Aggressive Harrogate make telling statement in win over Scarborough

’Gate’s bowling unit were on song after being asked to bowl first and limited the Seasiders’ to just 189/7 from the opening 50 overs.

Set a revised Duckworth Lewis total of 183 for victory, Harrogate made it with ease as former Yorkshire batsman Jonny Tattersall scored a second consecutive unbeaten half century.

Ross said: “We were professional in our performance and ultimately quite ruthless in the way we chased down the total.

“Our approach to batting was just superior to theirs. They came out and tried to stick it out against quality bowling. I wanted our boys to play their natural game and play aggressively.

“If you go out and play aggressively, you get the luck to come with it. That showed and we dominated on a pitch that wasn’t a traditional Harrogate road.”

Having lost the toss and been asked to have a bowl, the ’Gate seamers produced an economical opening burst as the Seasiders opted to dig in with rain clouds circling above.

Ben Coad was first to strike as he claimed a return catch to oust Oliver Stephenson before left-arm spinner David Foster removed Mark Tennant and Darren Harland in the space of seven runs.

Scarborough got their score moving with James Pick scoring 60. But Cameron O’Donnell’s reintroduction blunted the progress with figures of 3-37 as Scarborough ended on 189.

Despite losing Kiwi Dion Sanson for four early on, the Harrogate top order were able to score quickly and reached the total inside 31 overs.

As well as Tattersall’s unbeaten 52, Matthew Good (37), George Ross (40) and Foster (31no) all scored at more than a run a ball.

Ross praised his bowling attack, which was missing regular seamer Tom Geeson-Brown and new signing Harry Stow, for limiting the former Yorkshire League side.

The skipper said: “Ben Coad and Cameron O’Donnell were excellent with the new ball and the economy was very good after the first 20 overs and that led to the first few wickets.

“We stuck at it really well to restrict them.

“We comfortably beat them in the game of cricket and knocked it over with 18 overs off. It was a statement of intent. There are still some minor areas where we can improve on but we have started the season well.”

Harrogate will face their biggest examination of the season so far as another east coast side, Driffield, arrive at St George’s Road this Saturday.

And 24 hours later, Ross will lead his men out on home turf again as South Yorkshire side Elsecar come to town to play an ECB Knockout Cup second round clash.

Geeson-Brown and Stow are available to face Driffield, which could see O’Donnell and paceman Ashley Griffin drop down into the seconds.

Ross added: “Driffield are a proven Yorkshire League team that always give us a good game. If we stick to our disciplines and our routines, hopefully we will be able to grind out the win again.”