HARD EARNED WIN FOR PROMOTION SEEKING THIRDS   Date: 17 Aug 09

Scarborough 3rds were made to fight all the way by a determined Flixton 3rds outfit but eventually ran out winners by 40 runs with just 9 balls to spare.

After winning the toss Scarborough skipper Martin North elected to bat first  but must have been ruing his decision when his young charges  slumped to 27 for 4 and then 40 for 5 by the 12th over .None of the early batsmen could cope with the strong wind which was holding up the ball from one end and  consequently were playing at the ball far too early.

It was at this stage that the veteran North joined fifteen year old Josh Weatherill  who was unbeaten on ten .They shared a sixth wicket partnership of 67 before Weatherill, who had had previously  limited opportunity to shine  for the seasiders , was dismissed for 47.

North then began to assert his authority on the match hitting 2 sixes and 10 fours in an innings of 70 before he became one of Steve Pratt's four victims.He and youngster Kawsar Ahmed 28 put on 77 for the seventh wicket taking the score to 184 with still 5 overs remaining.

Scarborough finished on 211 for 9 a score which looked very distant with half the side out for 40.

In reply the hosts who were missing some key players  put up a stubborn response before seccumbing to some excellent bowling from Barry Mitchell  6-57 and leg spin magician Jordan Welford 4-53 ,  finishing some 40 runs behind with just 9 balls remaining.

Scarborough accomplished their mission of securing 20 points but it must be said that they certainly had a few scares on the way. (see full match report)