Two important knock-out cup matches took precedence in the latest round of scheduled fixtures in the Feversham Cricket League.
The Supplementary Cup is not a particularly inspiring name for a competition, and it might, therefore, be construed as being of minor importance compared to the other three available cups for clubs to compete in.
Its attraction is that the rules give opportunities for those with lesser skills to enjoy greater participation.
Normally a more relaxed atmosphere pervades, which wasn't the case when Gillamoor entertained Glaisdale in the final with both sides determined to win, leading to an excellent brand of cricket culminating in a thrilling climax.
Whilst Glaisdale's all-rounder Charlie Parker (eventually 3 wickets for 15 runs from 3 overs) took a fine caught and bowled in the third over, Gillamoor were well placed at 82 for 2 after 8 overs.
Tom Beeforth took a fine catch, nevertheless consistently aggressive batting by Henry Marwood (26 retired), Jake Edwards (24 ret), Paul Casey (28 ret) and Josh Lawson (20) took Gillamoor to a highly satisfactory 138 for 6 in 18 overs.
Lucas Simpson 2 for 22.
However, writing off Glaisdale's chances is never a good idea, given that they have Charlie Parker in their ranks.
He did not disappoint having to retire on 25 as Jay Allison had to do.
Thanks to their combined efforts Glaisdale scented victory despite them losing wickets at regular intervals (Percy Marwood 2 for 9, Jake Edwards 2 for 25, Tom Atkinson 2 for 28).
It all boiled down to Glaisdale needing 12 to win from the final over.
A monstrous '6' by Iain Groark off the first ball brought Glaisdale joy only to be deflated when he was bowled next ball.
Parker (extended to 36 not out) and Allison (27) whittled the total down so 2 were required from the last ball – which amidst considerable tension Glaisdale could only manage to scrape a single before a run-out, thus ensuring a tie.
The rules were quickly consulted and number 6 gave the answer – a Gillamoor victory by nature of the fact they lost fewer wickets (6) as opposed to Glaisdale (10).
Charlie Parker received the man of the match award.
Moving north to Westerdale's beautifully appointed ground where Duncombe Park were the visitors in the delayed Countess of Feversham Cup semi-final.
Duncombe Park's captain Jon Leckenby found getting a side together frustratingly difficult.
Nevertheless, those that did turn up were keen and actually enjoyed the evening even though they were on the losing side.
Despite the patchwork nature of the team, Duncombe Park, batting first, did reasonably well in totalling 98 for 8 in 20 overs.
Andrew Taylor looked in good form making 21 before holing out in the deep.
Joseph Dunn performed well for his undefeated 25.
Stuart Dowson (3 for 16) and Andy Watson (2 for 14) were the stand-out bowlers.
Westerdale made an unconvincing start, and were not that well positioned on 30 for 3 after 8 overs, struggling against the pace of Adam Dunn (2 for 12) and Dan Otterburn-Smith (1 for 16).
With Joseph Dunn chipping in with a wicket, and darkness slowly descending, a surprise Duncombe Park victory was very much on the cards.
Opener Mark Thompson and captain James O'Donnell gradually wrested the initiative back in Westerdale's favour.
Although Josh Lawson bowled Thompson for 27, the last over began with Westerdale needing a gettable 9 runs for victory.
Unfortunately for Duncombe Park, player of the match O'Donnell was on strike, and the sequence of runs from it were 2 wides, 2 runs, 4 runs, 4 runs i.e. 102 for 6.
A word of praise for Duncombe Park's 12-year-old George Leckenby who fielded enthusiastically and even at this early stage looks to be full of promise.
There is a danger that whilst understandably greater prominence is given to the fight for the League championship, the doings of the two strugglers around the foot of the table, namely Lockton and Slingsby, who are engaged in a battle to claim fourth spot and thus qualify for the Top Four Play-offs, should not be overlooked.
These two met in a crucial encounter at Slingsby, and it was the home side who batted first, setting off in whirlwind fashion, the electric scoreboard showing 73 for 0 after 8 overs.
This was due to a scintillating partnership between Ben Corner and Sam Page.
which was only broken on 83 when Corner fell for 34.
Page followed soon afterwards for 48.
Thereafter, except for Harry Page (12), Slingsby crumpled ignominiously due to a series of rash strokes.
The chief benefactor was Dan Hardey who in an amazing spell of 4 overs took 5 wickets for 8 runs including an all bowled hat-trick.
From a position of dominance Slingsby were all out for 136.
One would have expected Lockton to have been buoyed by these events, but their response was disappointing, 33 for 5 had a sickly look about it with only George Brown (15) able to make any headway.
Even the ever-reliable Dan Hardey couldn't register a score, being one of Mark Walford's 4 victims for just 4 runs in a 4-over spell.
Lockton subsided to an eventual 71 all out.
Charlie Coulson with 17 delayed the inevitable for a while, but Jake Dickinson with 3 for 22 gave Lockton no respite.
Requiring only one point from their two remaining League matches to be champions, Glaisdale have had to put the champagne on ice for another week as they went down to a chastening 43-run defeat at Gillamoor.
Gillamoor's batting strength was in evidence with half-centuries from Bobby Wood-Rymer (56) and Percy Marwood (51) and 32 from Sam Turner putting them in a virtually unassailable position totalling 157 for 5 in 18 overs.
Glaisdale had 20 on the board after 2 overs, but the loss of 2 quick wickets set them back, and progress was stalled.
Liam Calvert with 42 provided resistance before being run out, but Jack Simpson's 3 for 16 snuffed out Glaisdale hopes and they were all out on the last ball of the innings for 114.
Iain Grark (13), Thomas Tindall (10).
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