Ex-county trio all star as season commences

FORMER Yorkshire players Will Fraine, Jack Shutt and Harry Sullivan made an immediate impact as the league season finally got underway.

The 27-year-old Fraine, released by his county at the end of 2023, scored an eye-catching 149 for his new club York as Easingwold realised how tough their step up to Yorkshire Premier League North is.

Fraine only faced 127 balls, hitting 17 fours and six sixes and added 64 for the first wicket with Luke Kilby (32) and 210 for the second with Breidyn Schaper, whose unbeaten 104 came off 105 balls and contained six fours and two sixes.

Facing a daunting 318-4, the visitors replied with 171-9, with five players making double figures, the best of which was 35 not out by No 9 Josh Sargent. Dave Brent (4-21) and left-arm spinner Sullivan (3-47), who was released by the White Rose in 2022, ensured that Easingwold could not build on their fine start of 58-1.

Castleford also started with a win thanks to opener Brayden Clark’s 111 at Scarborough.

Castleford went from 205-2 to 232 all out as Jack Redshaw (442), Clarke Doughney (3-66) and Gihan Maligaspe Koralage (2-28) prospered.

Scarborough were dismissed for 138, with spinners Eddie Morrison (3-24) and David Wainwright (5-30) holding sway.

Off-spinner Shutt took 4-40 as Harrogate defeated 2022 champions Driffield Town with ease, the latter collapsing from 113-2 to 161 all out.

Hull Zingari toughed out victory in a low-scoring affair at home to Woodhouse Grange, whose 123 would have been considerably worse were it not for Jonny Shepherdson (38no) and Tom Neal (34). Zingari were in dire straits at 46-6 but won by three wickets.

Xavier Lardner’s 85 helped Clifton Alliance beat Stamford Bridge by 62 runs.