PIXIES REPORT
OP SPORT
valuable runs and saw a total of 188 posted. In reply
Hastings scored well and although the Pixies fielded
well, runs continued to flow. The experience of Steve
Burdett and Hughes proved vital however and with
some smart keeping from Bayston saw Hastings fall
short by 8 runs. After the match Hastings lived up to
their reputation putting on a race night and food to
keep the tourists fed and watered.
Many thanks to Dave Watton (Former staff,
87-16) and Malcolm Mine for driving and to Paul
Lambert and Marcus Townend for giving up their
holidays to umpire and score – without their
support the tour would not happen.
The Pixies on their summer tour.
POCKLINGTON PIXIES 2017
The Pocklington Pixies 2017 season was a season of
change with Secretary, Malcolm Milne (55-62), and
President, Tim Hughes (53-62) stepping down and
Charlie Lambert (01-08) and Marcus Townend
(72-82) taking on the respective roles. Our thanks
must go to Malcolm for his incredible organisation
for many years and his continued support running
forward.
The Pixies first game was against Yorkshire Gents
and featured many of the next generation of
cricketers. With four current school pupils making
their debuts, Rory Stephenson 2-28 and George
Baty 4-26, proved useful bowlers as they restricted
the Yorkshire Gents to 178 runs in the first innings. In
reply the Pixies struggled as wickets fell regularly as
they chased their target. Henry Bayston (19) played
some lovely shots but lacked support until Tom
Sowersby (05-12) (29) and Rory (21) came to the
crease. Ultimately, the YGs were too strong for the
young Pixies team and won by 40 runs.
The 30th Worsley Cup was played at Burnby
Lane against a s trong Pocklington Town side. The
Pocklington openers made a solid start and the
score quickly moved to 135-1. Once again the Pixies
team contained some young players and Tom Kirby
picked up the key wicket of Fletcher (48) before
the father and son combination of Chris (OP, 84-
86) and Jamie Talago removed the middle order.
Jack Bolam (96-05) as usual cleaned up the tail to
leave the Pixies chasing 193 to win. The Pixies were
under the cosh early doors as Connaire Brattan
produced his best bowling for the town to decimate
the top order. Only Bolam and Lambert offered any
resistance as the town were victorious for the first
time in a few years.
August saw 20 tourists travel to Kent and Sussex. At
Holmesdale their two overseas player scored heavily
as they posted 286-4, only Adam Iyer (96-06) 3-29
bothered the Holmesdale batsmen. In reply there
were contributions from all batsmen with special
note to Chris Suddaby (02-10) (87). This allowed
youngster George Baty to see the Pixies home with
an over to spare.
Confidence from Sunday was taken into Monday’s
fixture against Eastbourne and once again Iyer
proved useful with the ball. Unfortunately, even with
people travelling from Geneva for the game, the
phrase ‘catches win matches’ was proved correct.
Dropping the key men allowed the home team
to score 252 off their 40 overs. First time tourist
Adam Sutcliffe replied well scoring 72 before he
was bowled. Other good knocks from the jetsetter
Matthew Atkinson (85-93) (30) and Bolam (28)
saw the Pixies towards their target, however they fell
20 runs short finishing on 232-9.
Tuesday saw Joel Hughes captain the side. After a
few years not touring he won the toss and elected
to bat. Of the top order only Iyer (74) made any
progress and it was left to the Dunnington pair
of Sutcliffe and Bolam to strengthen the innings
before Baty and Hughes posted a 50 run 10th
wicket partnership to ensure the Pixies finished
on 203. The early pace bowling from the Pixies was
despatched to the boundary and returns of 3-40
and 4-22 by Suddaby and Bolam respectively saw
the Pixies to a 70 run victory.
Wednesday was nostalgic as the Pixies visited the old
Marden ground for the last time as next year sees
the Kent side move to pastures new. 72 from Miles
Picknett (77-84) and 30 from Henry Bayston saw
the Pixies reach 193-6 off 40 overs. Youngsters Ed
Lambert and Jonty Goddard were unlucky not to
take wickets as they bowled a restrictive ten over
spell. The Marden batsmen scored well and needed
6 off the last over to win. Sutcliffe (4-39) held his
nerve and saw the Pocklington side to a 3 run
victory.
Thursday’s final match was rain delayed and saw the
game reduced to 25 overs a side. All Pixies scored
The final two fixtures of the year saw Marden visit
the North and the annual Men of Derwent fixture.
Both were held at Woodhouse Grange and both
were unique in their own ways. Against Marden
a hastily organised yet strong Pixies side batted
first and thanks to top knocks from Bayston (44)
Holman (38) and the evergreen Mike Newhouse
(Former staff, 83-14) (50) saw the Pixies make
211. Retirement has done Mike the world of good
and his bowling returned figures of 7-41 to earn him
a Man of the Match pint and a 55-run victory for
the hosts.
Sunday was a Pixie first seeing four of the same
family (Phil Balderson OP 82-87 and his three
sons, pictured below) appearing in a team together
for the first time. The Pixies were slightly fresher than
their opponents and used this to their full advantage
bowling well and ensuring only two MoD batsmen
reached double figures. Chasing 141 to win the
Pixies set off quickly with George Balderson hitting
79, Chris Bilton 45 and Paul Van Dijk (92-03) 20
smashing their way to a 9 wicket win.
2017 was a highly successful year and the number
of new Pixies encouraging for the years to come.
Thanks to everyone who was involved.
Charlie Lambert
pocklington
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