Forging ahead against champs
Forge Valley produced a huge shock, beating Premier Division champions and title-chasers Staxton by 19 runs.
Forge Valley produced a huge shock, beating Premier Division champions and title-chasers Staxton by 19 runs. Sean Pinder top-scored with 66 in Valley’s 166-9, Will Tindall also adding 32, with Dan Outhart (2-22) and Adam Hargreaves (2-29) impressing with the ball for Staxton.
Tyler Beck then stunned Staxton’s batting line-up, claiming 5-34 alongside Pinder (3-23) as only Liam Scott (29) got going with the bat as they were 147 all out.
Staithes failed to capitalise on Staxton’s defeat as they lost their first game of the season by just nine runs at Nawton Grange.
Grangeposted149-9,Jonny Pickard hitting 50 and Jodie Robson 33, before Staithes were all out for 140 in reply, ag- onisingly short of their target.
Two other sides who are fancied to mount an outside challenge for the title met, with Filey sealing a comfortable 79-run win at home to
Seamer.
Filey posted an imposing 231-6, in-form Ryan Baldry their top-scorer with 51, while he received good support from Josh Dawson (46), Nathan Robson (43no) and skipper Dave Brannan (38).
Aussie all-rounder Tom Fitzgerald then did the damage with the ball, taking 6-46 to ensure Seamer were all out for 152, Mitch Fisher hitting 50 of those runs.
In a crucial game at the bottom end of the Premier Division table, Scalby cruised to a seven-wicket success at home to promoted Thornton Dale.
Dale elected to bat first and were looking in a healthy position to post a competitive total as Lewis White (48) and Tim Hunt (42) contributed good runs at the top of the order.
Scalby spinners Lachlan Cooke (4-34) and Paul Hesp (220) ensured the visitors were pegged back though as they collapsed to 131 all out.
Fourteen-year-old Ed Hopper then shone with the bat in Scalby’s reply, hitting a composed 47 with support from fellow-opener Dave Holborn (28) and Adam Waugh (32no) as the hosts made it comfortably to their victory target.
Jonny Mason was the star man in Ebberston’s 85-run win at Heslerton.
Mason’s knock of 87 helped Ebberston post 236-9, Tom Brickman also hitting 57 as Paul Kinghorn (5-38) and Andy Slaughter (3-53) were in good form with the cherry.
Despite Sam Triffitt hitting 49 and Simon Oxendale 34, Aussie Cooper Barnes took 3-39 to help restrict the hosts to 151-9.