Newby face stern test of mettle
MASHAM are on a roll and skipper Rob Smith is eager to keep it going against Ouseburn tomorrow, as the third-placed outfit seek to put pressure on the division's top two.
Middleham became their latest victims at the weekend, and the captain wants his men to continue the good work against a side who have had a topsy-turvy run so far.
“I was really happy with Saturday, it was a good performance by us,” said Smith.
“We’ve had a good start to the season so far, we had a couple of good results then a few we weren’t so happy with but we’ve picked up and won quite a few since then.
“We’ve just got to keep it going.
“Ouseburn are a good young team with a lot of decent players.
“Their opening bowler Jamie Bryant gets quite a few wickets so he’s a danger.”
Smith himself led the way on Saturday with an undefeated knock of 72, having seen his bowlers Dwayne Heck (3-20) and Mark Ellis (3-27) limit Middleham to 97-9 with the bat.
David Skaith returns to the order this weekend, a timely and valuable addition according to the captain.
“Dave’s back on Saturday and that means we’ll be nice and strong for the game,” said Smith.
“We’ll be without Adam Smith but Dave being back is a big boost for us so we will be confident.”
NEWBY Hall skipper Matt Uffindall is gearing his troops up for a stern test of their mettle tomorrow, when they go up against one of the top flight’s toughest opening bowling partnerships
Hampered by Hampsthwaite on Saturday, Newby are still searching for their first league win this year, but are steeling themselves for the threat posed by Goldsborough’s David Cummings and Russell Robshaw tomorrow.
“Goldsborough are a good side,” said Uffindall
“ Dave Cummings and Russell Robshaw are probably the best opening bowling partnership in the league and they’re two good lads.
“As a team they’ve had some good results but they can be a bit unpredictable.
“At the moment, every team will see where we are in the table and fancy themselves against us.
“That’s just something we’ve got to get on with and keep plugging away.”
Newby’s young guns set a creditable total of 200 against Hamp’ on Saturday, but suffered a nasty bout of dropped catches in the Hamp reply which later proved costly.
Uffindall is remaining cool about his side’s prospects this term, and believes there is plenty of time for improvement.
“We’re bottom of the league, and when your luck doesn’t go for you it’s frustrating,” he said.
“We posted 200 for the second week which is great, and all the batsmen contributed on Saturday, Paul Yeadon, Grant Leivers and Ryan Devine in particular did well.
“But we dropped Paul Taylor four times. Two of those were total regulation catches and he then went on to get 93, so that was disappointing.
“But we’ve got to keep things in perspective.
“We’re a very young side, there’s only one or two of us with a lot of first division experience and the lads are doing well in fits and starts.
“It’s not up to the mark yet but there’s a long way to go.
“As a club we’re the strongest we’ve been in years, taking into consideration the juniors, the second and third teams etc.
“The first team may be struggling but as a club we’re buoyant.
Ryan Devine and Craig Somerville miss this weekend’s game but Eddie Jakeman and Damian Garvey both return to the squad to face Goldsborough.
Second-team bowler David Henstock will make the step up to the first team tomorrow.
“We want to give Dave a go, he’s a canny little player and definitely one to watch for the future,” Uffindall added.
MIDDLEHAM lost out to Masham last week, and will be searching for better at home to Killinghall tomorrow.
Masham visit Ouseburn, while HELPERBY travel to champions Pannal fresh from a victory over table-leaders Dacre Banks.
ackrill.sport@ypn.co.uk
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Weather for Ripon
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
