York and District League

LEAGUE Cup winners Dunnington had a convincing victory over champions Easingwold in the President's Challenge Trophy winning by nine wickets.

But the success of Simon Kellett and Collis King denied the crowd the opportunity of King being joined at the crease by his former West Indian colleague Alvin Kallicharran.

The game, which should have been a finale to last season but was postponed because of the fuel shortage, was the first game under new sponsors Hunters Estate Agent and provided an excellent curtain-raiser for the new season.

Easingwold were captained by Jonathan Marwood in the absence of regular skipper Martin Robinson who is recovering from a skiing injury and also lacked the services of Tom Darnell who has left the area.

Australian Matthew Schenke has been replaced by Damon Smith while other new recruits in the home line-up were Oliver Metcalfe from Duncombe Park and young opening bowler James Pringle who has moved from York.

Dunnington have made a number of high profile signings and Simon Kellett's side gave first games to Collis King who has joined the club after five record-breaking seasons at Stillington, opener Hamed Khan who had a high-scoring season for Leeds Police in the Leeds League last season. Also playing their first game were former Methley all-rounder John McHale and paceman Adam Holroyd from Leeds-based Caribbean CC.

Batting first, Easingwold had Marwood bowled for ten by Steve Precious but then posted a 90 run second wicket as Damon Smith continued the form which had seen make unbeaten 99 in friendly at Sheriff Hutton Bridge on the previous day. Opener Martin Piercy matched the Aussie run for run but both fell for 52 to Simon Kellett who also had Metcalfe stumped by Paul Miles on his way to a return of three for 14. Easingwold were able to reach 144 for four in their 40 overs.

Dunnington made an identical start as they lost their first wicket when Hamid Khan fell to Alan Robinson for 14 .

But this proved to be the only Easingwold success as Kellett and King ignored the Arctic-like conditions to produce a fine display of attacking strokes and clinched a nine wicket victory with over ten overs to spare. Kellett completed a personally satisfying day with 68 not out while King made an unbeaten 60.

Easingwold: M Piercy c McHale b Kellett 52, J Marwood b Precious 10, D Smith b Kellett 52, P Skilbeck not out 3, O Metcalfe st Miles b Kellett 4, D Copeland not out 6, Extras 17, Total 144-4. Bowling: J Grant 6-4-11-0, D Kitching 6-1-18-0, J McHale 8-2-17-0, S Precious 6-0-25-1, C King 8-0-32-9, S Kellett 6-0-14-3.

Dunnington: S Kellett not out 68, M Khan c Redshaw b A Robinson 14, C King not out 60, Extras 6, Total 148-1. Bowling: D Copeland 7-3-15-0, J Pringle 5-0-27-0, A Robinson 5-0-21-0, P Redshaw 4-0-23-0, T Langstaff 4-0-31-0, D Smith 4-2-27-0.

Result: Dunnington won by nine wickets