Neale spell sets up four-run win for Colton over Menston

Colton’s ground features a large, gently sloping oval tucked into a residential corner of east Leeds, screened from most of the city noise despite there being shops and busy roads nearby.

The clubhouse is compact, practical and features a well-stocked bar, with seats arranged in front, while the bowls green, junior football pitch and old tennis courts provide a shared community sports hub, alongside the cricket.

Cloth sight screens stand at either end, with the covers having already been pushed outside the oval near the car park…seemingly ready to be put back in place for a forecast that threatened thunder and heavy showers.

At the start, though, it felt more like a warm autumnal afternoon. Sunlight slipped through the small gaps in the cloud and the breeze ebbed across the ground from the top corner.

The light changed quickly as darker clouds gathered, threatening to end the afternoon early.

Despite any threats of a downpour, the game began a little before two o’clock with Colton winning the toss and electing to bat first.

An early leg-before decision brought the first wicket, with Maryam Mughal getting trapped off the bowling of Mia Hillyard…and it was 18 for one in the third over.

Menston kept chipping away, limiting any chance of Colton dominating, however Colton continued to find enough runs between the dismissals to keep the score steadily rising. They were 44 for two after nine overs, reaching 51 at halfway without losing another wicket.

The middle overs were to prove more testing for Colton. Two wickets fell in the 11th over and another catch in the 12th helped Menston apply considerable pressure on the home side.

Colton recovered from 57-5 to 80-5 after 15 overs. The wickets of Rosie Dwyer and Ella Johnson (off the bowling of Emily Young in the 16th over) caused a stumble, leaving Colton’s lower order to gather what it could.

By the end of the 20 overs, the hosts had reached 103-8… a reasonable total posted in their innings and one that certainly could be defended.

Sophie Byrne’s 21 off 18 deliveries was the pick of the Colton batters; with Emily Young’s two wickets for just ten runs, and Devon Byrne’s two for eight helping Menston claim wickets regularly and restrict their hosts scoring.

Then, the weather finally decided to join in!

As the fielders took to the pitch and the batters started their walk for the reply, heavy rain made an appearance, sending players racing from the field, the covers moved back to the centre to protect the pitch, and being honest…putting the restart in doubt.

Water collected on the concrete and the light became distinctly gloomy. Once the main shower passed, it seemed like everyone sprung into action.

Covers came off, sawdust was spread generously over damp run-ups and a few of the slippery footholds, then the teams returned as a less-inclement window in the weather opened up.

Menston needed 104, but Colton’s impressive bowling and fielding ensured the chase began slowly.

Colton add pressure in the field

At eight overs, the visitors had reached 27-1, leaving plenty of work to do – with a rising run rate.

Colton’s superb fielding was noticeable with throws pinged accurately over the stumps, repeatedly discouraging Menston from risking a second.

Saffron Neale then produced a spell of bowling that tilted the afternoon towards Colton. She bowled Menston’s Mia Hillyard and followed that up by trapping Anna Wane leg before.

Neale two-in-two

It put her on the threshold of a hat-trick and left Menston teetering on 33-3 after 11 overs. The hat-trick didn’t arrive, but the impact felt significant.

Menston moved to 52-3 at the end of the 13th over, as every dot ball began to feel important.

At that point, the game seemed destined to finish with a resounding Colton win, however, Menston weren’t about to give up.

Kelly Jenkins was putting in a captain’s performance as she steadily added runs to the visitor’s total. Menston were 78-4 in the 16th over, needing 26 from the final four overs. The game was tightening up.

Jenkins counters

A superb runout in the 17th over as Isobel Lawson was left stranded, brought Colton some relief, but Menston’s captain remained at the heart of the visitor’s chase, helping to keep the pressure on the home side.

With two overs left, 16 runs were required…but suddenly runs started to flow. Menston were trying to run every ball, with six runs coming from the first three deliveries.

By the final over, it was everything a close club match should be: tense, slightly untidy…but drawing in everyone who was watching.

First ball of the over and a single was run. Then Francesca Thackray thundered in and clean bowled Emily Young…a wicket taken and more importantly no runs scored.

Two more singles followed from the next three deliveries, leaving Menston on 99 and needing four off the final delivery.

Right to the end

Francesca gathered speed as she ran in, took off behind the umpire, her arm tracing a perfect arc before releasing the ball and sending it down the 22.

Amelia Jenkins swung the bat, already shuffling down the wicket…determined to get something on the ball.

The bat dropped from over her shoulder and the ball pitched down…evading the willow and clattering the stumps. A wicket taken, no runs scored and victory for the home side.

Wrapping up

Captain Kelly Jenkins’ unbeaten 45 off 58 deliveries was wonderful to watch, almost winning the game for Menston. Megan Batty added 15 runs from 12 deliveries, helping to close the gap in the final overs for the visitors.

Francesca Thackray and Saffron Neale’s bowling was simply brilliant. Two wickets apiece, with them falling at just the right time in the game to build pressure on their opponents.  

Menston may look back at those first few quiet opening overs… however, they deserve so much credit for refusing to let the game drift away, taking the chase to the final ball.

Colton could celebrate the victory earned by the whole of the team. Their 103 was defendable, but it was some superb bowling and fielding that applied just enough pressure to ultimately win them the game.

Happily, the wet weather managed to hold off just long enough and I am so glad that it did.

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Here are all of Mark’s articles and photos on Cricket Yorkshire.

To see more of his photography, you can visit caughtlight.com or he’s @caughtlight on Twitter/X. There’s also the Caught Light Photography Facebook page.

Mark’s excellent blog called Leica Moments includes observations and imagery from days out at grounds around Yorkshire.