Ross and Tattersall help Harrogate chase down total with ease

Ross led a successful chase alongside Yorkshire ace Jonny Tattersall (75 not out) as the pair struck up a 139-run partnership to down Doncaster Town by eight wickets.

The Harrogate batsmen eased over Donny’s first innings total of 203, which saw Tom Geeson-Brown, who struck with the first ball of the match, and Dave Foster both take three wickets.

Ross took just 78 balls for his match-winning knock, and he was delighted to have carried out his own memo to the team.

The skipper praised the squad for turning bad experiences from earlier in the season into a positive gain.

“Every time we chase down a total now, we seem to have learned from our mistakes first time around earlier in the season,” he added.

“The message from me as captain has been to go out there and take out the scoreboard pressure as a factor and play positively from the start.

“It’s important that the batsmen don’t go into the shell, that’s the worst thing they can do when you’re chasing.

“We are naturally very aggressive players.

“It’s proven in our last few games that is the best way to approach a chase.

“When we had such a great start to the season, we batted first nearly every time. I still think that’s our strongest suit but it’s pleasing to see we can chase down totals too.

Saturday’s victory left Harrogate in third, but put a ten-point gap on this weekend’s opponents Rotherham Town directly below them. Barnsley and York are in front of Harrogate in the table by 11 and eight points respectively.

But the top two are scheduled to play ‘Gate before the season ends, and despite not having the title race in their hands, Ross has not given up hope of lifting the crown in September.

Harrogate are likely to be unchanged for the match against Rotherham.

On the tie, Ross said: “This Saturday is the first big test of the last four games with Rotherham away.

“We have managed to build up some breathing space over them and if we win that, we carry on our great momentum going into the last three games.

“Our next three matches are all tough games, but if we win those, we will be definitely be close to that top spot.”