GYL Finals round-up
Chakraborty stars as Leadon Young Cricketers become Under 15 GYL County Champions
Leadon Young Cricketers 280 for 9 from 40 overs, Downend 203 all out from 23.1 overs
Leadon Young Cricketers won by 77 runs
Leadon Young Cricketers were delighted to visit Downend for the u15 GCYL Cup Final on Sunday 4th September 2016, and were inspired by the local history, excellent pitch and outstanding hospitality from their hosts, to give a stellar performance in becoming County Champions.
Kiran Chakraborty was the dominant batsman, scoring 114 runs in just 26 overs to set up victory for Leadon Young Cricketers in the GCYL u15 Cup Final on Sunday 4th September. Ably supported by captain Harry Senior (54) and Ed Aston (66), Chakraborty’s powerful innings set up a challenging total despite a late collapse inspired by Joe Dryell’s outstanding spin bowling return of 4 wickets for 13 runs from 7 overs. Downend’s valiant response, led by a Dryell century, was always a little behind the required run rate before being derailed in the final stages by Sam Mattingley’s spin (5 overs 4 wickets for 27 runs).
On losing the toss and being asked to bat Harry Senior (54) and Kiran Chakraborty (114) set an impressive pace at the top of the innings, despite some challenging bowling in particular from Ollie Louch. A lightning fast outfield and a batters’ wicket helped, but both batsmen hit the ball hard and their running between the wickets was outstanding, allowing them to score at more than 7.5 runs per over. The first wicket fell in the 18th over with Senior caught on the long off boundary by Lawrence from the pace bowling of H Saleem (5 overs 1 wicket 40 runs). While the skipper was disappointed to miss out on a big score LYC were well placed on 138 for 1 from 18 overs, and looked set for a big total.
The fall of the first wicket saw Chakraborty respond by seeking to further dominate the bowlers. He was particularly strong hitting over the leg side fielders, and also played a series of delightfully wristy drives through the covers in scoring the game’s highest score of 114, with four 6s and fifteen 4s, before falling to the accurate medium pace of M Gayle (3 overs 1 wicket 12 runs). At this point Ed Aston took up the cudgels, smashing 4 huge sixes over the neighbouring houses in an innings of 66 which took fewer than 10 overs.
At 260 for 3 from 33 overs LYC looked set for a huge total but the end of the innings saw a fightback from the Downend bowlers inspired by Joe Dryell. Extracting turn from the wicket and maintaining an excellent line Dryell imposed himself on the latter stages of the innings. His was the outstanding spell of bowling in the match, securing 4 wickets for only 13 runs in 7 overs, and he was well supported by M Saleem (3 wickets for 60 runs from 8 overs) in a second spell that brought him 3 wickets. This meant that 260 for 3 became 270 for 9, before a sensible last wicket partnership between Jacob Wise (5 not out) and Matt Barratt (4 not out) completed the LYC innings, setting Downend a challenging but reachable total of 281 to win the match.
The LYC opening bowlers set about their task of putting pressure on the run rate and were backed up by some outstanding fielding from the start. The opening 12 overs saw them restrict Downend to 60 runs in return for 3 wickets, with the run rate already climbing towards 8 an over. Jack Worgan (6 overs 1 wicket 16 runs) set the tone by maintaining an excellent length while bowling at a challenging pace, and Jacob Wise (6 overs 1 wicket 42 runs) extracted some early swing. Harry Senior maintained an attacking field and the fielding was athletic and determined, resulting in some hesitation by the Downend batters. This saw M Gayle run out by Paddy Thompson, following a good interception and strong throw. Chakraborty, after some juggling,held on to a sharp slip catch from a Worgan thunderbolt, and Jake Wise pegged back Dan Qureshi’s off stump with a nice off-cutter.
Joe Dryell once again set about trying to turn the match in Downend’s favour with a series of silky off-side drives and some powerful pull shots whenever the bowlers dropped short, and he found support from G Duggan (35) and later in the innings by O Louch (16). The LYC bowlers were however equally determined to maintain their hold. Chakraborty (8 overs 1 wicket 37 runs) slowed the run rate and removed the dangerous Lawrence, and Henry Garner (6 overs 0 wickets 42 runs) and Matt Barrett (3 overs 1 wicket 17 runs) dutifully plugged away up the slope with the short leg side boundary, with Barrett bowling the belligerent Duggan for 35, putting LYC on top as the game approached its climax. The fielders were also central to denying the Downend innings momentum, epitomised by Paul Bendall who threw himself in the way of several big shots from the batsmen in order to prevent crucial boundaries.
