Ovington v Goole 2nd XI
After a good performance last week at promotion chasing Acomb, that ended with a good performance, but without many points Goole’s young second team travelled to table toppers Ovington.
Eight weeks earlier Goole were bowled out for 29 against the league leaders. However, with a more experienced batting line up and the addition of Mark Hinchcliffe to the bowling attack, Goole had a bit more bite to counteract the divisional leaders. Having lost the toss Goole expected to be asked to bat, but Ovington had other ideas and decided that they would bat first. This turned out to be a match-deciding decision as they found the wicket hard to score on as Goole’s bowlers used the conditions well to restrict scoring as well as taking early wickets.
Louis Greaves and Hinchcliffe kept things tight with the latter taking 3-18 from his 12 overs. Captain Anthony Gibbins (2-28) and Thomas Marritt (3-38) continued the good work, going at less than four an over and picking up five wickets between them with Marritt, three, and Gibbins, two. Ovington’s no.3 Lamb stood firm scoring 71 not out and captain Busby 23 in a 66-run partnership that took the score from 67-7 to 131-8, but Goole did well to restrict Ovington to 136-9. Goole in reply were confident that a good start would see them well on the way to victory.
They were accompanied throughout the day with music from the nearby Hot Air Balloon festival at the adjacent Knavesmire, which made atmosphere for the match seem like a 2020 at Headingley, rather than a game in the York Senior League Division 3. Simon Franks swapped places with his son Thomas to open the batting with captain Anthony Gibbins and the decision by the skipper worked immediately as the pair put on 48 without too many scares for the first wicket. Gibbins fell for 32 and when Callum Woodcock (6) and Ollie Chappell (11) were both out after playing indifferent shots, Ovington sniffed a victory. Going by Goole’s 29 all out earlier in the season there was a chance that this may occur, but those thoughts were quickly put to bed as Thomas Franks joined dad, Simon at the crease.
The pair decided that 45 overs was the aim and if they stayed together Goole would win the game. As it turned out, after a couple of scares the Franks boys scored a match-winning 62 run partnership with Thomas, 26, and Simon, 47 not out, at the end of the game. Shortly before victory the balloon festival organisers decided to release their balloons, which may well have been in celebration of Goole’s fantastic team performance and seven-wicket victory. It was a fantastic performance from the young team who were made up of eight under-18s.
Goole never looked in danger of losing the game and showed what potential they have in coming years when the youngsters are a little more experienced. Goole have two games to go in division three, and next week they face Drax at home and finish the season away at Carlton Towers.
The Frank boys. (02-09-25 SU)
