Match report from Staffordshire.
On Tuesday 25th July, Yorkshire U13A played Staffordshire U13 in the ESCA Northern Counties Championship away at Checkley CC. Before the start of the game the weather was damp and overcast. Staffordshire won the toss and elected to bat.
George Horbury and Joe Norbury opened the bowling and once again they bowled tightly managing to restrict Staffordshire to 19-1 in the first 10 overs with Joe taking the wicket. Staffordshire took the score on to 62 before the second wicket fell to a run out from Harry Allinson. All the Yorkshire bowlers bowled well and restricted Staffordshire on an excellent wicket to 144-6 in their 45 overs. The wickets were shared around with Joe Norbury, Rhys Ditta, Noah Priestley and Harry Watkinson all taking one apiece. George Horbury also had a run out.
In reply, Yorkshire started well and Matthew Weston and Olly Lamb had taken the score onto 27 before Matthew was out for 10 in the eighth over. Alex Cree then joined Olly at the crease and together they showed what a good wicket it was as they guided the team over the line. Olly scored a superb 98 not out (102 balls, eleven 4s and three 6s) and 12 year old Alex scored a solid 36 not out (63 balls, four 4s) to give Yorkshire a 9 wicket win in the 31st over.
This was Yorkshire U13As fourth win from five games in the ESCA Northern Counties Championship. Their final game in the qualifying stage is against Warwickshire at Blackley CC on 15th August. The top 2 sides from the qualifying stage meet in the Final which will be held at Woodhouse Grange CC on 27th August.