Clee fail – despite a meagre runs target

CLEETHORPES slumped to a two-run defeat on Saturday after dismissing visitors Harrogate for a paltry 64 runs.

No batsman on either side was able to build an innings against accurate bowling which gained assistance from what is usually a docile Chichester Road wicket.

Andy Ellis and Jack Harrison claimed a wicket apiece, with only four runs on the board, to start the Harrogate collapse.

Wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals with half the side being dismissed for a mere 25 runs.

Dan Craven and Hanif Mohammed added what proved to be an invaluable 20 runs for the sixth wicket.

Only two visiting batsmen managed to reach double figures as Ellis, with five for 28, and Alex Osmond, with three for 14, finished off the innings for a small total which had been boosted by 20 extras.

When the Meggies replied, Ishan Mutaliph could only edge behind a Sharzad Khan delivery which exploded off the wicket.

Eddie Carlton and Bill Kirby took the score to 15 before the latter, playing an authentic leg glance, was unlucky to be caught behind.

Two runs later, Carlton fell leg before to Dominic Sharp, leaving the Meggies reply in disarray at 17 for three.

The middle order rapidly fell apart with four wickets falling for just seven runs, three of them while the total remained on 39.

Khan, extracting movement and lift at a good pace, repeatedly beat the bat as the Meggies continued to struggle, with Harry Clewett becoming the eighth batsman in the match not to trouble the scorers.

James Osmond hit a rare boundary to bring up the 50 before being ninth man out, caught at short leg, in the 27th over.

The final Meggies pair, Ellis and Harrison, showing resolute defence, slowly took their side towards the target.

However, they fell a frustrating three runs short, when Mohammed bowled the defiant Ellis in the 40th over.

The disappointed Meggies will wind up their season next Saturday when York, who have successfully retained the league title, are the visitors to Chichester Road.