MATCH REPORT - HELPERBY 3rd XI VS KILLINGHAL 2ND XI, 20TH APRIL 2008

Scorecard

Sunday 20th April saw the first game in the Nidderdale League for Helperby’s 3rd XI. The aim of the team is to extend opportunities for 45-over cricket to both the ever growing list of senior players at the Club as well as junior players in the U15 and over age groups. To this end the team for Sunday’s game against Killinghall 2nds comprised 5 senior and 6 junior players.

Losing the toss Helperby were put into bat in cold, damp and overcast conditions. Peter Mitchell and Joe Corner opened the batting and got off to a steady if slow start against some tight bowling. Whilst the pitch is vastly improved over last season runs are always going to be hard to come by at this time of year.

After the loss of Peter Mitchell for 8 Lawrence Mannion came in with great expectations resting on him to take apart the Killinghall attack. Unfortunately a rush of blood against Killinghall’s young leg spinner who was getting some good turn led to an early departure for 7.

After 17 overs Helperby were 20 for 2 and looking at defending a score of around 100. At this point Peter Townsend gave an excellent demonstration of aggressive batting scoring a quick fire 40. At the same time Joe Corner stepped up his scoring rate and the scoreboard started ticking over.

On Peter Townsend’s departure George Swiers (21 not out) and Joe Corner kept the score going at a healthy rate ably assisted by Chris Fryer (14), after Joe’s departure for a well crafted 51, with Helperby ending up at an excellent 168 for 6 after 45 overs.

In their reply Killinghall got off to an equally slow start against some excellent tight bowling from Joe Corner (6 overs for 7 runs) and Andrew Harrison (5 overs for 1 run). A change of bowling quickly paid off with George Swiers (6 overs, 3 wickets for 15 runs) Joe Jordan (5 overs, 2 wickets for 18 runs) and Oliver Swiers (5 overs, 1 wicket for 14 runs) scything through Killinghall’s top order.

The oldies (John Wilson, Chris Fryer and Rory Wade) stepped in with a few overs towards the end to finish off the tail although by that time the match had already been well and truly decided.

The bowlers were well supported by their fielders with good catches from Peter Mitchell, Peter Townsend, Andrew Harrison and Chris Fryer, smart work from Joe Jordan and Peter Townsend for a run out and again from Peter Townsend on a stumping to close the innings.

This was an excellent start to the season for the 3rds with the junior players contributing the majority of the runs (112 out of 149 off the bat), bowling the majority of the overs (27 out of 35) and taking most of the wickets (7 out of 10). Congratulations once again to Joe Corner on scoring his maiden half century.

Special mention should go to Jennie Wade and Debbie Mitchell for laying on a fantastic tea of hot soup and bacon roles to warm us all up enough to face the second half of a freezing cold match.