SHBCC News Update – May 2026
Matthew Fisher has been returned to the England squad for the June tests against New Zealand. The club wishes him well.
Having completed pre-season preparations the first real test came on the 25th April with the 1st XI taking on Stamford Bridge away. Despite looking in trouble at 204 all out, Mark Fisher top score on 52, they went on to bowl Stamford Bridge out for 91 with Mark Fisher and Will Bennison with 3 wickets each.
The 2nd XI welcomed Welton from the Humber, bowling them out for 176, with Dave Hull the leading wicket taker with 5 for 46 off 13 overs. Sam Giannini and Olly Shepherd took two apiece and new boy Tommy Botha impressed, bowling 13 overs, 1 for 29. The Bridge knocked them off for the loss of 5 wickets with Olly Shepherd 50, backed up by Jack Hugill 34.
The 3rds and 4ths also had convincing wins over Hovingham 1s and 2s respectively. Standout for the 3s was Dan Tuite and Danny Cass with the ball taking 3 wickets a piece in a demolition job. Having bowled Hovingham out for 77 they knocked them off for loss of one wicket with Rich Reynolds top score on 33. The 4ths batting first posted 209 with scores from the “Smalls” of 49 and 56. Hovingham were all out 146 with the Smalls again to the fore with 5 wickets between them, Conor Petch had an excellent return with 3 for 37.
Sunday 26th saw a nailbiter in the National Village cup first round against Dunnington. Batting first Dunnington built a formidable 211 in 40 overs. Wickets were shared with Sam Giannini and Danny Cass two each. Jack Hugill gave Bridge a great start with 69 followed by Harry Sutcliffe with 57, still needing 6 of the last over Sam Giannini (20 no) managed 2 of the last ball to win by 1 wicket.
The ‘wheels came off’ for the 1st XI in their next game against Clifton Alliance, being bowled out for 69 and losing by 7 wickets. The 2nd XI continued where they left off amassing a total of 306 for 4 against Patrington to win by 164 runs. The openers set the pace with Oli Shepherd 80 and Jack Hugill 119. The bowlers shared the wickets with Tommie Botha picking up 3 for 38.
The 3rd team dispatched Bishopthorpe for 106 with Danny Cass and Matt Maltby 3 wickets a piece. Maltby then top scored with 54 off 36 balls to win in 21 overs.
The 4ths had an equally convincing win over Copmanthorpe. Batting first and setting a decent 188 for Cop to chase. Dave Sladen made a maiden century at a run a ball and was well backed up by 14-year-old Otto Bowles with 31. Copmanthope ended on 151 for 8 with Max Laycock taking 3 for 19 off 7 overs. A great result from a very young side.
The 1st XI eventually got a home match against bottom of the table Beverley and won albeit winning ugly. In a rain affected match, Beverley batted first and posted 142 in 38 overs Mark Fisher was the pick of the bowlers taking 3 for 30 in 8 overs. Chasing it down became somewhat of a problem with only Matthias Paltridge getting double figures until Ben Gill got 29. The target was reduced to 96 in 20 overs due to DLS which was reached with the loss of 8 wickets.
The 2nd XI ended up in a battle royal at Woodhouse Grange. Batting first and thanks to a great 85 from 16 year old opener Olly Shepherd posted 214 for 9. In difficult conditions, this probably looked like 20 or 30 short. However, with some tidy bowling Bridge crept home by 5 runs. Tommie Botha bowled the last over with Woodhouse needing 7 to win, he did it for the loss of 2 runs.
The 3rd XI had an easy win away at York who were bowled out for 108. Chris Small taking 4 for 24 off 8 overs. Rich Reynolds 45 no and Matthew Maltby 60 no off 35 balls made short work of the reply.
The 4th XI game unfortunately succumbed to the weather.
Sunday 10th May brought the 2nd round of the National Village cup with Saturdays foes Woodhouse coming to the Castle and going home with a convincing win against a young Bridge side. Woodhouse posted 288 in 40 overs with Sam Giannini and Dan Tuite getting 3 wickets apiece. Bridge were bowled out for 120 with only youngster George Hanson doing any damage with 34.
The following Saturday, the 1st XI were away at Knaresborough where several batsmen returned to form. Alex Wood 74 and Wills Bennison 82 give the impetuous to reach 244. In a rain affected second half Knaresborough were 92 for 3 and lost on Duckworth Lewis.
The 2nd XI played York. Batting first York posted 230 with wickets shared but Tommie Botha’s 3 for 48 in 13 overs the pick. In a rain affected second half the match ended with the Bridge needing 50 in 11 overs but losing on Duckworth Lewis by 12 runs for a disappointing 2 points.
The 3rd XI had a good win at Tadcaster bowling the opposition out for 111. Skipper, Dan Tuite with 3 for 25, Rich Armitage 4 for 39 topped off by Chris Small with 3 for 14.
The 4th XI also had a good win against Dunnington. SHB posted 177 with youngster Ash Koneti getting 40 and, the not so young, Travis Bowles 43 followed up by another good knock of 40 from George Mann. In a good chase, Dunnington only managed 155 in their 40 overs with another youngster Zac Powell taking 4 for 37. All four teams sit in the top 2 in their leagues.
The T20 Blast group day came on Sunday 17th with Knaresborough and Harrogate the guests at the Bridge. Knaresborough came first with a convincing win for Bridge. Second game Knaresborough unexpectedly beat Harrogate. All Bridge had to do was win or lose with decent net run rate, unfortunately they did neither and Harrogate went through.
The juniors collectively are doing well. For the first time ever the club put out an u7s side in the U9 league to give them match experience. They lost by a narrow margin with William H and Jacob E both batting well.
The U13s have made a great start, the highlight being a 54 run victory over a traditionally strong Nawton Grange side. George Mann, Rory Small and Toby Metcalfe all retired no with 30+. Mann was the pick of the bowlers with 5 for 7 off his 4 overs.
The U15 also have had a great start with a 113 run victory over Clifton. Opener Wilf Metcalfe retired on 50no with the next 3 all getting 30+. Clifton only managed 58 for 3 in their 18 overs. They also disposed of Dunnington by 9 wickets, bowling them out for 70. Wickets were shared, but Ben Popplewell only went for 7 runs in 3 overs for his two. This year the U15s are in the National Knockout and played York in the first round winning easily in the end of a low scoring game. York were bowled out for 64 with the pick of the bowlers Max Laycock with 3 for 8 and Wilf Metcalfe 1 over 2 for 2. Making heavy weather on a slow pitch it was all over in the 16th with Jake Popplewell and George Hanson 18 top scorers.
The Vale Sunday team are progressing well and developing some good youngsters.