Skipper’s 80-ball century keeps Harrogate in pursuit of Yorkshire League leaders

Captain George Ross plundered a century to get Harrogate CC back on track in the Yorkshire League with a fine win over Appleby Frodingham on Saturday afternoon.
George Ross batting against Appleby Frodingham (Caught Light Photography)George Ross batting against Appleby Frodingham (Caught Light Photography)
George Ross batting against Appleby Frodingham (Caught Light Photography)

Harrogate ended a month-long wait for a Yorkshire League win with an enterprising display from the first ball to collect a 132-run triumph.

Ross’ side continued their attacking intent which saw them fall just of T20 glory last Sunday as they hammered 293-8 after electing to bat. Dave Foster then made use of the spinning conditions to skittle Appleby for 161.

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Harrogate now sit third in the table, 14 points adrift of form-side Barnsley. With a series of easier games lined up, Ross has urged his side to build momentum by repeating their early season form.

“It was a great weekend,” said Ross. “We needed a win to get back on the winning streak and we did it in good fashion.

“We have put our foot down now to hopefully get some good wins on the trot and can put some pressure on the teams around us.”

Harrogate had not won in the Yorkshire League since beating Frodingham by 24 runs last month but they found comfort against the Lincolnshire team from early on at St George’s Road.

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After scoring runs in last weekend’s shorter format, Ross shunted usual number 11 Sam Davies to the top of the order and the bowler smashed one six in a 21-ball knock of 22.

Once he had fallen, overseas opener Connor Ryan (114) and Yorkshire’s Jonny Tattersall (64) steadied the innings with an 80-run partnership – setting the game up perfectly for Ross to add late fireworks.

The captain came to the crease with the score on 114-2 and added another 87 runs with Tattersall before the latter was bowled by John Heath.

Ross continued to find boundaries as wickets tumbled around him and ended with an 80-ball score of 102, which included six maximums.

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Frodingham’s opening pair of captain Duncan Heath and Matt Morland put on 50 runs for the opening stand, but Foster’s early introduction on a spinning deck was crucial to Harrogate turning the innings in their favour.

Foster removed Heath on 18 and held down one end in a 16.4 over spell that heralded figures of 5-47. Tattersall’s leg spin also caused issue to the Frodingham batsmen, and he took three mid-order wickets.

Reflecting on his match-winning innings, Ross said his T20 experience last week freed up his arms.

He said: “I normally play better when I am playing attacking. It’s been hard when we’ve been in tight games as I’ve had to restrain myself.

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“In all forms of cricket we need to play our own game and be confident. The bit of freedom in the T20 really helped me to get into some nick again.

“But it all came from having a good start.”

Meanwhile, Ali-Hasan Ahmed’s five wickets sent Harrogate 2nds to a four-wicket win over Clifton Alliance 2nds in York Senior League Division Two North.

Ahmed helped remove Clifton for 191 before George Owran was irremovable at the top of the order with an unbeaten 92 in the successful chase.