York Senior League

Division One

Beverley 1st XI (25pts) drew with Sheriff Hutton Bridge

Beverley Town 175-9

Sheriff Hutton Bridge 104-7

THE 1st XI were given two tough opening fixtures, playing sides relegated from the Premier League.

Last Saturday they travelled to Sheriff Hutton Bridge and came away with 25 points from a drawn game. Sheriff Hutton Bridge won the toss and asked Beverley to bat first on a wet wicket. After a watchful start Town struggled to 80 for 5 with only Olly Grantham (25) coping with the conditions. Club chairman Ali Brumfield (44) and Ian Gillyon (34) then put together a 65-run partnership to help Town reach a respectable 175 for 9.

First team debutant James Emery then bowled well in tandem with Simon Roe, many years his senior, to put the pressure on the Bridge batsman,

James picked up two wickets in his opening spell, leaving Town on top. Roe continued to keep the pressure on, well supported by Ian Gillyon and Beverley’s spin kings Pete Parnaby and the ever golden armed Steve Blake. Roe finished with 3 for 35 off a marathon 20 overs and the home side were left well short of their target at 104 for 7, giving Beverley a good start to the season.

York Senior League

Division Two

Beverley Town 2nd XI (30pts) beat Bolton Percy

by 6 wickets

Bolton Percy 154 all out

Beverley 2nd XI 155-4

THE Town 2nds were indebted to Iain Sugdon with five wickets, and Will and Tim Smith, who both made half centuries, as they got their season under way with a maximum 30 points at Norwood.

Beverley bowled out their opponents for 154 largely thanks to Sugdon’s 5 for 36. Sam Horton took two wickets at the end of the innings and stand-in keeper Dave Fishwick managed to prevent any byes. He did, however, fail to collect a couple of half-chances and missed a possible stumping.

Tim Smith (56) and Will Smith (53) both batted very well but both fell with the win in sight, and four wickets were eventually lost before Town won the game.