vs Sheriff Hutton Bridge 3rd XI

There was a last day of term feel about the final game of the season with Bishopthorpe now mathematically safe from the threat of relegation that has been hanging over them for most of the season. There was still plenty at stake for visitors Sheriff Hutton Bridge, who were very much in with a chance of promotion.

They knew that victory at Ferry Lane would clinch a place in Division 2, providing if Stillington dropped points against bottom side Knaresborough. As it turned out, that game ended in a tie, but Sheriff Hutton Bridge were no match for an in-form Bishopthorpe side who were intent on avenging the 194 run defeat earlier in the season and finishing the season on a high.

On a distinctly autumnal afternoon SHB won the toss and invited Bishopthorpe to bat first on a pitch still damp from overnight rain. Shortly after drinks at the halfway point Tom Schofield was dismissed for 36 and the innings was finely balanced with home side were 93-4. That brought Sam Davies together with Chris Norton, and what followed was quite remarkable. After being dropped whilst on 13, Davies took the attack to the SHB bowlers, smashing 11 sixes and 9 fours on his way to a score of 127 from just 55 balls. 104 of his runs came off his last 30 balls and the score is the fifth highest by a Bishopthorpe batsman on record. Harry and Archie Goodwill were the unfortunate bowlers who bore the brunt of the onslaught, their combined four overs going for 73 runs. Davies shared a record partnership for any wicket of 173 runs with Chris Norton who added valuable support and finished 60 not out as the home side powered to a total of 289-7 from their 40 overs.

Needing to score at well in excess of 7 an over, SHB were pegged back by John Latimer who picked up the wickets of both openers and Jamie Blackburn who bowled his 10 overs for just 25 runs. Leading wicket taker Brandon Clapham then picked up 3-24 and Sridar Seshan helped himself to a couple of scalps to seal an emphatic 137 run victory.

The win saw Bishopthorpe leapfrog Woodhouse Grange and finish in 8th place in the league, winning 8 out of their final 11 games of the season after picking up just one win in their first 11. In a season dominated by a battle to stay up, the strong finish left them just 26 points off the promotion places, and 35 points clear of the drop zone.

So that's it for another year. Bishopthorpe look forward to their awards evening in October where they will recognise some of the fine performances over the summer, and will head to winter nets in January to prepare to do it all over again in 2026.