Cup win hides league problem

Published on 7th June 2007 in Sport

Carlton Towers I 146

Hornsea 151-2

Carlton Towers suffered yet another defeat, going down by eight wickets to a strong Hornsea side, and their fifth defeat leaves them at the foot of Division One in the York Senior League.

And even Sunday's Readman Cup win over Stillington can not hide the failings of Carlton at this moment in time.

The most positive aspect of the match was the continued good-season form of Neil Robinson. He made an impressive 55, his first-half century of the season, sharing in a third and fourth wicket stand of 41 and 38 respectively.

Late arrival Paul Wright was the only other batsman who made any impression on the outstanding bowling attack of the seasiders, making 27 before becoming one of the five victims of spin bowler Ryan Kirk.

Carlton Towers had started badly with Jon Burton, opening the batting for the first time this year and Ian Leach both falling victim to the incomparable Hornsea Captain, Richard Medforth, who also Captain's the League representative side, with the score on 22. However, the recovery orchestrated by Neil Robinson failed to bring any reward as the innings went from 122-5 to 146 all out. Ryan Kirk finished with 5-32 from his 16 over spell.

Although Gareth Roberts again led the attack with great credit, it was not until Robert Haw and 14-year-old Mark Spetch - both debuting for the first string for the first time this season, were brought into the attack, that the reward came. Robert Haw had the Hornsea opener Fisher caught by Gareth Roberts for 52, whilst Spetch bowled the dangerous Paul Clappison for 43, the pair having put together a first-wicket partnership of 84.

Hornsea, though, reached the target without any sweat with 15 overs to spare.

Carlton Towers I 258-6,

Stillington I 150

Carlton Towers reached the second round of the Edward Readman Memorial Trophy thanks to a 108-run success against Division Three side Stillington to earn a second-round tie against the winners of the Castleford and Bubwith tie.

It was the first time that the side had reached the second round of either of the league's cup competitions since winning the trophy in 2001, although last competing in the competition in 2002. Due to their premiership and Division One top four status, the club has played in the Premier Cup during this time.

Despite giving their opponents a 30-run start and the poor form of the side this term, the League status of the teams made Carlton Towers' favourites.

Missing the influential Paul Wright and good form of Jonathan Dilks and Glenn Hunter, Carlton Towers gave first-team debuts to Callum Reilly and Robert Tate. However, it was a performance from one of Carlton Towers' consistent performers, Neil Robinson, that produced the tonic that will kick-start their season and efforts to avoid relegation. He made a poetic career-best 134 and his maiden century in all forms of cricket to enable the side to recover from the loss of Ian Leach and Jamie Pocklington.

At 42-3 the visitors were on their way to producing possibly the shock of the round. However, a fourth-wicket partnership of 75 between Neil Robinson and Mark Spetch changed all that, the score coming from only 13 overs. Further contributions from Gareth Roberts, who made 23 in a fifth-wicket partnership of 93, and an undefeated 20 from Robert Tate took the side to 258-6 from their 40 overs.

Stillington were perhaps flattered by their 30-run start and this was no more apparent when the bowling attack performed as expected, with fine contributions from Mark Spetch who capped a fine all-round display taking 3-21, Gareth Roberts taking 2-12 and Callum Reilly, who took his first-ever first-team wicket. Jon Burton also took two impressive stumpings, resulting in wickets for Mark Spetch and Shaun Morris.

Without the handicap, this was an emphatic victory for Towers, who would hope to continue their progress in the competition despite their lack of good form in the League.