Patrington 1st XI – 175 all out
Goole Town 1st XI – 136 all out
Patrington win by 39 runs (10 points)
Patrington CC’s first team secured an important 39-run victory on the road against Goole on Saturday.
In a game where they didn’t have everything their own way, they fought hard to grind out the win, which keeps them in sixth spot as the race for a top-six finish intensifies.
Winning the toss, Ashley McKinley opted to bat first on another warm day. However, it was the home side who threw the early punches, claiming three early wickets to leave Patrington in trouble at 31 for 3, with opening bowlers Cooper (2-30) and Coughlin (4-54) making early inroads. A slight tweak in the batting order saw Connor McKinley come in at number five, joining the in-form Jacob Duffill at the crease.
The pair steadied the ship and looked in good order as Patrington began to gain the initiative. However, this all changed in the space of 11 balls when Duffill (28) and then McKinley (21) fell to the slow left-arm spin of England (2-33).
The visitors were now in serious need of a substantial partnership, and it was left-handers Daniel Fincham and Bob Eldon-Smith who provided it. Fincham, not in the greatest form, found his touch early on and played a positive, much-needed innings for his side, while Eldon-Smith, as usual, looked assured.
With some positive running between the wickets, the partnership began to blossom. Adding 79 for the sixth wicket, they looked set to help Patrington post a substantial total on a pitch that offered something for the bowlers when they hit the right areas. However, just as Patrington looked to be on top, the home side struck back.
The score of 156 for 5 turned into 175 all out as opener Coughlin returned to pick up some vital lower-order wickets for his side. Fincham had added 43 from 54 balls, and Eldon-Smith 36, but when both fell, the lower order failed to add significant runs. Only Brian Butler, with an invaluable 13 not out, provided any real resistance as Patrington fell about 40 runs short of what they felt was a par score.
With a depleted bowling attack missing openers Ineson and Nettleton, along with the experienced Buss and the wrist spin of McElwee, Patrington knew they would have to bowl and field well and make early breakthroughs to give themselves a chance of restricting the home side.
Thankfully, Captain McKinley provided the perfect start for his side, taking two wickets with his first seven deliveries – firstly a searing yorker that got through the defence of the dangerous Shelton, followed by a catch in the slips by Eldon-Smith that saw Patrington off to a flyer.
McKinley was quick to bring Van Es into the attack, seizing the opportunity, and after McGinty struck, Van Es followed in the next over with his captain taking a good catch as the hosts stuttered to 28 for four. McGinty, taking a rest, was replaced by Collinson in another move that reaped instant rewards, making it five down with just 49 on the board. This time it was Van Es with the sharp catch as the Patrington bowling and fielding started superbly.
Goole, however, still had captain Foster at the crease, and now joined by Thorpe (18), the pair batted patiently against the tight bowling of Van Es and Collinson as they added 50 in 16 overs to get their side back into the game. By now, both McKinley and McGinty had returned to the attack for another short, sharp burst as the captain rotated his four bowlers to great effect.
It was McGinty (3-31) who provided a double breakthrough with two wickets in four balls, leaving Goole at 99 for seven. Needing 77 in 18 overs, and with Foster still at the crease, both results were still possible.
Another partnership developed as McKinley once again continued to juggle his bowlers. Van Es (1-29) completed his 13 overs, and the captain, along with Collinson, returned. It was McKinley who this time provided the magic, assisted by a sharp catch from Duffill in short cover to remove Foster (47). Collinson (2-30) and McKinley (4-38) then wrapped up the innings in a flash as Patrington dismissed the hosts for 136 in the 45th over.
It was a performance that showed plenty of spirit, despite a number of key personnel missing, means that Patrington stay in sixth position, just one point ahead of Brandesburton, whom they entertain this Saturday in what is sure to be a keenly fought contest. With five games of the season remaining, a positive result is key for both sides in the fight to finish in the top six and secure a place in Premier 2 in 2025.
Many thanks to this week’s match sponsor, Roxby Farm Supplies.
