SHB DOMINATE 2ND XI

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Malton played host to Sherriff Hutton Bridge for their fifth game of the season, fresh off the convincing victory the week previous against Rowntrees. Unlike the previous week, where the game took place in sultry conditions, this week was a game that was threatened by bad light and rain from the first ball to the last.

Taking into account the weather conditions, newly appointed captain Andrew Tyres won the toss and inserted Sherriff Hutton Bridge, hoping his young opening bowlers Tom Fussell and Oliver Gilbank would take early wickets to put the Bridge batting line up under pressure. Unfortunately, this did not happen, with Fussell bowling economically at one end, but Gilbank struggling for consistency at the other. Gilbank was replaced by Linsley, who was unlucky that some excellent bowling went unrewarded. Fussell ended his spell with the wicket of Bridge opener Eddie Hull for 29, adjudged LBW.

This brought youngster Mark Fisher to the crease, who survived a few early scares off the bowling of Linsley and Shane Bonser. Spin pairing Simon Cass and Lester Parkin then bowled with a degree of control to contain Bridge to 135 before a rain interruption cost Bridge 5 overs of their innings. After the rain break, Malton struggled in damp conditions with a wet ball, but Bonser took the second wicket of the innings, tempting opener Dave Ellis into lofting the ball into Adam Morley's hands for 52. Gilbank was given a second chance with the ball, but Fisher responded with shots all around the ground to bring Bridge up to 204-3, ending on 84 not out. Tom Fussell the pick of the Malton bowlers with 1-14 off 6 overs.

In reply, Malton began poorly, losing openers James Spencer and Lester Parkin cheaply to the bowling of Dave Houlridge. Linsley fell shortly after to leave Malton at 25-3, and centurion from the previous week, Shane Bonser fell leaving Malton staring down the barrel of a heavy defeat. After this, however, skipper Tyres and Danny Harper came together, to bring a little stability. The loss of Tyres for 21 was shortly followed by Morley to bring Cass to the crease.

A partnership of 49 between Harper and Cass was broken by a mistimed drive by Harper, caught at cover for 36. This brought Gilbank to the crease with ten overs remaining and only three wickets in hand. Cass then batted well to reach his half century, in an unbroken partnership of 44 with Gilbank to see Malton to a losing draw, Cass ending 54 not out.
Malton will need a much improved performance in their next game, with bat and ball, as well as in the field if they are to return with thirty points as they travel to Dringhouses.

Sherriff Hutton Bridge 204-3 Malton and Old Malton 160-7