Senior Cricket League: Drama as Pickering draw with Thirsk (From York Press)

Senior Cricket League: Drama as Pickering draw with Thirsk

10:03am Monday 16th July 2012 in York Senior League

PICKERING were forced to settle for a draw against Thirsk in a hard-fought division one clash in the Hunters York & District Senior Cricket League.

The Pikes narrowly failed in their bid to surpass the 190 made by the visitors. The chief contributor to the Racers’ total was Kieron Fenwick, who hit 80, while skipper Ben England made 40 before his side were all out in the final over.

Pickering’s Mark Shepherd took 4-38 and Tom Croot, having earlier been called upon to complete an over through an injury to Lorcan Barker, claimed 3-10 in 3.3 overs.

Stuart Christon caused panic in the Pikes’ ranks as he returned 6-83 in 24 overs. His efforts reduced the home side to 121-7 before Colin Frank (62) and George Barker (28no) added 60 for the eighth wicket.

At 181-7 with two overs to go, Pickering were poised for victory but Christon removed Frank with the first ball of the penultimate over and then took another wicket next ball.

Tony Evans defended the next four balls to leave Barker on strike for the last over. He struck a boundary to take his side to 185-9 but was unable to force victory – and there was still time for Thirsk to throw away a victory chance when Barker was dropped off the final delivery.

Andy Tute celebrated his return to the Acomb fold by taking 5-33 to ensure his side had the upper-hand in a draw at Harrogate. Earlier Richard Sykes had hit 76 and Matt Dale 33 in an Acomb total of 211-6.

Andy Hawkswell responded with 69, but Harrogate closed on 158-8.

Heworth’s Dan Walton took 9-39 in 14.4 overs to destroy Hull Zingari for 103. Wasim Akram’s 27 saw Heworth to a five-wicket win in 25.5 overs to keep them in touch with the division’s top two teams.

Driffield beat lowly Bolton Percy by 95 runs. Mick Drury made 48, Grant Holder 60 and Andy Chapman 61 in Driffield’s 242-9, with Danny White claiming 5-68 and Tom Atkinson 3-45.

Danny White followed up with 30 after John White had made 42, but Nick Johnson (3-32) and James Grieveson (4-27) polished the visitors off for 147.