Goole 2's and Selby 1st XI met on Saturday in Division 2 and stakes were high for both teams as they are both close enough to be candidates for relegation into Division 3 and need to pick up points at this vital point of the season.

Winning the toss, Goole asked Selby to bat first, which on paper looked to be a good decision as the clouds were overhead and the wicket looked like it had a little moisture available for the bowlers to work with after rain had fallen overnight. Selby soon put that theory to bed as Hoyle and Bowdon got Selby off to a good start with a 53 run partnership for the first wicket. Sam Earl struck to remove Bowdon for 19, caught behind by Eastwood and then did the same two overs later as he trapped Leung LBW for 3. Another 50 run partnership between Wild and Hoyle took Selby past the 100 mark and Hoyle past 50 inside 24 overs and although Goole bowled well to take 3 further wickets by the 30th over to leave Selby on 137-5, Selby with Hoyle on 60 not out still looked capable of a 200+ total. Robinson joined Hoyle and they both set about attacking the Goole bowlers and 74 runs came from the next 12 overs. Hoyle progressed to his 3rd century of the season from 110 balls and his 577 runs for the year has been essential to Selby's hopes of avoiding the drop. Jason Greaves removed Hoyle for an eventual 106 as he was caught by Harvey Thomas at mid-wicket but the damage had been done and Selby had a good total to work with. Robinson (39 not out) pushed Selby on to 232 from 45 overs with Hunter who hit 14 from 11 balls and Selby finished their innings on a high and confident of taking the points for the day.

In reply Goole got off to an identical start as Selby had done previously with 53 being scored for the first wicket. Declan Eastwood was going well on 16 but a good delivery from Hunter presented a catch for Guy and Eastwood was dismissed in the 8th over. The next ball brought about the dismissal of Neil Webster as he was LBW to Hunter for nought and Goole were on the back foot. This LBW was the 4th of an eventual 8 in the match by the way of LBW meaning a busy day for the umpires Gibbins and Gouldsbrough. Anthony Gibbins pushed on past 50 but with Andy Rodgers being dismissed in the 19th over for 8 and Goole being three down for 89 runs Selby were looking favourites to take the win. Hasdell and Gibbins took Goole to 125 before Hasdell was bowled for 15 and with Jason Greaves falling before the score reached 130, Goole needed 101 runs from 14 overs for the win and Gibbins needed a partner to stay with him as he pushed towards his century. Harry Haines was the man to fill this role as 50 was posted for the 6th wicket with Haines 25 not out. Gibbins went to 100 with a single and the score on 177-5 but his innings didn't continue any longer as he too was given LBW from the bowling of Robinson for exactly 100. At 177-6 Goole's chances of the win were just about over and bonus points were the target for the day. Romans removed Thomas for 2 and Haines for 33 to leave Goole precariously on 193-8 with 11 balls remaining and it was left to Sam Earl and Louis Greaves to negotiate the final deliveries and get Goole to 200+ for the final bonus points. Greaves ended with 3 fours to get Goole past their target of 200 and it was left to Sam Earl to see them home with some stout defence as they finished the innings on 207-8.

Selby took 27 points and Goole 13, which stretches both teams advantage over Scarborough in the last relegation place in Division 2. Both teams had their openers to thank for two fantastic innings that will live long in the minds of the players and supporters that witnessed the match and both batsmen should be proud of the part they played in the game. Goole play Scarborough at Westfield on Saturday in a crunch match, which could make or break their season for 2018 as they try to get themselves further away from the drop zone in Division Two. Eleven points is a slender advantage for Goole and 30 points is a must for the 2's in this crucial match.