Kelfield vs Askham I
Kelfield 194-8 beat Askham Bryan I 60 all out by 134 runs View Photos
After the Friday night deluge, Askham I travelled to Kelfield hoping for good weather in order to get a game. And that they got – a strong breeze and dose of sunshine left them with a bouncy wicket at Kelfield, where skipper Dale elected to bowl. The team included a couple of new faces, including returning players Mike Hodgkinson and John “blue cross sale” Lewis for their first games of the season.
Woody and Zee opened – they were quick and accurate, but no chances came. Woody came off after 6 overs to be replaced by Albert, who bowled two four balls and then snaffled one of the openers, who was taken by a rather marvellous catch by Zee in the covers. Zee then profited with a wicket himself, much deserved after some tight bowling.
Mike Hodgkinson bowled his first overs of the season replacing Zeeand was fiery, getting a lot of lift and bounce. Kelfield continued to score though, with Smith (who scored 150 the week before) profiting off any bad balls. In Albert’s final over, he launched one towards Hodge on the straight hit, but he couldn’t quite keep hold of it and he was let off…
The team plugged away, with Woody replacing Albert to try and make a further breakthrough. He did, and wickets began to fall for Kelfield. However, Smith ploughed on and his ton came up. Prateek bowled a couple from the “not the bales of hay” end but was wicketless, and Woody and Zee finished off the innings, Woody ending up with 5-14.
The tea wasn’t bad, though there was no melon.
Doug Strachan and Phil Allen opened the batting and started off well, until Doug didn’t pick up a full toss and was caught. Prateek came in next, and Askham’s best period with the bat followed, with both players looking very comfortable on the short ball and hooking them away for four. However, Prateek was bowled, followed by Woody for a first ball duck, and Zeeshan shortly after.
Albert Hall came in at six, with a slight nosebleed from batting so high in the order. He outlasted Phil Allen, who was replaced by Phil Theobold, who told the close infielders he was going to hit them for six. And positive he was too! Albert meanwhile missed a straight one shortly after for 4, and in came the skipper. Phil eventually perished, followed by Rob for 5 runs, who was pleased to outscore his vice-captain. Job done.
This left Praveen and Mike Hodgkinson at the crease. Mike batted in his usual idiosyncratic style (that’s a slightly politer way of saying erratic). Praveen was unfortunate to get out, and in came John Lewis for his first bat of the season. He promptly scored his first runs, and he and Hodge scored a handful, before John was dismissed and the team were all out.
Overall, a moral victory following a few good wins…However, in spite of the score, the fielding was generally of a very high standard all round, with a special mention going to Praveen for his rock solid performance.