Goole Town CC consolidated their position at the top of Yorkshire Premier League North – Division 1 by edging past visiting Hornsea on a blustery Saturday afternoon at Westfield and in claiming their 10th outright win of the campaign, Kevin Murphy’s side have put themselves in pole position in the Championship race with only three weeks of the season remaining.

Nevertheless, Goole were again forced to do it the hard way, their underperforming top-order faltering in an apparently routine chase of 147 that was only reached thanks Ashton Nottingham’s assured hand of 40 and Richard Mann’s breezy 17 from number nine, Goole inching over the winning line by one wicket.

Despite another week of heavy rain, groundsman Steve Foster produced a fine cricket wicket, one which was consistently true and fair and encouraged a good contest between bat and ball, ultimately resulting in a tense finish to a hard-fought affair.

On winning the toss, Murphy opted to bowl first but would have been concerned when Hornsea’s opening pair of Jonathan Fisher and Paul Clappison reached 33 without loss as Aidan Coulbeck and Ben Lamb proved ineffective with the new ball.

It was Mann, finally brought into the attack having been relieved of new-ball duties, who made the breakthrough in his first over, inducing an outside edge from Clappison which was well held behind the stumps by Ben Shelton diving low to his right to allow Goole to get a foothold in the match.

Mann went on to produce his best spell of the season from the Pavilion End, extracting enough bounce and movement from the surface to put the brakes on a dangerous Hornsea top-order, while at the River Bank End, Guy Richardson produced an even more telling contribution, taking 3-25 in an another impressive display from the young all-rounder that left the visitors tottering on 56-4.

Lamb’s return to the attack saw Goole’s grip on the match tighten further as he and fellow spinner Dave England (2-23) combined to take four wickets between them but having reduced Hornsea to 101-7, the hosts allowed Sam Lakin to produce a late assault to somehow drag his side to 146 all out.

Lakin’s 29-ball 36 saw Lamb (2-42) and Murphy come in for some particularly brutal late punishment that was only ended when the latter eventually brought Mann (2-20) back into the attack, the paceman taking two balls to locate Lakin’s middle stump and wrap up the innings.

In reply, Oscar Sugden and Ben Earl both perished early as veteran seamer Richard Medforth produced a typically frugal opening spell and when Scott Thorpe and Shelton fell in quick succession, the latter having looked in good touch for his 22, Goole were rocking on 60-5.

Nottingham quickly wrestled back the initiative back for the home side, stroking six fours in his 52-ball stay, but when he fell with the score on 122-7, Goole still needed another 25 to win.

Mann capped a solid afternoon’s work when playing positively for his 17 but having taken Goole to the cusp of victory, he inexplicably chipped to deep mid-on with Goole only two short of their target, leaving England and Lamb to hold their nerve and take Goole over the winning line in the fading light.

With their destiny in their own hands, the Champagne might well be on ice at Westfield but Goole will be well aware of the tough run-in facing them, a potentially tricky trip to Bolton Percy followed by the visit of Woodhouse Grande Second XI before a potentially championship-deciding finale against Carlton Towers at The Fishpond.

Rob Holah’s outfit currently sit in second spot in the table and having thrown away a golden opportunity to gain promotion last year, will be desperate to make amends at the expense of their local rivals 12 months on.

GTCC 2nd XI

With many key players missing, the second XI’s hopes of promotion to Division 2 all but ended on Saturday at Whitkirk. Despite topping the table earlier in the season, Town are now 45 points adrift of second place with only 4 games remaining after succumbing to 14 run defeat and a third consecutive loss.

Rising star Tom Marritt was again the shining light for Goole claiming 4 wickets for 38 runs as Goole restricted the hosts to a modest 140 all out.

Goole’s run chase started well with stand in captain Anthony Gibbins and Matty Cooper sharing an opening partnership of 40 before Gibbins fell. Matty Cooper went on to top score with 44 but when he departed, so did most of Goole’s hopes of victory. Town were all out for 126 – only 15 runs short of their target.

GTCC 3rd XI (Sunday)

On Sunday Goole 3rd XI lost out by just 1 wicket in an entertaining game at Westfield vs. Gilberdyke 2nd XI.

Goole, who’s captain Eddie Hasdell represented the oldest member of the team at only 16, led his young team by example, making 38 not out at number 5. Hasdell was well supported by James Steele (20) and Olly Chappell (15), Josh Tooke (11) and Harry Falkingham (11) also made double figures as the team recorded a total of 144 all out – an improved effort following a dismal showing at Hessle the previous week.

In reply Gilberdyke reached their target of 145 in 34 overs but at the cost of 9 wickets, which led to an exciting finale. The close finish was largely due to the exceptional bowling performance of 14 year old Tom Marritt who followed up his 4 wicket haul for the 2nd team the previous day by going one better and claiming his ‘5-fer’ with incredible bowling figures of 5 wickets for 17 runs off 10 overs – which included 8 maiden overs!

James Steele (2-24), Harry Falkingham (1-30) and Eddie Hasdell (1-11) also claimed wickets but unfortunately for Town, the 10th wicket to win the game proved elusive. Earlier, Simon Oliver made 38 before Mark Eastwood ended on 44 not out and Adam Buttery 26 not out to see Gilberdyke to victory.

This Saturday, the first team travel to Bolton Percy looking for another victory in the race for promotion and the second team host Heworth. No game this weekend for the 3rd team.