Sunday saw the first competitive fixture of the 2026 season as we entertained Malton & Old Malton CC from the Yorkshire Premier League North in the Preliminary Round of the Rothesay National Clubs KO Cup.
On a blustery afternoon the visitors won the toss and elected to make first use of what looked like a decent deck for the middle of April. New signings Mark Watson and Ben Cant took the new ball and ensured that the visitors didn’t get off to a flyer in the first Power Play with some disciplined bowling. Mark was first to strike with the score on 30 and Sam MJ picked up our second wicket shortly afterwards. Max was introduced to the attack and carried on where he left off in 2025 completing a miserly 8 over spell finishing with 1-19 and together with Lee (1-31 off 8) Malton struggled to increase the rate struggling to 84/4. Visiting skipper Matthew Turnbull with 65 from 71 balls along with support from Brannen (20) and Smith (25no) enabled his side reach 198/8 in their allotted 40 overs. Mark Watson (Harpo) with 3, Ben, Sam MJ, Max, Lee and another new signing Olly Spedding with 1 each were our wicket takers.
In reply new South African professional Dave Christie with 51 from 46 balls ( 7x4 & 2x6) and new signing Toby Barton with 12 got us off to a solid start with 32 for the first wicket. After Dave was dismissed with the score on 79 Adam (19) and Olly (4) then fell in quick succession leaving us 99/4. Another new signinig Sam Dinning and skipper Belly steadied the ship adding 33 before Belly (12) was dismissed and when Max was out for 9 the game seemed to be in the balance. Ben however tipped the odds in our favour with 22 off 12 balls until he was run out with the score on 185. The 2 Sam’s then saw us over the line with an over and a bit to spare SMJ hitting a boundary and a maximum to win the game whilst Sam D anchored the innings with a composed 49 not out from 63 balls (3x4; 1x6).
The game was an excellent run out in a closely fought competitive game prior to the start of the NEPL season on the 18th. We travel to take on Barnard Castle CC in the next round on Sunday 26th April.
