Castleford CC bounce back with cup tie success after league setback
Castleford CC advanced in the Heavy Woollen Cup, but suffered a setback to their title hopes in the Yorkshire Premier League North with defeat in a close contest a day earlier.
Sunday brought a 32-run success against Woodhouse Grange in the first round cup tie when half centuries from Scott Hopkinson and Hayden Walsh played a big part.
However, there was disappointment with an eight-run loss to title rivals Sheriff Hutton Bridge on Saturday.
Cas elected to bat first in Sunday’s match and made the most of the opportunity as Luke Edwards (23) and Ryan Pearson (26) gave them a solid base then skipper Hopkinson and Walsh came together for a century stand for the fourth wicket.
Hopkinson hit an unbeaten 89 from 73 balls, including seven fours and a six, while Walsh made 52. Nash Charles (38no) then joined his captain for another 73-run partnership and they went on to reach 248-4 by the end of their 50 overs.
Woodhouse Grange initially threatened to chase the target down as opener Chris Bilton hit 82 and they reached 128-2 after 17 overs.
Cas hit back, but at 182-4 in the 30th over the visitors were still on course. However, from this point wickets became an issue for Grange as they lost their last six for 34 runs to be 216 all out.
Spinners did the damage with Walsh taking 3-36 and David Wainwright 3-39.
Castleford’s league game against second-placed Sheriff Hutton Bridge saw them do a solid job in the field as they restricted their opponents to 170-9.
This score did represent a significant recovery, though, after they were reduced to 72-7. Matt Rees, Joshua Wood and Ed Morrison took two wickets each.
Cas made a decent start to their reply in reaching 97-2 with Edwards hitting 32 and Pearson 24, but their middle order fell away and although Wainwright battled to make 22 they fell an agonising eight runs short when all out for 162.
Despite the loss Castleford remain top of the YPLN, but have seen their advantage cut to two points.