7UP for Deri!
On a weekend where availability was an issue for the club, the Friendly team managed to raise an 11 to play against Druids on a glorious, sunny, afternoon. The team was a mixture of young and old experienced, featuring three Yapham juniors, two of whom were making their full senior debuts. The skipper, dusting off his Captain's hat after several years in storage, won the toss and elected to field ?. The Yapham bowlers, led by Pat Wahl (a miserly 0-17 off seven overs) and David Fouracre toiled against the Druids openers without reward. Henry Duncan and Michael Hodgkinson bowled first change but it wasnt until Deri Reed-Thomas was called upon that wickets began to tumble. After the retirement of B Hickey on 50, there was a procession of Druids batters returning to the pavilion. The magic 5fer was deservedly achieved, but Deri didnt stop there, picking up a sixth and seventh wicket, ending with amazing figures of 7-36 off just seven permitted overs. James Hodgkinson, after some radar adjustment having played u13s in the morning, picked up two wickets preventing Deri from returning even better figures. All of the bowlers were back up by excellent fielding and a faultless display behind the stumps by Jon Coote. Not a single catch was put down and the Druids innings was ended when the juniors Hodgkinson and Frank combined to run out the last man. 183 was the final total, thanks largely to B. Hickey who ended unbeaten on 78. Geoff Pears contributed 46.

After a hearty tea, the Yapham reply began facing a required rate of just over five an over. Against tight bowling, sadly we were never up with the rate and 45/3 soon became 68/8. It wasnt until the introduction of Shaun Duncan, batting down the order whilst recovering from a shoulder injury, that the score became more respectable. Several substantial sixes were cleanly struck around the ground before we were finally all out for 121, with Shaun ending unbeaten on 43. Pat Wahl 23, Andy Brookes 13 and Ethan Frank 10, were the other notable contributions. For the Druids M Pears took 4 wickets, B Hickey 2, C. Caswell 2 and Caswell Jnr 2.

A most enjoyable game, played in very good spirits, setting us all up well for the season ahead. Sadly, there are no more friendly fixtures scheduled for this season but Sunday cricket continues in the form of the Yapham Sunday Team who play in Div 2 of the York Vale League. Contact Damien Mawer 07976 278886 or Andy Brookes 07581 737368 for more details.

Druids 183 all out
Deri Reed-Thomas 7-36 (7)
James Hodgkinson 2-25 (5)
Pat Wahl 0-17 (7)

Yapham Friendly XI 121 all out
Shaun Duncan 43 no
Pat Wahl 22
Andy Brookes 13
Ethan Frank 10