ESSEX edged out their Yorkshire counterparts in a 40-over match that saw both sides utilise their respective squads ahead of the league season reports the Yellow Advertiser.

Yorkshire arrived at Harlow Town Cricket Club with valuable match practice already under their belt following a warm-up game with Middlesex twenty-four hours earlier. That was highlighted as the Tykes attack made swift inroads to leave Essex floundering on 38/5.

Alexander Welby rescued the situation for the hosts with a stylish knock of 74 which came off 94 balls, including nine 4s and two 6s. Ben Aust chipped in with 21 and Lee Wheeler 20, as Essex recovered to post 179/12. Edward Denton, Alex Jervis and Luke Riley were the pick of the impressive Yorkshire bowlers with two wickets apiece.

The game was played competitively and in a tremendous spirit. Riley then caught the eye with the bat, scoring 53 off 42 as Yorkshire ran the home side close. However, Ronnie Jackson, Matt Thomas, Andrew Mowatt and Alfie Jeeves each claimed a brace of wickets to see Essex home by the narrowest of margins.

Essex County Cricket Abilities: Ronnie Jackson (Capt), Alex Welby, Asif Patel, Andrew Mowatt, Alfie Jeeves, Rhys Turnbull, Isaac Elles, Ben Aust, Andy Catherell (WK), Dan Thomas, Lee Wheeler, Matt Thomas, Martin Doe, Billy Gibbons, Benny Fryatt, Dom Elliott, Jack Flowers

Yorkshire County Cricket Abilities: James O’Connor (Capt), Alex Jervis, Cameron Cooper, Edward Denton, Archie Aitkins-Sloan (WK), Joe Raw, John Kenwood-Nash, Jacob Grimes, Cameron Groves, Jamie Dillon, Owen Morris, Jake Shepherdson, Luke Riley

Umpires: Angela Tuff and Kevin Ling
Scorers: Andrew Thurogood and Owen Jervis