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Photos: Adam Green
Centuries from Fraser Crawford and Tom Brandreth helped York 1st XI secure an emphatic cup win over York St. John 1st XI on 22 acres, a victory which sees them ease into the Quarter Finals.
York posted a mammoth 368-6 in their allotted 50 overs and made short work of the opposition, bowling them out for 162 to complete a comfortable 206 run win.
After being put into bat by the visitors on a sensational batting wicket, York opener Nick Townson fell fourth ball of the innings, leaving York 1-1. York, who had finished top of the table during the league season, rebuilt through Alex McDonald and Joel Hughes, the partnership developing effortlessly, until McDonald failed to keep a leg glance down, and was caught well at square leg for 30.
This dismissal brought danger man Crawford to the crease, who immediately carried on from where McDonald had left off, blazing the ball to all parts, ably supported by Hughes. Hughes departed when he feathered one through to the ‘keeper for 70, leaving York 157-3 off just 27 overs, with a solid foundation to build a huge total.
Left-handers Crawford and Brandreth did exactly that, tearing apart the St. John bowlers. Crawford brought up his hundred off just 64 balls with a scampered two to the midwicket boundary. After a stand of 104, he was finally dismissed for a superb 101 off just 64 balls, including eleven fours and three sixes, and left the field to rapturous applause.
Surprisingly, this did not lead to a drop in the run rate as two run outs in quick succession led to the big-hitting Thyian Padiachey’s arrival, who had no trouble clearing the rope straight away.
Meanwhile, with overs running out, Brandreth had a hundred in his sights. Needing eight off the last over with Padiachey on strike, some tactical running gave him the opportunity with four balls remaining. With the help of a dropped catch it took just three, including two audacious clips to fine leg. Padiachey finished unbeaten on 37 off 23 balls and Brandreth on 106 from 68 in a partnership of 92 in eight overs, leaving St. John struggling.
With tight bowling up front from openers Rob Gillespie and Jack Bradshaw, the visitors made a slow start. A wicket apiece pushed the run rate up and the chase appeared all the more unlikely with every over bowled.
Some clean striking from Akram, third batsman for St. Johns, was the highlight of their innings but even he could not make inroads into the colossal total. When he fell to Hughes, and a direct hit from Townson caused a run out, the visitors were left 90-4.
Despite a middle order recovery, the inevitable was only being delayed. After a patient, wicketless first five overs from left-arm chinaman Tom Witherow, the spinner grabbed three in his next three to leave York on the verge of victory. The introduction of off-spinner McDonald completed the victory, as he picked up three wickets in only two overs, finishing with figures of 3-7, to help dismiss the away side for 162.
The win means York will meet either their own 2nd team or Hull 1sts in a game that is to take place later this week. In the absence of Andy Kirkwood, stand-in captain Crawford said, “I’m delighted with the way the boys performed with bat and ball. I can’t have asked for anymore – it was a perfect day.”
In contrast, the York St. Johns skipper concluded, “We gave it our best shot. We had lots of players missing today and I’m happy with our effort in the sweltering heat.”