Driffield 1st XI bounced back from last week’s dramatic defeat against Doncaster when they strolled to a comfortable nine-wicket victory at Castleford on Saturday.
After winning the toss, Castleford skipper Dominic Sharp decided to bat first.
However, he will have been slightly disappointed when his side could only make a total of 215-5 from their 55 overs, a score that looked somewhat below-par considering the fire-power that Driffield’s batsmen possess.
The home side had got off to a solid start when opening batsmen Charles Finan and Sharp put on a partnership of 91 for the first wicket.
The collaboration was broken when Finan fell to the bowling of Driffield skipper Dave Brent for 44.
The departure of Finan didn’t deter Sharp though, and continued to bat impressively alongside new batsman Alex Romaniw, who made a patient 25.
Andrew Winstanley continued Castleford’s success in the top-order with a quick-fire 32 before Sharp’s vigil came to an end when he became Brent’s third victim of the afternoon for 77.
Brent proved to be the pick of Driffield’s bowling attack, as he finished with decent figutes of 3-70 from his 17 over spell.
Just as Castleford’s batsmen had done earlier in the day, Driffield’s openers made a fantastic start to their run-chase, as Abid Ali and Ben Kohler-Cadmore made 74 for the first wicket before Kohler-Cadmore departed for a well-made 40.
The game was one-way traffic thereafter as Nick Hardgrave joined Ali to seal a commanding victory for the Woldsmen.
Ali finished just short of his third century of the season with an unbeaten 93, while Hardgrave, batting at number three for the first time in the league, made a season-best score of 80 not out.
Driffield remain fifth in the Yorkshire League as they embark on a crucial weekend of fixtures that sees them face local rivals Hull on Saturday before taking on York in the Yorkshire League Knock-Out Cup final as they seek to defend the trophy they won last season.
Both games take place at Kings Mill Road.
2nd XI
Honours were even in Driffield 2nd XI’s game at Kings Mill Road on Saturday when Andrew Chapman’s side tied with high-flyers Fenner.
It was Driffield who batted first, and they made a solid total of 207-9, with captain marvel Chapman top-scoring with a hard-hitting 85.
Chapman’s score was backed up by Tom Norman who, fresh from leading East Yorkshire’s Joe Lumb side to victory, made 65 from his opening position.
The pick of the bowlers for the away side was seamer Luke Laybourne who finished with 4-48.
Despite seeming to be in control of their destiny on several occasions during their run chase and even though they required just four runs from the final over, Fenner lost their nerve and could only match Driffield’s total.
This was despite the efforts of Ben Hatfield and Will Parker who made impressive knocks of 67 and 68 respectively.
The result means that Driffield now require just 9 points to keep them in York Senior League Division One.
3rd XI
Driffield 3rds hopes of promotion from York Senior League Division Three are officially over after they slumped to a disappointing defeat at third-place Dringhouses.
After winning the toss, Driffield captain James Richardson decided to let the hosts bat first on what looked to be a decent track for batting.
Dringhouses scored 192-8 from their 45 overs, a decent total considering the slow pace of the outfield.
Top-scoring for the home side was opener Chris Evans, who put on 67 for the second wicket with Daniel Snaith who contributed 32.
Further runs for Dringhouses came from their captain Chris Storey, who made a rapid 40 before being bowled by Reuben Kelly.
Sixteen-year-old Kelly bowled impressively to finish with 3-23 from his six-over spell.
Driffield looked to be in cruise control when they found themselves in a good position to overhaul Dringhouses score at 100-2.
This was mainly thanks to the batting exploits of Richard Grice, who made a composed 42 and Dave Woodcock who scored 57, his highest score of the season.
However, a monumental collapse of wickets saw Driffield dismissed for 147 as they lost by 45 runs.
The bulk of the damage was done by off-spinner Tom Storr, whose 4-30 turned the game on its head.
4th XI
Driffield 4th XI continued their recent run of comfortable victories when they overcame Hessle 2nds by 10 wickets on Kings Mill Road’s back square.
Driffield, led by Kelvin Walker in the continued absence of regular skipper Matthew Cole, swiftly dismissed their visitors for 81 in just 20.2 overs.
Opening bowler Michael Nicholson continued his fine form with the ball as he finished with impressive figures of 5-52, while youngster Sam Pallant picked up 3-4.
The home side wasted little time in overhauling their small victory target, finishing Hessle off in nine overs without losing a wicket, with opening pair Josh Hopper and James Foster making 32 and 50 respectively.