SLINGSBY Cricket Club, members of the Feversham League, appear to be symbolising the problems experienced by a number of village clubs in attempting to fulfil evening fixtures with a full complement of 11 players.

The issue was there for all to see when they only fielded eight players in their overwhelming 81-run defeat at home to a powerful Burythorpe side in the Countess of Feversham Cup.

Before the match, Slingsby thought they’d be up against it as they only had ten players available, but when two didn’t turn up it became mission impossible.

Burythorpe, batting first, were able to take full advantage of the big gaps in the field, and had little trouble in accumulating an unassailable 154 for 3.

M Beckett with 59 not out led the way, followed by D Harper (47) and D Davies (37 not out).

Max Frazer was rewarded for his perseverance, taking two wickets at the cost of 35 runs.

He also batted gamely in Slingsby’s response with a resolute 14 – as did D Bentley who achieved the same score.

Slingsby eventually made it to, in the circumstances, a relatively respectable 73 all out.

M Beckett was the top bowler with 2 for 6.

Burythorpe are now away to the winners of York R I (based at Slingsby) or High Farndale in the semi-final.

Slingsby’s woes continued when they made the trip to High Farndale to become the first visitors this season to what is known locally as the High Farndale July cricket festival.

Faced with a spirited bowling attack, spearheaded by Chris Wilson (4 for 17 from 5 overs), and T Hunt (3 for 5 from 4 overs), Slingsby’s batsmen struggled from the start.

Ben Corner (12) made it into double figures, a feat which none of his colleagues managed to achieve, as Slingsby had to be content with a not exactly daunting final total of 42 for 8.

This presented no real problem to High Farndale, even though John Hatfield captured two early wickets.

Despite a commendable fiveover spell by Corner, conceding just three runs, M Aconley (27 not out) and C Sunley (10 not out) ensured there were no further alarms.

High Farndale won by eight wickets.

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