Match reports.
Yorkshire U12A v Staffordshire - Sunday 14th July 2019 at Oulton CC
Yorkshire won the toss and fielded on a green looking pitch, following the rain in the week leading up to the game. Staffs were soon in trouble with the pace and bounce in the pitch. Wickets fell at regular intervals, preventing any momentum in the Staffs innings, as Lewis Ainley, with excellent bowling of 5 overs, 3 wickets for 9 runs, backed up by William Cross’s 2 wickets for 1 run, mopped up the middle order and the tail to leave Staffs 66 all out.
After a quick change round with tea taken at the end of the match, Yorkshire suffered an early setback before Zaki Anjum (13) steadied the ship and Tom Fraine (20*) and Owen Smith (17*) successfully reached the Staffs total for an emphatic eight wicket win. Another excellent all round display by Yorkshire.
Yorkshire U12A v Notts - Thursday 25th July 2019 at Ordsall Bridon CC
On a sweltering hot day in Notts, the hosts won the toss and batted first in perfect batting conditions. Notts made a cautious start but, with the introduction of spin, the scoring rate slowed down and wickets fell at regular intervals, preventing any momentum in the Notts innings. Ed Burch (after a change of bowling ends) finished with excellent bowling of 8 overs, 4 wickets for 9 runs, backed up by 3 run outs which left Notts 121 all out.
William Cross was given his chance at the top of the order to open with Zaki Anjum. Notts opened with two pacey opening bowlers who were getting both pace and bounce out of the wicket and giving the Notts keeper a difficult time behind the wickets. After 2 early chances were dropped behind the wicket, which could have left Yorkshire 3 for 2, Anjum and Cross settled into their stroke play to set up a winning position for Yorkshire. Both batted very well in the searing heat. Cross made 36 and Zaki Anjum (51*) and Tom Fraine(22*) led Yorkshire past the Notts total to another comfortable victory.
Yorkshire U12A v Lancashire - Friday 26th July 2019 at Nelson CC
Yorkshire won the toss and batted on a hard, green looking pitch on a perfect day for scoring runs. Lancashire bowled tightly in the first 15 overs and Yorkshire lost early wickets before Will Bennison, on his promotion from the development team after an outstanding run of form, steadied the ship along with Owen Smith (17). Runs started to come freely and Yorkshire were building a sizeable total as Bennison moved past his 50. He was ably supported by Harvey Laverack (26), another player promoted from the development squad. Bennison was now playing shots all round the wicket as he moved through the 70s and 80s. Again he was well supported by this time Joe Thompson, with a quick fire 21. Bennison eventually fell for a superb 93 as late runs by both Jack Diffey and no. 11 Lewis Ainley pushed the Yorkshire total up to a formidable 196.
Lancashire were soon in trouble in reply with the pace and accuracy of the Yorkshire attack. Wickets fell at regular intervals and prevented a serious effort at knocking off the required runs. Flintoff tried in vain to hold their innings together with his 49, but ultimately Yorkshire scored too many runs. Charlie Taylor (5-2-5-2) and again Ed Burch (6-2-9-2) were the most successful bowlers as Lancashire finished on 120 in their 40 overs. Another very good all round performance from the under 12As in all departments. The question now is could the U12s go through the season unbeaten - as they are now unbeaten in 6 games.