SHBCC News Round Up – August 2025
This month started with a total washout of all games on both Saturday and Sunday.
A week later the 1st XI visited York in a game that could go a long way to deciding the Premier Division title. SHB unfortunately came up short being beaten by 10 wickets despite posting a respectable 243. However, the 1sts are still in second place but now need favours from other teams to beat Castleford – but there is still a long way to go. The 1st XIs next fixture was at Beverley needing a win to maintain pressure on the top. After being asked to bat they compiled an imposing 267 with Alex Liley leading the way with a century backed up by opening partner Alex Wood with 41 and Will Bennison 32. Beverley were bowled out for 130 with Mark Fisher leading from the front with 5 for 32. Next it was back home at the Bridge for the visit of league leaders Castleford. A must win game resulted in a resounding victory. Bridge won the toss and fielding first bowled out Castleford for 156. Five bowlers shared the wickets with two each with Tom Shorthouse going for little over 2 an over. Alex Wood and Alex Liley got the reply off to a great start with Liley out for 56 and Wood staying to the end with an unbeaten 79.
After being rained off at Dunnington the 2nd XI took on Osbaldwick at the Bridge. The visitors won the toss and batting first posted a credible 228. Dan Tuite removed the first of their stubborn openers before 16-year-old Sam Giannini’s second spell removed the middle and lower order for 16 finishing with 5 for 23 off 11 overs. The chase was led by Matthais Paltridge who secured another hundred in the last over to complete the victory. He was ably supported by 17-year-old Rollo Storey who, coming in at 5 down for 151 with work to do finished up with an impressive 50 off 46 balls including 10 fours.
The trip to Studley Royal was always going to be tough and so it turned out. Having won the toss and put them in the bowling was indifferent with only Adi Mydeo making inroads with six wickets albeit at a cost of seven per over allowing Studley to post a challenging 257, the largest total that we have been asked to chase this season! Batting was mixed with our top four, normally so reliable, failing to get going. The middle order gave hope for a recovery with Isaac Giannini 60 and Kiran Chakraborty 50 bringing Bridge back into the game but the tail didn’t wag and were all out for 216. This was enough to secure two points which could be very important in the final reckoning.
South Milford came up next at the Bridge, who having won the toss and electing to bat but were quickly dispatched in 28 overs for 78. Sam Giannini started with his usual economic spell to put the pressure on before Dean Coote went through the opposition with a terrific 6 for 26 off 9 overs. Bridge knocked them off with the loss of two wickets with Matthias Paltridge 32 no and Kiran Chakraborty 25 no.
Next a visit to Whitkirk which secured the 10 points needed to maintain Bridge’s position as the league leaders. Put into bat Whitkirk managed 157 all out with Sam Giannini taking 4 wickets for 21 at an economy of 1.75. He was joined by his cousin Reuben McBride, making his championship debut at 14, producing figures of 9 overs, none for 26. Jonty Moorhouse joined in with 3 for 49. Bridge’s fielding really improved this week with some great catches being held. True to form, openers Matthais Paltridge and Jack Hugill give Bridge a great start with 67 and 81 not out respectively to wrap it up in 22 overs.
The 3rd XI were handed 10 points by a concession from Dringhouses, which with the wet week before that made 14 points without playing a match!
They then welcomed Bolton Percy to the Castle who were inserted and went on to post 218/5. Youngster Harry Goodwill maintained his good form with the bat, scoring 44 but in the end, Bridge were all out 178.
A visit to Woodhouse Grange came next. Winning the toss and batting openers Naithan McBride and Alex Bell with 47 and 22 got them off to a solid start. Rob Stevens and Harry Goodwill entered the fray and upped the pace with Stevens 58 and Goodwill 72 no. Dan Tuite finished off with a quick fire 35 off 20. A total of 254 looked good enough but Woodhouse started well until father and son Bowles came on after16 overs, Magnus took out the top order finishing with 3 for 41 leaving Travis to clear the rest with a magnificent 6 for 45 and Woodhouse all out 191.
The 4th XI welcomed New Earswick who posted 250/5. This was a big ask with Bridge bowled out for 128. Bowling wise George Bell (another junior starting to show his class with leg spin) bowled 10 overs, 2 for 66. Malton and Old Malton were the next up where the Bridge, put into bat, posted 210 all out. Top score was Dave Sladen with 34 but again youngsters Otto Bowles, Magnus Bowles and Zach Powell all contributed significant scores. Bowling success was down to youngsters again with Magnus Bowles 5/14 off 8 overs, Jai Prasad 3/37 at the front of the attack and miserly leg spin from George Bell.
The Vale XI visited Dunnington and won by 6 wickets. Dunnington all out for 69 thanks to great opening bowling from 13-year-old Ash Koneti with 4 for 18 and the leg spin of 12-year-old George Bell with incredible figures of 5 for 6. Mention must also go to 12-year-old Ben Popplewell making his senior debut with one wicket from 4 overs for 14. The whole attack were juniors! Alex Bell top scored with 34. The return fixture came the following week with Dunnington seeking revenge which they duly inflicted by 8 wickets. Batting first Bridge got 136 with Danny Kieran a great 46 followed up by Tom Dodson with a solid 35. Apart from Max Laycock with 10 overs for 28 runs Dunnington could not be stopped and won with ease.
Since we introduced a youth policy some 5 years ago its success has not just been evident on the field but in the confidence it has given so many youngsters. On any given weekend we are fielding upwards of 16 players aged between 12 and 16. Many of these will hopefully develop into Yorkshire league cricketers.
The U11s lost narrowly to Nawton Grange in the cup final. Putting Nawton in Bridge were asked to chase 107 but came up eleven short. Drummer Wigley top scored with 30 retired.
The U13s reached the final of the League Playoff with a resounding victory over York. Fielding first, the Bridge bowled York out for 57 in 17overs with Harry Watts the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 14. Zach Powell and Ash Koneti made light work of the chase with 17 and 24 respectively. They played Acomb in the final but unfortunately lost by 7 wickets. Despite sound batting performances from Ash Koneti and Tom Murdie a total of 79 wasn’t going to be enough. Jai Prasad was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets for only for 8 runs in his 4 overs.
The U15 are in the playoffs for the league cup by beating Heworth in a tense game where net run rate would decide who went through. Heworth elected to bat and were held to 86 with wickets for Reuban McBride, Harry Goodwill and Max Laycock. The reply was based on a great knock from Harry Goodwill with 50 no. Bridge will play Acomb in the semi-final.