At the delightful venue of Queen Margarets School, Escrick Ben Johnsons won the toss and elected to bat. Harry Collins and Scott Coupland bowled tight and were rewarded with the early wickets of Anderson and Lovatt to put Ben Johnsons on a concerning 3-2. The tight bowling continued with Collins only giving 4 runs away from his first 7 overs and after 10 overs Ben Johnsons only had 9 runs on the board. With runs much needed Phil Holland and Paul Morrision made the most of any loose ball and added a further 79 runs over the next 17 overs before Morrison [41] was bowled by Robin Miller who in the same over had Tasker [0] caught by Melbourne keeper Matt Beevers. In the following over Underwood bowled Holland [36] to put BJ's on 84-7. Miller took his third wicket of the day when Collins caught Sykes for 0. Collins returned to bowl a second spell and bowled Thornton [9] and thank to a catch by Ben Thompson took the wicket of Brookes [9 in the 38th over]. A late flurry from Gary Walker added further runs to endthe 40 overs of BJ's innings on 122-8. Outcroft finishing on 13* and Walker on 7*
Melbourne bowling: H Collins 11-5-16-4, R Miller 8-0-20-3, B Underwood 9-0-46-1, S Coupland 12-2-39-0
In reply for Melbourne Harry Collins and James Coupland set off well but Collins [2] was caught off the bowling of Thornton in the 7th over. Ben Thompson joined Coupland and the two looked solid however with the board on 42 in the 15th over Thompson [14] was caught off the bowling of Holland, and in the following over Coupland was caught off the bowling of Walker after making a good 17 to put Melbourne on 43-3. Oliver Steels and Matt Beevers added another 32 to the board before Steels nicked one to the BJ keeper off the bowling of Lovatt. Brian Underwood hit a quick fire 15 before he was bowled by Lovatt in the 26th over and in the following over Dave Coe [4] was bowled by Walker. With the board on 103-6 Matt Beevers was caught off the bowling of Lovatt after making a good 25. Scott Coupland was joined by Nick Eastoe and then Callum Gregory but both were victims of Walker when they were bowled. Coupland and Robin Miller looked for any loose ball as they edged nearer to the required score but Coupland [6] was bowled by Holland in the 34th over to close the Melbourne innings on 112, 11 runs short of victory. Miller finished on 1*
BJ bowling: G Walker 11-1-29-4, D Lovatt 8-2-32-3, P Holland 6.5-2-13-2
Many thanks to the match ball sponsor - Peter Rhodes Feed Services. Next week sees Melbourne away at North Duffield