Town Thirds Draw With Airmyn at Norwood

The 3rd XI entertained high flying Airmyn hoping to build on last weeks success at South Holderness.

The visitors won the toss and asked Beverley to bat first on a wet track. Harry Bardon, returning from University, opened the batting in place of the injured Kev Thompson and hit the ground running with a quick fire 53 from 51 balls. Rich Moon (14) and Ian Goforth (22) made watchful starts but could not turn them into big scores through some very tight Airmyn bowling.

When Paul Fleming went first ball Town, at 99 for 4 from 27 overs, looked like they might struggle to post a decent total. Graeme Taylor and Matt Smith (14) then had a 79 run partnership which brought Beverley right back into the game. Skipper Kieran O’Brian (16 no) joined Taylor (85) to take the score past the 200 mark. Taylor has now scored over 400 runs in his most prolific season in years. Beverley closed on 215 for 7 in their reduced allocation of 44 overs.

Airmyn got off to a flyer with some good shots against some slack bowling and, at 119 for 1 in the 26th over, looked well placed to win the game. The introduction of Taylor by the Town skipper brought two wickets in his very first over which put Beverley firmly in the driving seat. Matt Smith (11 overs 1 for 31) bowled tightly and with no luck at times, producing some unplayable deliveries for both batsman and wicket keeper.

With Airmyn still only needing six an over off the last ten it was left to Brad Dobson to return to produce a fine spell of bowling. He picked up two key wickets to put Beverley clearly back on top. O’Brian also bowled tightly taking 1 for 26 from 8 overs and Alex Morrell, bowling his first spell in two months, picked up a wicket. Both Bardon and Dobson took excellent catches in the deep as Airmyn closed on 177 for 7. Beverley had to battle really hard to get the better of the draw and fifteen points.