HAPPIER days at long last for the long-suffering Spout House Cricket Club supporters, who have remained patient waiting to witness their team’s first home game of the season.

That special moment eventually arrived on June 10 when High Farndale were the visitors in a Feversham League encounter. Unfortunately for Spout House, High Farndale chose to take the gloss off the occasion by inflicting a comprehensive eight wicket victory over them.

On an evening of unbroken sunshine, Spout House elected to bat, and the openers Charlie Allott and Dan Medd put on 27 before Mark Fairweather held a stinging catch to dismiss Allott for 12 in the eighth over.

Medd progressed to 31 before being bowled by one that kept low from veteran Norman Tinsley, who captured three wickets for just eight runs in three overs. Chris Wilson (2 for 13) also restricted Spout House.

With no batsmen except the openers reaching even 5, Spout House’s final total of 61 for 6 never looked quite enough, and it became less adequate when High Farndale’s opening pair, Rob Atkinson and Brian Leckenby, plundered 18 off the first two overs; Atkinson striking a six and a four off the first two balls.

Though the batsmen were then confined to adding only a further 17 in the next six overs, no wicket fell until James Allison had Atkinson (23) caught with the score on 51. Two runs later Leckenby departed for 29, caught by wicketkeeper Allott off Brian Hall. But with more than four overs left High Farndale were too close to be thwarted, and Craig Sunley, with a confident 9 not out, stroked them to victory with 2.3 of the 16 overs to spare.

Ampleforth entertained Spout House in the Countess of Feversham Cup, and emerged victorious by four wickets.

Spout House batted first and made 99 for 5 off 20 overs.

Charlie Allott opened the innings with Dan Medd (28) and was still at the crease when the overs expired, having made a most pleasing 56 not out. Two wickets apiece for Jack Simpson and Mark Wilkie.

In reply, Ampleforth got off to a good start with Lyle Hillier, who contributed 34, and when he was dismissed Mark Wilkie took up the anchor role with an undefeated 36, to see Ampleforth through in the 18th over. Josh Casey made 10, with L Featherstone proving the pick of the Spout House bowlers with 3 for 21, supported by T Atkinson (2 for 35).

Ampleforth are at home to either Duncombe Park or Gillamoor in the next round.

Slingsby were eagerly looking forward to providing their usual blend of friendly hospitality to visitors High Farndale.

Unfortunately, in keeping with the season so far, after six overs the heavens opened, rendering further play impossible.

By that time Slingsby were rather precariously poised at 17 for 3. A Machin had a defiant unbeaten 13 to his name, while Mark Fairweather’s two wickets for one run promised even better things to come,but sadly it was not to be.