Earl is the hero king

Published on 22nd May 2008 in Sport

Goole Town 2nd XI 161-9

Driffield III 197-8

Without several key players, including their captain and recent match winners, Goole Town's second team did well to escape with a losing draw in their York Senior League Division 5A clash with a strong Driffield III at Westfield on Saturday.

Yes, without Barry Clements and the Shipp brothers, there was still plenty to enthuse from the home side with debutant Ben Lamb taking 6-52 in the Woldsmen's innings and then young wicketkeeper Ben Earl made a confident 29 not out as his side saved the match near the end, and there was a pleasing innings of 25 for Jake Mahoney, who will come good sooner rather than later.

Driffield looked a powerful line-up with three members of the Woodcock family, so synonymous with cricket in the Wolds over the years, on parade.

Of the three brothers, Phil made the big contribution with 73 after Kevin had gone for seven in the 11th over of a tidy opening spell by James Kerr and Mark West.

Kerr got the breakthrough, but then it was Lamb who supplied the ammunition in the home side's attack in his first game since joining from rivals Carlton Towers.

He took six of the eight wickets to fall and ripped through the middle order after Brumpton made 56. and this ensured Goole would not be chasing the 200 plus that it appeared it might be with ten overs remaining.

In reply Goole never mastered the experienced Driffield attack at any stage and lost wickets at regular intervals to Anderson and Driscol in particular.

However, Mahoney stood firm for 20 overs and it will have done him the power of good to get time at the crease, and in taking that time up it it give his side the chance of saving the game.

They did that thanks to contributions from Earl, Thorpe, West, Kerr and latterly Louie Moore who not only survived the last over but made six not out to partner the unbeaten wicketkeeper.

Earl hit two boundaries in his 57 ball stay at the crease and he is regarded highly at Westfield behind the timbers, and with a willingness to tough it out at the end here, that also augers well with the bat.

Left, Mark West in early action with the ball in a good opening spell for Goole. (22-05-15 GT)