Gannock Draw for 2's

Malton and Old Malton II 189-8 vs. Heworth II 130-5

Malton began their season with a solid opening day performance against Heworth II. On a day perfect for the first game of the season, new captain John Foxton lost the toss and was invited to bat by the visitors. Openers Andrew Tyres and Lester Parkin got through a tricky opening spell and soon the runs flowed, Parkin playing an early contender for shot of the day with a cover drive for four early in his innings.

Tyres then took over, hitting three fours in one over, before the dismissal of Parkin for 15, caught in the slips. After a good opening stand of 59, Malton lost their way slightly, losing Tyres for a well made 38, Tom Hodgson for 7, and Simon Cass was clean bowled for 4. This brought together the experienced pair of skipper Foxton, and Tony Linsley, who put on 82 for the 5th wicket, with some intelligent running between the wickets keeping the scoreboard ticking along towards a competitive target. Foxton fell soon after reaching his 50, with the score on 172 with overs running out. Jim Dawson lost his wicket looking to accelerate the innings towards 200, closely followed by Linsley, run out for 40 after a mix up with debutant Stu Watmore. Oliver Gilbank fell for just 2, leaving Wayne Cullen and Watmore to wrap up the innings, both ending 2 not out, to take Malton to 189-8. Trevor Walton the pick of the Heworth bowlers with 4-27.
 

Heworth's innings got off to a steady start with opening bowlers Linsley and Gilbank bowling tight opening spells, as well as tight fielding from Tom Hodgson in the infield saving runs, and wicketkeeper Simon Hird tidying up behind the stumps. Linsley, with economical figures of 0-8 off his 5 overs was replaced in the attack by Cass who broke the opening partnership, luring the batsman into an aerial drive well caught by Parkin at mid off. Gilbank finished off his opening spell, finishing with final figures of 0-24 off his 9 overs, replaced by Watmore, who along with Cass built pressure which led to a steady run of wickets, Cass's use of flight and variation of pace tempting the batsman into drives, caught at short cover by Dawson and mid on by Linsley, as well as a ripping off break bowling a Heworth batsman to leave them staring down the barrel. Watmore, with 1-20, and his first Malton wicket, took the fifth wicket of the innings, after Cass missed a golden opportunity for a five wicket haul, dropping a skied return catch off his own bowling. Cass finished with excellent figures of 4-33 off his allotted 12 overs.

Heworth batsmen Joel Johnson and Tom Allen then dropped anchor, batting for well over 25 overs for their partnership of just 68, Johnson hitting 28 off 97, not out after 45 overs with Allen also not out on 31, the Heworth innings closing on 130-5, with Cullen, Dawson, Parkin and Tyres all given the opportunity to make a breakthrough in an attempt to move the game along.
 

Overall, a positive start to the season for the seconds, with those still finishing off the extended football season to return, ahead of a trip to Acomb next week.