Now Harry Senior sensed his moment. With the run rate in double figures he opted for spin at both ends, taking pace off the ball and challenging the batters to ‘go big’. Off spinner Sam Mattingley (5 overs 4 wickets 27 runs) used his variations to trap four batters, including a good stumping by ‘keeper Ed Aston to remove O Louch (16) as the batsmen chanced their arm. Leg spinner Ollie Aston was also rewarded for his courage and skill with regard to the short leg side boundary by claiming the final and most prized wicket, that of Joe Dryell, bringing his excellent innings of 101 to an end when he was caught at long on by Sam Mattingley.
Coach York Senior was delighted with his side’s achievement. “The majority of this team has been together since they played in the u10 Tournament at Kings in 2011. They have shown great loyalty to Leadon Young Cricketers, training together in the winter and committing whole heartedly to the games in this competition over a number of years. I’m really pleased that they have something to show for their efforts and thank you to Downend Cricket Club for being such great hosts and well done to both sides on producing such a good game, and one played in a great spirit”.
Bristol YMCA become Under 13 County Champions in tricky conditions
Bristol YMCA 116 for 9 from 35 overs, Dumbleton 63 all out from 15 overs.
Bristol YMCA won by 53 runs
Stanton CC was the superb location for the GYCL Under 13s final played between the winners of the north division - Dumbleton - and the South division - Bristol YMCA. It was a keenly contested game on a green and damp wicket due to the recent heavy rain and as such proved a stern test for the youngsters' batting skills in particular. YMCA lost the toss and were asked to bat first. An opening partnership of 31 laid the foundation for the innings but at 60 for 1, opener Joseph Woodworth was trapped LBW by the very accurate Ryan Kilmister for a studious 14 and was quickly followed by Krish Manesh for 15. A flurry of wickets turned the game back in Dumbleton's favour but from a perilous 68 for 5, YMCA recovered to 116 for 9 in 35 overs due to an aggressive 22 from Fuzael Ahmed and a run a ball 17* from Sam Hygate batting at number 9. Dumbleton bowler A. Kane finished with figures of 3 for 17.
It was tricky to tell whether this was about par or not for the green wicket but there was certainly optimism in both camps at half way. Dumbleton started brightly and rattled to 33 for 1 within 6 overs through a mixture of good clean hitting from A. Kane and N. Schubach before opening bowler Max Murphy claimed his second wicket to leave Dumbleton at 35 for 2. The game was moving on at pace with Dumbleton more than comfortable with the run rate but with regular wickets falling for YMCA. A crucial partnership was broken at 62 for 6 and the game finished off in style by the YMCA spinners with Krish Manesh claiming 2 for 4 and Fuzael Ahmed 3 for 2 respectively. YMCA ran out winners by 52 runs bowling out Dumbleton for 64.
It was an excellent final between two terrific teams in a gorgeous location and played in an excellent spirit. Thank you to everyone involved for making it such a good occasion.
A Captain’s innings by Dan Lee helps Dumbleton become GYL Under 11 County Champions
Dumbleton 147 for 9 from 30 overs, Bristol YMCA 136 for 9 from 30 overs.
Dunbleton won by 11 runs
On a lovely late Summers morning Dumbleton CC travelled to Bristol YMCA to play the final of the GY 30 Over League at the Golden Hill Sports Ground.
Dumbleton won the toss and elected to bat on a slightly green wicket but one that ended up playing true and fair. The opening pair of Dan Lee and Rowan Snell got off to a good solid start and the feeling at that stage was that a decent total would be posted. Bristol YMCA bowled well at the beginning and they got their rewards with some tight and accurate bowling in particular from Jacob Stevenson as they took 3 quick wickets to pin Dumbleton back. A mention must go to Ethan Corbet who unfortunately took a turn for the worse while batting and had to be retired hurt. After a short delay, the game continued however Dumbleton seemed to have others things on their minds and more quick wickets tumbled putting them under pressure. They finally reached a target of 147- 9 off their 30 overs and was thought that this may be 20 runs shy.
Bristol YMCA opened their innings well in particular Laurie Wilson holding the innings together against some good opening bowling from both Edward Thompson and Billy Benson. Bristol YMCA continued to bat well even though they lost a few wickets at crucial times. With only 20 runs to get in the last 5 overs wickets started to tumble as the ball was thrown to the man of the match and Dumbleton Captain for the day Dan Lee who claimed 4 wickets for 6 runs off 3 overs. This provided a nail biting and fantastically exciting finish with Dumbleton finally coming through the winners.
Congratulations goes to all of the players for taking part and being involved in a wonderful final.