The 1st XI’s final home match of the 2022 league campaign, which was staged on Monday, 29th August, (the final Bank Holiday before Christmas, 2022!), against visitors Billingham Synthonia, resulted in a home victory by some 154 runs.

An incredible knock of 179 not out by Yash Vagadia, (an individual Club record : 167 balls faced), was the main reason the 1st XI secured another 25 points. Yash has scored three centuries in seven days. The other two centuries were made by Yash whilst representing Yorkshire Academy against Lancashire Academy in a three day Under 19 County Championship match.

Fine contributions by Harry Crawshaw, (72 not out), and Alan Tebbett, (45 runs), put “Billingham” under severe pressure when they started to bat. They had to score the small matter of 311 runs to win!

The visitors were soon reduced to 10 runs for 4 wickets thanks to excellent bowling from Club Professional, Paul Braithwaite, and Matty Adamson. Italian international, JP Meade, then played a superb innings of 82 runs from 74 balls runs before he was out to a brilliant one handed caught and bowled by Crawshaw, who went on to claim a total of four wickets for 28 runs off 8.2 overs, thereby capping a fine performance by the ever improving Durham player. Once Meade had been dismissed, the game was effectively over.

Those spectators who took in the match on what was “Panama Hat Day” will remember the magnificent innings of Yash, which included 20 fours and three sixes, all of which were of the highest quality!

This win by the 1st XI continues the superb form of Tom Gavin’s team, ie. seven wins and two draws in the last nine 9 NYSD Premier League matches, which is a great tribute to Tom’s captaincy. Tom’s captaincy has been outstanding. The hard training sessions over the last two months, or so has certainly led to positive results on the field of play.

I’m sure Ken Gardner MBE would have thoroughly enjoyed the day’s cricket that was on offer at Park Drive on Bank Holiday Monday!

Michael Gough Senior