Match reports.
Yorkshire U15 Dev vs Northumberland U17
The toss was always likely to be crucial on a damp and green wicket at Tynemouth. With the threat of rain looming over the two days it was credit to the ground staff that the game started on time with Yorkshire being asked to bat. Soon in trouble at 15-2, with Meadows and Mindham bowled, it was left to Blackburn and Kapote to get through to lunch unscathed. This looked to have been achieved until, on the stroke of lunch, Blackburn was bowled for 34 by the off spin of Hull-Denhom. With Yorkshire resuming on 60-3, only an hour and half extra play was possible due to heavy rain, meaning Male and Harrison would come back on Day 2 with the board showing 106-4 from 54 overs.
A decision was made overnight to play a single innings match of 80 overs.
Yorkshire resumed and quickly lost Harrison, run out for 20. Skipper Male batted beautifully with the tail for his 69, but when he was caught at long off from the spin of Johnson, Yorkshire's hopes of posting a competitive total looked challenging. Shinwari had other ideas and in a 30-ball 48, which included some mighty blows, the team got to 222 all out in their allotted 80 overs. Fletcher (3-39) and Boaden (2-33) were the pick of the home team attack.
Northumberland would have just over two sessions to reach their target, with a tricky spell before lunch to navigate. This proved to be so as two wickets in two balls saw Didguinaitis take advantage of the bowler friendly conditions and, at lunch on day 2, the match was in the balance with Northumberland on 13-2. Wickets fell at regular intervals in the crucial afternoon session with Spencer, Blackburn (with the key one of Gardiner for a solid 50) and Hogg picking up wickets to see the home team at 122/6.
The final session saw every result a possibility and a counter attacking partnership between Boaden and Snowdon got Northumberland to 174-7 before Mindham struck to force a catch to square leg. With Snowdon still at the crease and batting with authority, he needed a partner to get the hosts over the line, But Scott was stumped off Mindham and the game was gone. Northumberland U17 fell 22 runs short in what was a very entertaining match. Blackburn (3-19), Mindham (2-26), Spencer (2-43) bowled their spin well in the conditions with (Didguinaitis 2-31) giving the innings the required start with his accurate seam.
Yorkshire U15 Dev vs Buckinghamshire
After winning the toss on a good Doncaster pitch, Yorkshire hoped to post a score of over 200 in their 50 overs, in the final fixture of a strong season. Blackburn and Meadows took the home team to 80-0 at the half way stage, knowing this was a platform to that score, as they played with measure and control. However, two quick wickets after drinks and some tight bowling saw the home side struggle to a below par 199, with a late flurry from Shinwari adding some respectability to the innings. Blackburn top scored with 43. Ramanadanpulle (4-34) showed control with his off spin and was the pick of the bowlers.
After tea, Buckinghamshire were soon in trouble with Shinwari taking two wickets quickly, followed by Didgiunaitis with a brace, and the visitors were 24-4. However skipper Angell was joined by Mercer and this pair took the innings to 155-5, with Angell taking control with a superb unbeaten century at a run a ball, which saw the visitors home with 3 overs to spare. Late wickets couldn’t change the outcome and Yorkshire would reflect on a batting innings that was slightly below par and this left the door open for Buckinghamshire to travel home with a well deserved victory.