Match reports.
Yorkshire U14 Development v Staffordshire U14 Developement, held at Cannock CC on Tuesday 24th July 2018.
Yorkshire 270-8 (George Barden 83, Sam Meadows 42, Lewis Hogg 37*) beat Staffordshire 184 all out (Harry Dawson 4-42, Kieran Donnachie 3-32) by 86 runs.
Yorkshire U14 Development's 'mini-tour' began with a 45-over game against Staffordshire at Cannock CC.
On a hard, baked track, Yorkshire captian Kieran Donnachie won the toss and elected to bat first. After a quick start, Yorkshire lost both openers in quick succession, bringing Sam Meadows and George Barden together at the crease, with the score on 37-2. The two batted superbly to take the score to 133, before Meadows (42) was sadly run out. Barden pressed on whilst wickets fell at the other end, before he was dismissed for an impressive 83, caught in the deep going for the big shot with the score now on 190-7. With 10 overs still to go, Yorkshire were running the risk of not using up all the overs. However, Lewis Hogg (37*) and Harry Dawson (23*) batted with patience and skill to ensure Yorkshire finished on 270-8 at the half way stage.
In reply, Staffordshire got off to a great start and raced to 85 without loss in quick time. If this onslaught continued, it looked like Yorkshire's huge total might be under threat! The introduction of spin changed all that, as Dawson (4-42) and Donnachie (3-32) tore through the Staffordshire batting order before Kshitij Kapote (2-10) finished the job, as Staffs were dismissed for 184 all out.
Full scorecard available HERE.
Yorkshire U14 Development v Warwickshire U14 Developement, held at Kings Heath CC on Wednesday 25th July 2018.
Yorkshire 140 all out beat Warwickshire 134 all out (Nick Kelly 4-20, Harry Dawson 3-33) by 6 runs.
The second fixture of the mini-tour saw a very different game at Kings Heath CC, nestled in south Birmingham.
Yorkshire's captain Jack Brady won the toss and elected to bat on what looked a very good batting surface. Brady may have been regretting his decision quite soon after though as the pitch had plenty in it for both seam and spin. The Yorkshire batting line-up struggled to get on top of the Warwickshire bowling, with extras (31) the top score as the visitors were dismissed for 140 in 46 overs.
Yorkshire would have to put in a really special performance in the second innings to claim the victory here - and that's just what they did! Opening bowlers Lewis Hogg and Nick Kelly bowled with control, restricting the Warwickshire batsmen early on. By the time spin was introduced, in the form of Harry Dawson, Warwickshire's frustration was reaching boiling point. Dawson's spin was near unplayable as he claimed the wicket of three of the top four in quick succession. 17 overs in and Warwickshire were really struggling at 33-3. The hosts began to counter attack but only the Warwickshire number five seemed to be up to the task, as fellow Yorkshire spinners Alfie Spencer (2-18) and James Blackburn (1-15) continued to build the pressure. But, a partnership between the number five and eight took the score to 120-6 by the second drinks break at 34 overs. What was more was that the number five had been dropped on 20 and was now into the 40s and looked like sealing the game.
All seemed lost for the Yorkshire lads as they came in for a chat, with Warwickshire needing just 21 to win in 16 overs with 4 wickets left. After drinks, Brady rung the changes, bringing Kshitij Kapote and Nick Kelly back into the attack. Kapote kept things very tight from the bottom end whilst Kelly charged in from the top. 8 runs were added to the total before Kelly had the number five, caught excellently by Brady at slip. 128-7. Then he had the number 8 - an even better catch by Brady! 129-8. All were nervous now and the large crowd of travelling Yorkshire parents were almost silent with anticipation - minus the sound of nail-biting. Then another wicket fell! Bowled by Kelly! 130-9! Surely not! 11 to win for the hosts or 1 wicket for the visitors. The number 11 smashed one for four through mid wicket before, later in the over he was struck in front... Up shot the umpire's finger to make it 134 all out and an excellent win for the Yorkshire boys, who had shown tremendous character, determination and work rate in a very driven performance in the field! Kelly finished his second spell with 3.3 overs, 4-7.
Full scorecard available HERE.
An excellent couple of wins of a very different nature, showing a whole host of cricketing qualities from everyone in the team.
The next game for the U14 Development side sees them entertain Lancashire in a 2 day fixture at Ossett CC on 6th/7th August.