MASHAM v Spennithorne

Match Report/Information

After a long winter lay-up and a handful of preliminaries in the Nidd league, week one of the main event got under
way in front of a sparse Recreation crowd which saw Masham waifs and strays take on a new-look Spennithorne & Harmby side. With the usual selection headache the home selection committee managed to squeeze a quart into panda pops bottle; it's a nice problem to have. Veterans, juniors and everyone one in between exhibits Masham's squad depth ahead of a most important season for all sides.

Spen skipper Kitchingman called correctly despite Smart using Masham's overseas player's 'lucky coin'. Just how lucky a 50 pence piece can be to someone only two weeks into his visit, remains to be seen and Smart will be reverting to using any old scabby tuppence found at the bottom of his kitbag in the future. Kitchingman elected to stand in the rain for 20 overs. It was an uncharacteristically quiet innings. Apparently the excitable Mawer is studying elsewhere. We'll look forward to the return match where earplugs will be the order of the day and a return to the Masham side for Mawer's sparring partner, Sturdy.

With the ball turning to a bottle of Dove handwash after just two deliveries, Monk and Walker set to and caused left-hander Smith and Rec legend Smirthwaite a certain amount of discomfort. After five overs Masham had accrued just 15 runs but importantly, the heavyweights had started to judge the pace of the sodden track and runs started to flow a little more freely. By halfway the run rate had eased up towards 4 runs an over. Conditions remained somewhat damp underfoot, and as Smith forced the scoring, a little nip from Monk saw his off stump removed with the satisfying and summer-defining sound of leather on ash. Fast-scoring Howard came to the crease and attained a 100 run rate as Smirthwaite reached his unbeaten 50 and retired to the cosy warmth of the
changing room. Aussie Michael Rees, on debut, hit a chancy 16 from 10 and Masham had scored 119 from a bedraggled Spennithorne. Pick of the bowling was Monk's 1-32 which perhaps doesn't reflect how well he had bowled given the conditions.

Faced with a little recalcitrance from elements of the bowling attack, Smart turned to the first team spin and seam options of Broadley and Rees. Broadley bowled a most economic spell as did Rees for five overs of his six and at 12 overs, the scores were level. With what light there was fading fast and cricket whites taking on a wet, muddy hue, seeing anything was becoming challenging. Indeed, Mason and Leathley were doing well to connect. Junior Sam Gill was not so lucky with a skidding return throw from the outfield which he gathered with his scrotum. With the required rate creeping up to ten an over after more excellent bowling from Gill and Jeremy Smith, Spennithorne were always going to fall short despite Davidson's unbeaten and well deserved 50. Eventually, after forty drenched
overs, Masham won by 14 runs. Rees' 2-29 was the pick but excellent fielding saw Gill run out Mason and stand-in 'keeper Tim Howard deserves a mention. Possibly.

Despite the rain, it was a good start to wednesday cricket but after four games in Somme-like conditions, everyone's ready for some sun. Thanks to Spennithorne for a good game and to Phil and his staff for making sure the ground was playable.

Literally absorbing.