Harrogate CC gear up for Yorkshire League T20 Blast finals day

‘Gate take on Woodhouse Grange in the afternoon fixture at Scarborough’s North Marine Road with the winner advancing into the evening showpiece.

The finals day begins with Yorkshire Academy taking on Driffield Town in the other semi-final.

‘Gate captain Ross has targeted victory in the T20 competition for his squad this season and believes the shortest format suits his side’s playing style.

Harrogate will head over to Scarborough in prime form having beaten early Yorkshire League North frontrunners Sheriff Hutton Bridge by three wickets on Saturday to strengthen their own title claims.

Left-arm spinner David Foster produced a fine bowling spell to turn the game in Harrogate’s favour before striking an unbeaten 44 to wrap up the win.

With maximum points under their belt, Harrogate climbed above their opponents into second place as Yorkshire Academy moved into pole position by two points.

Sheriff Hutton won the York and District Senior League last season and had not been beaten prior to Harrogate’s visit.

But they were put on the back foot having been asked to bat first.

Tom Geeson-Brown had Louis Foxton caught behind on 12 before Jonathan Tattersall produced a smart piece of fielding to run Sam Anthony out with the score on 50.

The score had moved on to 84-4 before the introduction of vice captain Foster put Harrogate, who were without the services of Yorkshire bowler Ben Coad following his T20 exploits, firmly in control with figures of 5-29.

Harrogate’s reply got off to a bad start when Matthew Good saw his stumps uprooted for a duck but Jonathan Tattersall (44) and New Zealander Dion Sanson (33) steadied the ship.

Foster and Ross then added 60 before there was a late twist in the tail as ‘Gate lost four wickets in the space of 18 runs.

However, the streak of wickets came too late for the hosts as Foster hit the winning runs to end unbeaten on 44.