Sport Young talent promises signs of a revival in 2008
Folkton and Flixton 254-6
Carlton Towers 250-9
Carlton Towers paid their last respects to Division One status, with a four wicket defeat to Folkton and Flixton in a high scoring match with over 500 runs were scored.
It was only the third time this season that the side had scored over 200 runs, this one being the highest, as Carlton Towers made 250 for the loss of nine wickets.
This was a fitting end to a disappointing season even though the side was defeated, and there was evidence of a promising future for Carlton Towers with a number of their youngsters making valuable contributions.
In particular, Jonathan Dilks, at 20 years old and a regular member of the First XI for the last three years, he produced his highest first eleven score with 80, including one six and 15 fours, whilst 13 year old Mark Spetch made his highest too with 39, having come in at number eight.
Callum Reilly too made a first team highest, hitting four fours in his undefeated 19, whilst on the bowling front and opening the attack, he took 3 - 58, including two out of the top three batsmen.
Jonathan Dilks and skipper Jamie Pocklington had put on 62 for the fourth wicket, which was an enterprising stand after the side had been reduced to 36-3. The partnership only lasted five overs, 18 runs coming from one of them.
The seventh wicket partnership involving Mark Spetch was also productive, with 69 runs coming from 12 overs with Graham Spence making 26.
Folkton and Flixton have made an impressive start to their life in the Hunters York and District Senior League, gaining promotion from Division Three and two in successive seasons.
Much of this has been down to their opening pairing. Former Scarborough batsman Neil Elvidge made an unbeaten 133 with three sixes and nineteen fours.
It took a fourth wicket partnership of 98 to break the Carlton Towers bowling attack down though, as Elvidge and Saad Butt, who made 43, enabled their side to recover from 60-3. Mark Walmsley also made 35 coming in at number seven.
It took Folkton and Flixton 41 overs to reach the target, with only these three batsmen making double figures compared to Carlton Towers six.
What does it take to jump straight back up, after suffering relegation for only the second time in 10 years? The answer is passion, team spirit, youthful exuberance and an ability to use disappointment as a learning tool. Carlton Towers have this in abundance and if the spirit of the side as evidenced by this display is anything to go by, Division One will beckon in 2009.
Carr's arm throws seconds to win
Carlton Towers II 184-6
Pocklington II 158
Carlton Towers pulled off a victory, which according to the league placing of these two sides, was most unlikely as they saw off Pocklington to record their sixth win of the season by a margin of 26 runs.
Whilst the side have finished ninth out of fourteen, which is its lowest ever position in the Hunters York and District Senior League, some 194 points from their visitors, the new challenge of a reorganised Division Five for next season is not such a daunting prospect.
With six players below the age of 15, in a much changed side, it needed the experience of Darren Graves and Steve Watson to guide the team to perform at their best.
It was no surprise then when the pair put together a third wicket stand of 100. Darren Graves, who has been the leading performer in the side yet again this year made a typically efficient and rewarding 78, whilst Steve Watson, finishing his spell as Captain of the side after two seasons, made an impressive 56.
Earlier, Stephen Carr opened the batting again contributing in a stand of 29 whilst Robert Tate, coming in at number 3 made 17 in a stand of 33.
Rich William bowled well for the opposition though taking 3-44 from his 12 over spell as Carlton Towers finished on 184-6.
Pocklington's reply stuttered early on as the first two wickets fell for only 16 and this after only nine overs. It took a middle order battle to take the contest to another level though as first of all, Ian Jozejowiz and Simon Hill, who made 18, put on 47 for the fifth wicket and then Jozejowiz followed up making 56 for the sixth wicket with Chris Saltmer who made 15.
Lewis Ellin, debuting as wicket keeper in the Carlton Towers line up, took five victims, including three catches and two stumpings.
It was Ian Jozejowiz, who threatened to take the points for the visitors though. He plundered an unbeaten 83, including 12 from one over from Nick Klein, who was making his debut in the side having been promoted from the Third XI. However, Klein came back into fashion taking 3-27, leaving the last pair needing 27 for victory in six overs.
It was left to the elder statesman of the side to finish off Pocklington and secure the points for Carlton Towers. Four weeks before his 50th birthday, Stephen Carr defied the critics of his throwing arm, by faking a misfield to demolish the stumps with a direct hit to run out the last batsman, as Pocklington's response ended on 158.
It was the last throw, in the last game, for the last wicket and a memorable ending of his last match of his fourth decade.
Published on 20th September 2007 in Sport.
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