WEIR GAINS FIRST WICKETS FOR MALTON
Malton travelled into York to play Dringhouses off the back of a disappointing performance against Sheriff Hutton Bridge. A heavy shower before the start of the game prompted the Dringhouses captain to put Malton into bat in conditions that looked conducive to swing bowling.
Skipper Andy Tyres opened up with Lester Parkin and Tyres fell in the first over. This brought debutant Greg Weir to the crease, who failed to make an impact with the bat after top edging a hook shot into the hands of square leg. Tony Linsley came in at four with the score at 4-2. Linsley and Parkin attempted to rebuild the innings, but Dringhouses, with only ten players, were excellent in the field, and Linsley in particular hit the fielders on several occasions, before he fell to the bowling of Thrall.
Once again Parkin tried to rebuild, but on a slow outfield, and some excellent fielding, Parkin and Bonser struggled to keep the scoreboard moving. When Parkin fell for 18, followed by Bonser for 16, the scoreboard read 57-5 with only 18 overs of the innings remaining. Simon Cass came out looking to increase the run rate, and the score towards a competitive total. Despite adding a quickfire 18 out of the 20 runs he and Harper accumulated together, his first game as vice captain was not to be a high scoring game, as he went for one big shot too many, and was caught.
Stu Watmore returned to his old club, and together with Harper took Malton into the final five overs. Harper fell for 34, and Oliver Gilbank joined Watmore and added 18 off 10 balls to accelerate the innings up towards Malton's final score of 160 all out, Watmore last man out for 37, bowled by ex teammate Brendan Walsh, pick of the Dringhouses bowlers with 3-30.
Malton opening bowlers Tom Fussell and Gilbank came out bowling to attacking fields, and Gilbank took his first wickets of the season for the Second XI, having both openers caught, by Tyres and Bonser respectively in a good opening spell. Fussell again bowled economically and was unfortunate not to be rewarded for his efforts. Bonser and Watmore bowled very tight spells, Bonser conceding just 1 run off his 4 overs.
Weir made up for his low score with the bat with an excellent spell, bowling many balls that passed the outside edge. Weir finally got his deserved maiden wicket for Malton as well as a run out with a fine fielding effort, and Cass and Linsley were also used in an attempt to break the partnerships that threatened Malton's winning charge. Parkin was introduced for a short two over spell, and took the wicket the marked the beginning of the end for Dringhouses. Gilbank and Weir returned, Gilbank taking his third wicket, catching a skied drive from Storr off his own bowling. Weir then stole the show with three wickets in what turned out to be the final over of the game to finish with 4-20, going with Gilbank's 3-22, to clinch 30 points for Malton.
Malton travel to Dunnington next week, hoping to replicate an excellent team performance, and hope the poor forecast will not scupper their chances of 90 overs of cricket.
Malton and Old Malton II; 160 all out beat Dringhouses II; 86 all out by 74 runs.