1st Team - Gomersal (H) - 28th April 2007

Esholt met Gomersal in what the Telegraph and Argus described as the game of the day. On a warm early summers day captain Richard Whitehurst having won the toss on a hard but grassy wicket, elected to bat.

 

The combination of some wayward bowling and fantastic stroke play saw Esholt race to 50 inside 10 overs. All was going well when with the score on 88 captain Whitehurst was out “to one that kept low” Richard departed for a typically robust 54 off only 30 balls. Phil Carter was joined at the wicket by Basil King and over the next 13 overs the pair proceeded to add 46 in a quietly efficient manner. With the score on 134, King departed for 29, Phil Carter who was timing the pants off it, was joined at the wicket by Ben Platt. These two continued to turn the score around at an acceptable rate. With the score on 206, Platty was unfortunate to top edge an attempted sweep and was once again well caught by a diving keeper. Old man Bashir came and went without troubling the scorers and now Phil Carter found a new accomplice in overseas Shahid Khan. Phil eventually reached a well deserved century the highlight being some exquisite drives through both the on and off sides. With the score on 236 a shattered Phil Carter was run out for an outstanding 116. This left a depleted Gomersal balling attack to face the likes of Noddy and Robin. Esholts innings finished on 288 - 7 with overseas Shahid yet again unbeaten on 39.

 

Chasing Esholts 288 - 7 was never going to be easy, but on a good looking track and with one of the divisions best batting top orders, Gomersal definitely fancied their chances. However, a combination of poor shot selection and excellent bowling meant the visitors were never in the hunt. When ex Yorkshire batsman Bradley Parker was brilliantly caught at gully by the centurion Carter and with the score on 17 - 5 the game was all but over. Whilst the stats will point to Ben Lister's 4 - 24, let it also be noted that Noddy Hanif's 9 overs cost only 11 runs for the loss of 2 wickets. The introduction of Ben Platt's slow left armers for the first time this season only continued the rout and a well controlled spell of 6.4 overs, 1 maiden, 4 wickets for 31 runs wrapped up a sorry Gomersal innings. They had eventually capitulated to 73 all out.

 

The final word this week goes to Jimmy “the mullet” Soulsby, who has contributed no runs, no wickets and no catches this season!! However his departure to London will leave a massive hole in our side and the sayings “up a chimney” and “he's here for a good time, not a long time” will be sadly missed. Jimmy we wish you all the best and hope to see you soon.

 

The final, final word is for Mr and Mrs Ben Lister, who on Sunday 29 th April 2007 became parents for the first time. Nicki gave birth to a bouncing baby girl who has at the time of print no name, so for now will be known as baby Lister. Congratulations to the Lister's and Ben will be buying anyone in the bar after Sunday's cup game a drink or 2!! (Not sure about that - Ben)

 

Thanks to the author of this report who prefers to remain anonymous. Still!!!