-wicket stand.
With all other games rained off, Woodhouse top the table at the half-way point with Barmby Moor a point behind in second.
The relegation battle looks set to be fought out between Melbourne, Wheldrake and Yapham.
In division two, the complete wash out of the programme suited leaders Londesborough Park, who had a bye last week. Meanwhile, the weather also had a major impact on the Pilmoor Evening League fixture schedule, with play possible in only two of the eight scheduled fixtures.
At the top of the first division, Thirsk once again took advantage of opponents’ inactivity to stretch their lead by winning at Sheriff Hutton Bridge.
At the season’s mid-point, they have a maximum 14 points from seven games, which gives them a healthy five-point advantage over Newburgh.
Sheriff Hutton Bridge batted first when they entertained Thirsk and made 105-6, Dave Phillips and Mark Fisher each making 34, while Stuart Christon took 2-18.
Mark Cook and Tom Polkinghorne then took Thirsk to the brink of victory before Cook was out for 50 and, when Thirsk won in the 14th over at 106-1, Polkinghorne was unbeaten on 45.
In the second division, Alne won at Huby to move into joint second place and they, with Crayke, trail leaders Stillington by two points.
Alne won their fifth game on the trot with a ten-wicket success at Huby.
Tom Platt (52 ret) was Huby’s main contributor as they made 108-3, but their bowlers drew a blank when Alne replied and the visitors won comfortably at 109-0 as James Ash made 51. Will Myers was 20 not out.
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