Lancaster claimed victory by the narrowest of margins in the Men’s 1st XI Cricket, triumphing over the White Rose by one wicket, in a tense, dramatic and exciting climax. The balance of the low scoring game, on a tricky batting wicket, took on numerous twists and turns, as York were bowled out for 110, only for Lancaster to horrifically slip to 8-5, before clawing back to prevail with a resilient last wicket partnership. Excellent individual performances from Brandreth (47) and Hughes (6-21) weren’t quite enough for York, as a terrific all round display from Lancaster’s Joe Woznizcki Wells played a crucial role in attaining victory. The morning started with a light drizzle falling leading to play being delayed for half an hour, and the contest reduced to 46 overs a side.
York had only played one match before Roses 2012, due to the persistent poor weather over the previous weeks, and Andy Kirkwood commented before the game; “It should be a close game. We have a well balanced team, with good batting strength”. Lancaster meanwhile were better prepared, and went into the match unbeaten, after victory over Liverpool John Moores and a demolition of Keele. Skipper Carl Purvis stated, “I’m nervous but optimistic, we have a strong side and I believe we’ve got a great chance”. After the rain stopped, Lancaster won the toss, and put York into bat on a green wicket, helpful for the seamers.
York’s innings started brightly as Sam Illingworth and Fraser Crawford played positively. Crawford glanced two fours through third man, whilst Illingworth displayed some flowing drives. York had progressed to 19 without loss when disaster struck, as Crawford was given out LBW for 9, somewhat harshly to the bowling of Marley Ali. The next ball, new batsmen Joel Hughes’ stumps were skittled by a beautiful in swinging delivery and York found themselves 19-2.
Tom Brandreth joined Illingworth at the crease, and despite the run rate slowing, the pair had managed to move the score onto 43, before Illingworth was brilliantly caught at slip for 19, once more off the bowling of Ali. Brandreth continued to move along nicely, and aided by the experience of Captain Andy Kirkwood, he stroked a series of scintillating boundaries, being especially fluent through the covers and midwicket when Lancaster’s bowlers lost their line. Kirkwood had already escaped one narrow run out scare, when he unfortunately departed, run out for 4. Brandreth powerfully drove straight down the ground, but the ball was agonisingly touched onto the stumps by the bowler, leaving Kirkwood stranded. As a despondent Kirkwood trudged back to the pavilion, York found themselves 70-4.
Brandreth continued his fluent batting by hitting leg spinner Purvis for six over long on, but in the next over Dickenson was bowled by seamer Wells. At 84-5 the game was in the balance, but in the 20th over the game significantly turned against York, as Wells struck twice more. First Brandreth was adjudged LBW, and departed for an excellent 47, and next ball Williams was caught behind after the faintest of edges. Gillespie survived the hatrick ball, but soon departed for 1, leaving York in a deep hole. The duo of Padiachy and Maini set about restoring the damage, and slowly moved the score onto 104 after 31 overs. At this stage it was crucial for York to try and bat out the overs, but when Padiachy fell in the 33rd over, bowled by the retuning Ali for 13, that seemed unlikely. Jack Bradshaw joined Maini at the crease, and despite a couple of positive shots from the latter, York’s innings was soon over. Ali completed a deserved five wicket haul by demolishing the stumps of Bradshaw, who departed without scoring, leaving Maini unbeaten on 9 and York all out for a disappointing 110. A strong bowling effort would be required for York to salvage the situation.
They soon got exactly that, as opening bowler Joel Hughes struck twice in the first over, aided by two LBW decisions from a finger happy umpire. Lancaster were left 0-2 after a first over double wicket maiden. The situation soon improved further for York, as Gillespie also hit gold, twice sending batsmen back to the pavilion. This left Lancaster in disarray at 4-4, an incredible scoreline, and the advantage had significantly swung in York’s favour. Barnes was then dropped on 2 at mid on, from what appeared a simple chance, but it proved not to be costly, as he soon departed without scoring a further run, as Hughes bowled him with a stunning yorker to claim his third wicket. After only 6 overs Lancaster were 8-5, with their first five batsmen back in the pavilion, and York seemingly in control.
Ali and Lester then attempted to counter attack, taking the game to York, before Hughes claimed his fourth victim, bowling Ali for 10 to leave Lancaster struggling at 21-6. Lester was joined at the crease by Joe Woznizcki Wells, who had early picked up four wickets, and together they started to assemble a promising partnership, keeping the scoreboard ticking. After 15 overs, Lancaster had moved onto 47-6, and sensed they once more had a realistic chance of defeating their archrivals. Spinner Maini, and left arm seamer Bradshaw were brought into the attack, but the Lancaster duo took a liking to the change in bowling, moving the score onto 77-6 with relative ease. Bradshaw especially suffered, being hit for four boundaries in a single over, as he had a tendency to drift on to the batsmen’s legs.
Hughes was brought back into the attack, and he soon had Lester dropped at slip by Kirkwood off a hard chance down low to his right. Lester departed soon after though for 23, skying an attempted pull shot to mid on, completing Hughes’ five wicket haul. Captain Purvis joined Wells at the crease, but was bowled by Hughes for only one, leaving Lancaster 85-8, and York scenting victory. The superb Hughes had completed his allocated overs however, and finished with 6 for 23 off his ten overs. Gradually Lancaster edged towards their total, and they had moved onto 98 when controversy struck. Wells tried a risky second, resulting in him being given run out, despite the keeper seemingly dropping the ball as he dislodged the bails. Lancaster were furious, calling the incident “an utter disgrace”, and with only a single wicket required and 12 still needed, York had victory in their sights.
Number 11 batsmen Stratin though had different ideas, and struck Maini for four and then a massive six over long off into the neighbouring garden. Two runs were required to win, and a wide brought the scores level, before the nerveless Stratin squeezed a quick single, to signal a Lancaster victory and a mass pitch invasion. Stratin finished 14 not out, whilst number ten Weller was unbeaten on six. Lancaster had won. Kirkwood was understandably gutted and asserted, “The batting let us down, but we can take heart from the bowling and fielding performance, we just couldn’t quite cross the finishing line.” The match was a thriller, and earned some crucial early points for Lancaster on Friday, helping them to an overall lead in the points’ standings at the end of the first day.