Cricket returned this week as the league campaign got underway at Norwood Recreation Ground for Beverley Cricket Club 1 XI this weekend with Easingwold providing the opposition.
Winning the toss, Beverley fielded first in cool conditions which favours the fielding side. Superb opening spells of bowling from Keiran Thompson and Matthew Mudd with both bowlers striking early leaving the visitors on 23/2.
Newcomer Will Roobottom making his debut for Beverley claimed a wicket in his first over and at 43/4 Beverley were in complete control. A 6th wicket stand of 53 gave Easingwold some momentum and it was down to skipper Jonathan Fisher to get the breakthrough with his first of 3 wickets.
The returning opening bowlers both claimed wickets later on in the innings but big hitting at one end from Easingwold batsmen Mark Haines was keeping them in the game, on 94 it was one big shot too many and Fisher clean bowled Haines to deny him is century.
Easingwold’s innings closed on 206 which was a just below par score and one that Beverley must have viewed as an easily reachable target for a full 30 points.
Beverley’s innings got underway with openers Ben Fish and Anthony Spence at the crease but the Easingwold attack proved too good and both openers fell for single figure scores.
Olly Grantham looked back to his old form until a poor LBW decision sent Olly back to the dressing room for 43.
With 2 more wickets falling quickly Beverley had slumped to 88/5 and if it wasn’t for a superbly controlled innings by Jon Vodden then Beverley could have opened the league campaign with a heavy defeat.
Vodden batted well within himself and finished on 54 not out off 89 balls, usually enough balls for him to score over 100.
He was well supported by debutant Will Roobottom (23) and a short flurry of runs from veteran Alan Acklam (26) took the Beverley innings just 19 runs short of outright victory.
Commenting on the game the Skipper, Fisher said;
“All in all it was a good start to the season for the us, taking 18 points from the side who last year finished in second place, never an easy task.”
“If we bring our best performances to the field in future matches then there is no reason why we won’t be in the mix at the top of the league.”
Next weeks fixture is away to Acomb who have returned to the premier division.
