U-15 Bob Mellor Cup defence moves on to final
The Studley Royal U-15 A side are through to the final of the Bob Mellor Cup for the second year running and will defend the trophy won last year by Ben Crewe’s side at Knaresborough Forest Cricket Club on the 17th July at 6.15pm.
The Semi Final was an excellent match played against Harrogate A on the old county ground at St. George’s Road, Harrogate. Harrogate won the toss and opted to bat. Studley got off to a good start with Joe Ainscough dismissing Harrogate openers Griffin and Halliday for 3 and 8 respectively and then Hammond for 2. Kempley and Roberts steadied the Harrogate innings both retiring on 35. Angus Shaw took the wicket of Edmundson for 1 and Rob Lowe that of Davidson for 3. Wetherald and Walsh were not out on 16 and 3 at the end of Harrogate’s 22 overs. Ainscough recorded the best bowling figures with 3 wickets for 22 runs off his 5 overs and skipper George Lamb looked on excellent form just when his team need him to be.
So with the target of 123 to win and the light failing fast Studley went into bat with an experimental opening partnership of Ed Robinson and Nick Stuart. Harrogate opening bowlers Griffin and Wetherald pegged them back in their spells although runs came slowly. Stuart was the first wicket to fall to Roberts for 19 off 25 balls. Robinson then was run out through an excellent direct hit for 28 off 37 balls. Lamb was then joined at the crease by Shaw and both skipper and his assistant quickly ran up the runs before Shaw went for 11. Ainscough made a brief appearance before Kempley added his scalp giving him 3 wickets for 19 runs off his 5 overs. Lowe went cheaply for 3 caught Roberts and then Evans and U-12 Harry Lamb both ran themselves out in the scramble for the final runs needed off the remaining three overs. Evans recorded 10 off the 8 balls he faced which made the difference.
So as in the early clash between these two sides in the ECB National U-15 Club Cup it all came down to the last over with U-12 Will Shaw having joined Lamb at the crease and finding himself with one run and facing. Following instructions Shaw junior nudged a single and put Lamb back on strike. Lamb then hit a nice shot that was well fielded adding another single and putting Shaw back on strike with 2 runs needed off three balls. Halliday bowled a swift ball with excellent line and length but Shaw with that impetuosity of an U-12 placed it neatly between the keeper and the slip and as it raced away he and Lamb ran the two needed. Shaw junior not out for 4 and the match won with three balls to spare!
This was a match played in a highly competitive manner between two teams of young men that all want to win and many of whom play representative cricket with each other at various levels. Both sides can be quite vocal at times however they play very much in the spirit of cricket. Being on opposite sides of the Nidderdale U-15 league leaves open the tantalising possibility that they could meet again in September if they both reach the playoff finals day.
Studley U-15 1st XI now move on to the ECB National U-15 Club Cup Semi Finals at Hartshead Moor Cricket Club at 12.30pm this Sunday. The side available and selceted is as follows: George Lamb, Angus Shaw, Ben Coad, Nick Stuart, Elliot Oates, Rob Lowe, Simon Evans, Harry Lamb, Ben Nabarro, Josh Crewe, Scott Thompson and Tom Bailey (12th Man). The side will meet at Hartshead Moor Cricket Club no later than 11.30am.