GETTING back on the title trail is York Cricket Club’s aim tomorrow – and they have Oz power at their elbow.
The Clifton Parkers go to Hull in the Solly Sports Yorkshire ECB County Premier League on the hunt for eight points after they were shocked by Rotherham Town in their last outing.
York subsequently bounced back from that defeat with a superb victory over South Northumberland on Tuesday to go through to the fourth round of the ECB National Club Challenge, where they will now face Blaydon in the regional final on June 17.
Duncan Snell’s 70 was the bedrock of a slightly below par 163 all out – with York having initially made good strides to get to 68-0. But the bowlers ripped through the northerners’ batting, Tom Pringle the standout performer with 4-16 off nine overs.
Dan Woods (2-20), Oliver Hairs (2-28) and Ryan McKendry also chipped in with wickets, and vice-captain Nick Kay is hoping the team will take the momentum from that performance to Humberside this weekend.
York will follow that trip to Hull by hosting Harrogate the next day in the Solly Sports Twenty20 qualifying round.
Kay, who sat out Tuesday, said: “The lads were magnificent in the field, gave nothing away and barely conceded an extra. We took a beating (against Rotherham) and it was pleasing to bounce back against one of the best teams in the country.
“We want the same tomorrow. We did a lot of soul searching after the Rotherham defeat. We needed to improve. That paid dividends on Tuesday and, if we take that forward, hopefully we will be too strong for Hull.”
York will be boosted by the presence of Australian batsman Dan Wilson, who is turning out for the side as an overseas player while on holiday in the region. Although a touch rusty, the club’s former run-machine still poses a formidable threat to opposition bowlers.
Kay is just as keen on the T20 competition and he will captain the side which faces Harrogate for a place in the final, on home ground, against either Scarborough or Yorkshire Academy.
A big prize awaits the regional winners, who advance to the national stages. The carrot for reaching finals day includes a chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to Barbados and the opportunity for television exposure on Sky Sports.
“Last year was the first time we played it,” he added. “We won and we really enjoyed the regional finals day at Scarborough. If you win it’s well worth it.”
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