Ilkley win the derby clash (From Ilkley Gazette)

Ilkley win the derby clash

9:25am Thursday 18th June 2009

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Ilkley entertained table leaders Olicanians on a baking summer’s day at Denton Road on Saturday.

Victory for either side would send a message of defiance to the rest of the Airedale and Wharfedale league Division Three teams. It was the home team who walked away with all six points in what was Ilkley’s best performance so far this season.

The bowling was tight, the catching exceptional and the batting outstanding.

Olicanians were first to bat, and a quick glance at the scorebook would indicate that the young Ilkley bowlers are hitting good form.

Mark Coldwell and Rob Spivey claimed the wickets of the top five batsmen between them. Coldwell put a first ball wide behind him as Olicanians opener Darren Murray was caught behind by wicketkeeper Jo Varley in the first over. This was just the start the Ilkley faithful were hoping for.

Nevertheless Olicanians are top of the table for a reason, and possess a genuinely strong batting line-up. Complacency could be Ilkley’s downfall.

Moments later, though, Thomas spooned a full toss straight to a grateful Andy Wheeler at mid-on and Coldwell’s second breakthrough was greeted with rapturous applause from the growing crowd.

Brown and Ally Long put together an ominous mini-partnership with well-timed shots through cover, and back-foot pulls to leg.

The run-rate was well above average but wickets in hand are the key in the first session of any limited overs game.

Mike Sant – patrolling the field in his favourite position at gully – caught twice off the bowling of Spivey. One of them was a belter; a flash outside off stump had the ball rising with venom to a crouching Sant. Leaping high, Sant made the catch with a brilliant one-handed effort.

Olicanian’s McCabe made some patient runs until Spivey had him caught behind. The Australian stood his ground at first until the umpire was gently coaxed to raise the finger of fate. After 30 seconds, McCabe was on his way. Number 6 batsman Dave Britton has shown class this season and his half century surprised no-one.

Although wary of losing quick wickets, Britton dug in superbly as he helped the away side creep back into the match. His partner Reece also provided ample support with a quickfire 25.

But when Britton became victim number three to the reliable Sant at gully, Ilkley smelled blood. Wheeler was asked to mop up the tail and he did this impeccably with figures of 11 overs, one maiden, 5-42. Top work indeed from the all-rounder.

Nick Cockcroft easily made a catch at first slip and the innings was wrapped up when Hughes chipped to cover. Paul Dover took control and called clearly for the ball. Dover’s catch sealed the tailender’s fate.

So with eight wickets coming from catches, Ilkley could be sufficiently satisfied with their fielding display. Spivey claimed three wickets and Coldwell was very happy with his two.

Olicanians were bowled out for 163 with eight overs remaining. In many ways, Ilkley’s task of winning the match mirrored last week’s fixture at Skipton. Ilkley’s batsmen required cool heads. Chasing just over 160 in 58 overs sounds simple in theory.

The run–rate was hardly of importance – this was all about protecting your wicket.

Ilkley opener Craig Rackham tried to pull a Hughes delivery but the ball stayed low and, crucially, in line with the stumps. Ilkley were 17-1. Now was an important partnership – that between Rory Kroon and Jake Bezzant. With time very much on their side both players went about their job admirably. Choosing to play sensibly did the trick as both Kroon and Bezzant stroked the ball to all corners of the ground with elegant simplicity.

Bezzant, in particular, has hit a rich vein of form and Kroon was beginning to look more confident, too.

Before long Ilkley began to seize the initiative. Bezzant and Kroon both went on to reach half centuries, and the nearer Ilkley got to their target the more audacious they became. Kroon highlighted this with a thunderous straight swot for six off a Pearson slower ball, the ball crashing into the redundant covers.

Olicanians were quiet in the field; there was now only going to be one winner. Bezzant departed on 56, brilliantly caught by McCabe, but with Kroon nearing the 80 mark there was no pressure on new batsman Sant.

Kroon finished the game with a boundary and remained unbeaten with a season best 81 runs. This was a high quality innings from the Ilkley opener, and will serve him well for the future games.

So the game was won with well over 20 overs left. Ilkley thoroughly deserved their win, and will go into Saturday’s game against fourth-placed Hall Park brimming with self-belief.

That said, Olicanians’ remain top of the table and Hall Park are a solid outfit.

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