U15s: Roses all the way for Yorkshire Under-15s

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Andy Rowsell: former Manager of Yorkshire Cricket Centre who still coaches Yorkshire Under-15s

It was a happy day for Yorkshire Under-15s coach Andy Rowsell, above, and his boys when they beat Lancashire in the 90th anniversary Roses match at Old Trafford by three wickets.

It was their opening game of the season, and began in glorious weather against the 2011 national champions. Lancashire won the toss and ran to 196-6 in their 50 overs (C Bethel 2-32) but the White Rose came in on 197-7 after 45 overs (M Fisher 60, T Booth 32).

Lancashire got off to a steady start, but it was the introduction of spinners Bethel and Hyde in mid-innings that put on the break. Hyde bowled with great control, conceding only 13 runs in his 10 overs.

There was a flurry towards the end of the innings, but it was a total Yorkshire would have taken before the game - and even more so, given the rustiness of the fielding. The ground fielding was especially poor, given the nature of the outfield on a Test match ground.

Yorkshire’s reply was brisk, with both Drury and Booth looking to get on with it, and they soon established a good understanding between the wickets. The loss of both openers and Thompson in quick succession put the visitors on the back foot, but Pratt and Lamb batted cautiously against the spinners and set a solid foundation from which all-rounder Fisher was able to take full advantage.

Fisher’s half-century and the style in which it came was the difference between the sides, and with the help of wicket-keeper Worcester saw the side to the brink of victory with a sixth-wicket stand of 82. Fisher’s dismissal with four runs needed and a subsequent lapse of concentration which led to a needless run-out gave the margin of victory an air of respectability.