Ashley McKinley’s Patrington Cricket Club first team picked up just their second win of 2024 in what was one of their strongest performances in the past 16 months as they swept aside a good-looking Dunnington outfit by 104 runs at Southside on Bank Holiday Monday.
Losing the toss, McKinley’s men were invited to bat first on what would be a cricket wicket, and the home captain came out of the blocks firing. Despite losing Fincham and his brother Connor early on in proceedings, together with vice-captain Ian Buss, the pair, along with extras, batted at a healthy rate.
The home skipper hit some towering maximums into the breeze in an excellent half-century before he fell for 51, tamely passing the ball to backward point.
Glenn Ratcliffe then joined Buss and the pair continued the good work, reaching 164 for 3 before Buss (43) fell seven short of a deserved half-century. Van Es (11) and Ratcliffe (29) fell in the space of five balls, causing a little stutter.
A brief cameo of 14 from the hard-hitting McElwee was cut short when he was adjudged LBW, so it was left to Bob Eldon-Smith, with an entertaining 25 not out, to add some late impetus to the innings as Patrington posted 248 all out.
It was a solid batting effort with some good contributions, with extras actually top-scoring with 52.
At halfway and the sun shining, the hosts were still unsure if they had enough runs on the board, feeling a strong start with the ball was imperative. But it was the visitors who looked to seize the initiative.
Openers Ollie Pimlott and Harvey Jackson (26) flew out of the blocks, taking 42 from the opening five overs.
The hosts, slightly stunned, fought back, with left-armer Nettleton finding the breakthrough. McKinley removed Buss from the attack as spinner Danny Collinson (2-23) joined Nettleton (3-29) and the pair bowled superbly.
The latter particularly impressed once again with another three-wicket haul as the Dunnington innings stuttered, managing just 42 for 5 from the next 20 overs to go into the drinks interval at 84 for 5.
The hosts, now in the ascendancy, saw Grant Van Es (3-31) and Curtis McElwee (2-28) continue the good work as Patrington went on to record an impressive 104-run victory. It was a timely win as the firsts look to get their season back on track.
Next week they travel to Brandesburton in what is sure to be another test.
Many thanks to this week’s match sponsor, Ripon Farm Services.
