Match reports.
Sunday 18th August 2019 - vs Surrey - 45 overs
Yorkshire 127-6 (26.4 overs) beat Surrey 123 all out by 4 wickets
Yorkshire won the toss and fielded first on a green wicket and wet outfield on day 1 of the Rugby Festival. Surrey lost wickets at regular intervals and were 25-2 after 10 overs. Once again, the introduction of off spinner Ed Burch turned the innings in Yorkshire’s favour as he bowled 8 overs, 3-16, to leave Surrey 87-7 in the 26th over. Lewis Ainley (2-15) and William Cross (1-2) mopped up the tail as Surrey were bowled out for 123 in the 35th over.
After a good start to the reply, Surrey made their first breakthrough with 20 runs on the board. Cross soon followed but Will Bennison (28) steadied the ship and was well supported by Tom Fraine (47) as they put on 66 for the 3rd wicket. A mini collapse ensued but Yorkshire finally knocked off the runs in 27 overs.
Monday 19th August 2019 - vs Middlesex - T20
Yorkshire 127-7 (20 overs) beat Middlesex 40 for 3 off 9 overs by 12 runs (DLS method)
Yorkshire won the toss and batted in their first T20 on day 2. Yorkshire made steady progress through their innings, led by Owen Smith (36) and was supported by Alex Wade (13) and Joe Thompson (20). Late runs by Lewis Ainley (16*) and William Cross (13) pushed Yorkshire up to 127 in their 20 overs.
Middlesex were 18-3 after 5 overs with William Cross (2-19) and Charlie Taylor (1-10) making the early breakthroughs. Unfortunately after 9 overs with Absar Muhammed (31*) playing some excellent shots, there was thunder overhead followed by heavy rain. The organisers decided to move onto the 3rd fixture of the week after an early lunch was taken with Yorkshire 12 runs ahead on the Duckworth Lewis method.
Monday 19th August 2019 - vs Staffordshire - T20
Yorkshire 70-5 (11.4 overs) beat Staffordshire 69-8 by 5 wickets
Yorkshire lost the toss and Staffs batted on a wicket where it was agreed all overs were to be bowled at one end due to a wet patch just behind one of the bowling ends. Wickets fell at regular intervals to leave Staffs at 29-7 off 12 overs, largely thanks to Ed Burch (2-7) and Alex Wade (3-7). Staffs managed to muster a few runs in the last 6 overs to finish on 69, led by Seth Bridgwood (27).
Runs came freely throughout the Yorkshire reply, led by a very aggressive Owen Smith (40) as Yorkshire raced to 68 for 2 off 10 overs. A late mini collapse then ensued with just 2 runs to win due to Ali Latif (3-2), but the runs were eventually knocked off for a comfortable victory.
Tuesday 20th August 2019 - vs Warwickshire - 45 overs
Warwickshire 212-7 (45 overs) beat Yorkshire 156 all out (40 overs) by 56 runs
Warwickshire won the toss and chose to bat first in perfect batting conditions. After two early breakthroughs, Daanyaal Mahmood (53) and Yusuf Akbar (69*) steadied the Warwickshire innings to set the base for a large total. Ed Burch (3-29) and Jack Diffey (2-18) were the leading wicket takers, but catches were dropped as Yorkshire tried hard to keep the total to under 180. Late runs by Archie Willox (34*) pushed the total past 200 as Warwickshire finished 212-7 off their 45 overs.
Chasing a challenging total and needing a solid start, Yorkshire wickets fell at regular intervals as no one could make a match winning innings. Most batters managed to get to double figures, led by William Cross (24) and Owen Smith (19) but J Vaughan (4-24) followed by H Ingram (2-29) and Isaac Mohammed (2-20) the fight out of Yorkshire. Joe Thompson (16*) and Lewis Ainley (14) tried hard in the final 15 overs but Yorkshire were eventually bowled out for 156.
Another very enjoyable experience at the Rugby Festival for players, staff and parents and a special mention to Paul Greetham, the Warwickshire director of cricket, and Mike Powell, Head of Cricket at Rugby School, for organising and running an outstanding festival of cricket.