After a break for GCSE exams, the Yorkshire CCC Under 16 season is now in full swing as preparation continues for the ECB Under 16 One Day Cup competition.

On Tuesday 16th June, our 1st XI wicketkeeper batsman and Aquarod-sponsored Monty Ramsden, reported at Lancashire’s Clitheroe CC exactly 18 hours after the completion of his final GCSE to take on the red rose county.

Almost 600 runs were scored in a high quality 50 over fixture with the hosts just edging it.
When Monty went to the crease the required rate was approaching 10 runs per over.

Much of the winter training programme at Headingley had focussed on short-pitched deliveries with the speed set at 65 to 75 mph at distances as short as 16 yards.

It became evident why as on this afternoon in the Pendle hills as Monty faced a barrage of short deliveries from Blackpool born paceman Mo Patel. One bouncer was so short it soared 2 metres over the Lancs keeper for 5 wides; the next delivery struck Monty on the helmet – a great challenge for greater ones ahead.

Soon afterwards, he was dismissed to probably his best shot of the day, drilling a full-length ball to the mid-on fielder on the edge of the ring for 10.

Next time the Roses counties clash at this age group will be their eigth and final group game of the ECB under 16 Cup northern group on Sunday 9th August at Liverpool’s Bootle CC.

Both counties will be hoping they are played 7, won 7 with qualification for the knockout rounds secured and a victory will top the group to secure a home play-off fixture as the competition goes national.

A week later, Clifton Alliance CC in York was the venue for the visit of Warwickshire, another powerhouse of county age group cricket. With two Under 16 players playing for the U18 Academy in Birmingham and 3 others n/a, Yorkshire fielded two U15s and an U14 in their side.

Monty had warmed up handily on Monday evening in the Halifax Junior League fixture against HX3 rivals Northowram Fields who have recruited extensively for their U18 squad. Their attack included Derbyshire U18 and Pudsey Congs 1st XI opening bowler Max Berry who had taken the wickets of two of Woodland’s top players - New Zealand star all-rounder Brad Schmulian and prolific young opener Matty Weston on in the Bentley Drains Bradford Premier League on Saturday.

Warwickshire won the toss and unsurprisingly chose to bat first on a scorching day adjacent to York CC’s two grounds, one which is the county ground!

After a fast start, 21-0 off 8 deliveries, Yorkshire fought back into the match and eventually dismissed Warwickshire for 188. Monty again kept very tidily and is yet to concede a bye on county duty this summer. He bagged one caught behind, stood up to left arm finger spinner Charlie Richardson who took 2 wickets playing for the 2nd XI this week. Monty also completed a sharp run out, assisting his extra cover colleague Oli Shepherd. For the record, seamer Alex Davis from Marske-by-the-sea did most of the damage finishing with 5 for 22.

Monty was asked to bat at 8 and was probably hoping his work was done in the ever-increasing afternoon heat. Almost certainly, he would not have expected to be in the middle after the last ball of the 11th over with Yorkshire up against it on 34 for 6.
He joined U15 batsman James Shaw at the crease as the pair added the then biggest partnership of the innings for the 7th wicket of 29. Monty’s contribution was minimal as, to quote former Yorkshire junior and current LCC 1st XI opening batsman Niall Lockley, Monty “dug in” with Brookesque doggedness. Indeed, Monty only scored 7 runs off his first 34 deliveries received.

However, the fall of the 9th wicket saw a gear change when Noah Birtwhistle joined him at the crease.

As is often the case at this level of cricket, “Bertie” is not your typical number 11 but is an accomplished batsman. A partnership blossomed quite quickly and had reached 50 when Monty was the last man out, but not after giving Warwickshire a bit of a scare.

His 51 off 77 balls in an 88-minute innings included six 4s and a 6 and was the top score of the match. Warwickshire still won by 46 runs, but the margin of victory had been significantly reduced and Yorkshire’s blushes spared.

Match highlights here https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_summary#m26ff0381-e77a-4b49-a2c4-192553030a1f

Yorkshire U16s were due to play in Northampton on Thursday but with the temperatures down south expected to be well into the 40s and 3 fixtures to be played next week, the friendly fixture has been cancelled so Yorkshire U16s prep for the ECB County Cup is complete.

Next week’s fixtures, all in the ECB Under 16 County Cup are:

• Monday 29th June – Durham away at Norton CC, Stockton on Tees
• Wednesday 1st July – Northumberland at North Marine Road, Scarborough CC and Yorkshire CCC
• Friday 3rd July – Cumbria at Burneside CC, Kendal

Yorkshire CCC Under 15s were also playing on Wednesday, away to Durham at Darlington CC’s Feethams ground. Sporting historians will recognise this name as the 3-sided ancestral home of Darlington FC too.

LCC’s Lucas Arnot was included to play at a venue which has also hosted Durham CCC 1st XI fixtures. Winning the toss, again unsurprisingly, Yorkshire chose to bat.

Lucas was soon in with the score at 10 for 1 and batted at his fluent best. His 55 was also the highest score of the match and came off 62 balls including four x 4s and a 6 in an 83-minute innings. The score when he was departed was 133 for 4 but this platform was not maximised as Yorkshire were all out for 209 crucially leaving 7.3 overs unused.

In reply, Durham lost wickets at regular intervals. Lucas bowled the last 8 overs from one end with his left arm finger spin. He bowled with great control to concede only 19 runs from his 8 overs, but his frugality was not quite enough as Durham sneaked home with 8 wickets down and only 9 balls to spare. Had the Yorkshire lads used all their 50 overs, it is very likely they would have returned home victorious.

Their next opportunity for victory comes this weekend when Lucas next makes the long journey to Northamptonshire, the journey Monty avoided this week due to the extreme weather cancellation. Lucas is fortunate with the venue this Sunday being the splendid Bedford School.

So a good week personally for our two young Yorkshire players with top scoring half centuries in their respective matches. However, knowing both lads as we do, they would have undoubtedly traded their runs for 2 wins!

Good luck for the week ahead lads from all at LCC!