SHBCC News Round Up – August 2024
Overall, a mixed bag of results this month but again it is the juniors that lead the way. The U11s are now league and cup double winners having beaten Nawton Grange comprehensively in the playoff final. Rory Hollis and George Mann were the main wicket takers with 2 apiece with Otto Bowles the outstanding batter with 31, the last pair of Zac Powell and Nick Martinez-Armitage saw them home without any worry.
After losing in the cup final to Nawton Grange the U13s reversed the result in the playoff semi to book a place in the final against York. Batting first in the semi Nawton Grange were restricted to 101 with some very tight bowling, 3 wickets for 13 runs by Riley Hirst was the highlight. The same player together with Harry Goodwill, 29 and 24 respectively put them in a position for Reuban McBride and Ash Koneti to complete victory with an over to spare.
The U13s then went on to beat York in the final by 5 wickets. In a low scoring game on a difficult wicket the Bridge boys bowled well to keep York to 89 and knocked them off with two overs to spare. The wickets were shared but Riley Hirst with 3 at a miserly rate and Reuben McBride with 2 were the key with the younger back up bowlers doing their bit. Harry Goodwill again produced a great knock with 28 off 26 balls supported by an aggressive 22 off 12 by Reuban McBride. However, a special mention must go to Zac Powell who kept well on a difficult track and held an end to see the team home with 20 not out.
The U15s also bounced back from a cup final defeat at the hands of Acomb with a playoff semi win against Clifton Alliance. 50 from skipper Sam Giannini, backed up by Harry Goodwill and wickets from Sam Giannini, Alex Powell and Olly Lamb. They then went on to beat Heworth in the final by 11 runs. Batting first, good knocks on a difficult wicket from Sam Giannini and Harry Goodwill took the score to 102. Some great tight bowling, particularly from Reuban McBride (3-15) and fielding, including two run outs, restricted Heworth to 91. Skipper Sam Giannini was named man of the match by the umpires for his batting and “hostile” bowling in his final junior game.
The U11s, U13s and U15s contested all six league and cup finals available and brought home 4 trophies. An incredible achievement for the club and credit goes to all the coaches, scorers and back-up staff.
Hard for the seniors to follow that but one real highlight was the winning of the Midgley Cup for the 3rd team. Having restricted Kirella to 132 in 20 overs they knocked it off in 17 overs with a 50 for Rich Reynolds and 43 from Neil Cowton.
The 1st team have had a mixed month. A nail-biting win at Scarborough by one run where they scraped together a total of 169 but managed to get home with some steady bowling from the spinners accounting for 7 wickets. Driffield came to avenge the earlier defeat in the season and posted 254 with Dave Hull the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 57. The SHB reply was 43 short despite a great 91 from Adam Fisher. A poor loss to Harrogate by 92 runs chasing a meagre 184 after some great work by the 5 spinners was disappointing. Another loss to Castleford was a result of poor batting as opposed to poor bowling, 29 from Isaac Giannini was top score when much more substantial numbers are required. Things got back on track at Stamford Bridge where 1st XI chased down 197 after some fine bowling by Mak Fisher 3 for 32 and Jonty Moorhouse 3 for 33. Adam Fisher with 87 and Zeeshan Malik with his first 50 for the club and Sam Beales saw them home. They now sit 7th in the table with 4 to go. 5th or 6th would be fair reward for a hard season.
The 2nd XI has had a tough time. Losing to Fairburn by just 18 runs after a great bowling display by Tom Appleton, 5 for 46. The chase was spearheaded by Rob Stevens with 56 but when he went it was a tough ask for the tail. They then lost to Studley Royal by 3 wickets after posting 225 with a great knock of 66 by skipper Jack Hugill. It was a hard toil for the bowlers and apart from Ravaant Rakyan the total became difficult to defend. On to Harrogate who posted 223 which should have been gettable but faltered on 194 all out. Sam Giannini produced his best of the season with 4 for 27 off 13 but unfortunately to no avail. Ravaant Rakyan was the pick of the batters with 59 off 52 balls. Knaresborough, the league leaders away, was going to be difficult and turned out so losing by 7 wickets. Bowlers found life difficult as a collective and apart from a very good 57 from Harry Sutcliffe, 35 from Matt Maltby and 28 from Archie Goodwill the batters also struggled.
Malton and Old Malton brought a bit of respite with a good victory by 9 wickets. Malton were bowled out for 185 with the wickets shared. The reply was clinical with Rollo Storey 69 and Matt Malby 74 seeing the Bridge home.
The 3rd team have risen to 4th in the table with promotion in their sights. Wins against Saxton, Scarcroft, Copmanthorpe, Cawood and a concession was a good month. There have been some great highlights but Charlie Fosters 116 against Copmanthorpe was the highlight of all highlights. There has been some great support from stalwarts Dan Tuite and Neil Cowton.
The 4ths have had an in and out month with some great individual performances. Harry Goodwill produced another great knock with 59 off 47 in a losing cause against Woodhouse Grange and followed that up with 84 against Duncombe Park. The same lad got another 32 against New Earswick but was overshadowed by Rory Williams with 102 not out off 84 balls. Considering the number of juniors the 4ths are bring through sitting joint 8th is very creditable.