Two wickets and a run-out by Yorkshire Academy coach and captain John Blain, pictured, were not enough to stop Sheffield United in the Solly Sports ECB Yorkshire County Premier League.

United captain Paul Cummins won the toss and asked the Academy to bat…but they did not bowl them out, so although United knocked off the runs with five wickets to spare it was an incomplete win. The wicket gave immediate help to Sheffield left-armer Zafran Ali – who had Alex Lees and James McNichol both caught at second slip by Australian overseas player Nick Beneke. 16-2 became 28-3 when Cummins clean bowled George Ross.

Jack Leaning was caught and bowled by Cummins, and wicket-keeper Eddie Wilson was off spinner Ali Janhangir’s victim. Half the side out for 62, and a stand was needed.

Jonathan Tattersall stood firm and a patient partnership with Will Rhodes saw 59 - perhaps the best innings either have played this season. With 10 overs left Tattersall tried to accelerate and became the third scalp for Cummins – who had opened the attack and completed 27 overs for a miserly 48 runs.

Reece Shutt’s medium pace was introduced late in the innings, and he clean bowled Will Rhodes. United made full use of the bowler friendly wicket, and the Academy toiled to reach 156-8 in their 55 overs.

Cummins came straight out after tea as opener with Beneke, but Blain had Beneke lbw in the third over of the innings. Cummins and Derbyshire’s Ben Percival then added 83 before Blain ran out Percival. Quadroos and Cummins enjoyed a stand of 40 until Blain had Quadroos caught behind, and then Shutt and Cummins took Sheffield to within two of the target.

Cummins, 67 not out, walked off having been on the field throughout the match – a fine all-round performance and a fine display of leadership. Not quite a one-man band, but nearly so.

Six valuable points to Sheffield. The Academy must hope for better things today when they take on Hull in Round 2 of the League Cup.

Words and Statistics: HAROLD GALLEY