Bassetlaw dream ends at Worksop
by Paul Barker, 28th August 2006

After two aborted efforts to play the match at Hartlepool, the scene switched to Central Avenue, Worksop for this semi-final and after a reasonably competitive game, the North Yorkshire and South Durham League came out on top by 67 runs.

After a slowish start which saw only 15 runs conceded in the first seven overs the pace was upped dramatically by a further 52 runs from the next seven by the North Yorkshire League. Some fine stroke play by Neil Pratt (63), Steve Pennock (66) and Tim Hood (40) saw the score rocket upwards and the Bassetlaw attack came in for some fierce punishment as the scoring rate continued to increase rapidly.

The final total of 259 for 6 gave the Bassetlaw League everything to do and all the bowlers came in for some hefty punishment.

Wicket takers were Matt Hall (2 for 57), Jon Garnham (1 for 58), Cliff Adwick (1 for 59) and Will Butler (1 for 38). However honourable mention must be made of the part 17 year old slow bowler Tom Ullyott of Cuckney made with his 0 for 44 from ten excellent overs, the most economical figures of any of the Bassetlaw attack.

From the start of the Bassetlaw innings it was quite obvious that they had a mountain to climb as the North Yorkshire attack settled on a miserly line and length and gave little away in the field. Despite good efforts by Paul Burdett (38), Darren Spooner (34) and Glenn Pym (31) the Bassetlaw side could only muster 192 for 7 a creditable but not good enough reply. With only nineteen runs coming from the first ten overs it was always going to be a problem and they never at any time looked like catching up with the clock.

Jon Barnes (1 for 13), David Grainge (4 for 55), Chris Lane (1 for 29) and Steve Pennock (1 for 23) were the North Yorkshire form bowlers and all of them did an admirable job for their side.