Game 8 - Skipton (Home)

Date 10th June 2006

On an absolutely beautiful day for cricket Ilkley welcomed Skipton to the home of cricket, Denton Road.

With not a cloud in the sky and temperatutes reaching 30 degrees it was perfect cricket weather.
Some things never change though and Guppy's luck with the coin continued as he lost yet another toss!

The Skipton skipper wanted to watch England first... sorry bat first and the Ilkley bowlers had initial crack with the ball for the first time this season.

The Skipton innings started brightly as the two openers got stuck in to anything loose from Harrison and Rhodes. The bowlers weren't helped by some very poor fielding in the first ten overs, but Captain Quaife gave the desired kick up the backside and the Ilkley lads were soon back on task. Rhodes was brought off early and replaced by Jayes and this would be the only bowling change of the whole Skipton innings as Harrison and Jayes really tightened the screw and bowled tidily and econmically. Harrison was the first with the breakthrough as Santy held on to a tidy catch at gully. As each new batsmen came in they were keen to tell the Ilkley lads the footy score... a sure sign that their minds were eleswhere! Ilkley capitialised on this and Jayes and Harrison deservedly reduced Skipton to 176-7. Both bowlers deserve praise for bowling long spells in very hot conditions, particularly the elder statesman Harrison who bowled a full 25 overs for 5-71

With England holding onto a 1-0 lead Ilkley were hoping for an England/Ilkley double but after Santy was caught at cover the second ball, doubts were raised.
Cocky went in at three and soon looked his old self, batting solidly and partnering Bails well. After 15 overs and the score on 63 the initial scare was firmly at the back of everyones mind but then Cocky was caught at point and Wheels joined Bails at the crease. He hadn't been in long before he was run out and Dover went in. Bails was batting very positively and played some lovely straight drives and Russell was punishing anything short, a cut shot to the long boundary in particularly nice shot.
With the attacking Dover and Bails now playing his shots, the scoreboard was ticking along at a healthy rate. With just 35 runs required Bails was bowled but walked off to loud applause scoring 72 runs. Guppy soon got stuck in to the tiring Skipton attack and even scampered some cheeky singles and two's! Dover was caught at cover but batted well for his 22 runs. Richy Rhodes went in at 7 and with 10 runs needed. Guppy was caught behind at the other end though and Andy Lad joined his brother at the crease. After getting dropped first ball the Rhodes' brought it home and Ilkley celebrated a convincing victory!
Captain Quaife was pleased but noted that both he and The Hustler should have carried their bats and that Ilkley's first 10 overs in the field is not to happen again. Next up is Harden away who currently sit top of the table and this will be a real test that the Ilkley lads should look forward to. A good performance and victory against them will really put Ilkley in the shake-up.

Up the ICC!

Many thanks again to Brian for the use of his excellent photos!