Scarborough Fair Roller Coaster Ride Ends With Big Dipper

Barmy Kev reports on day 4 from Scarborough . Oh dear.

As leaving for ground checked out of hotel it is hot forecast mid 70s. Don't forget I arrived in Scarborough from heavy drizzle in London , cooler weather here which necessitated a coat and jumper. These not needed today but no room in my luggage for them. As I walk to ground thinking Andrew Gale has his own dilemma re declaration. The locals have memories of giving Durham a large gettable target last year which they achieved. Also back of minds Lord's this year. This is becoming a docile pitch. Yesterday we hardly beat the bat or found edge. So maybe a few more overs before declaration? Gale has opted for declaration. 422 needed off 96 overs. Run rate required 4.395833 approximately or shall we just bat out the day?

As Gubbins and Bucko came out to bat Beefy shouted you both don't want a pair . Hobo replied I do as he opened a can of pear cider. You have to take your chances and two excellent slip catches for Gubbins debate whether carried and for AC second attempt as it looked like it cleared slip. We bat safely to lunch 89 2. 65 overs for our 8 wickets to survive from now on forgetting about runs.

Soon after lunch another sensational slip catch Lyth for crucial wicket of Buck. Stirlo out 1st ball. Simmo hat trick ball with all fielders close in edges between 4th slip and gulley. There was a difficult chanced missed at short leg Bairstow consoling fielder he knows how he feels. Simmo nearly runs himself just before he and Moggy takes us to tea. 33 overs left for 6 wickets to survive with a new ball due soon.

At tea I was telling Yorkie fan with us 1 leads to 6. After tea as thinking Moggy as England captain he nicks one behind . His contribution time wise valuable and maybe noted elsewhere. We are down to tail with 30 overs left. As I say is there any point in Simmo taking a single Ollie decided to attack aagh out with 26 overs left. Brooks return leads to TRJ wicket. Simmo nicks single puts Helm on strike you guessed it. Simmo out soon a matter of time it's all over. It's funny how the perfect batting wicket of yesterday changed overnight?

A well deserved win for Yorkshire. A 5,week LVCC break ahead and will be looking over our shoulders to end of season

On a personal matter, putting cricket to one side it was an enjoyable 4 days. The crowds were around 3-4000 each day with a fair spluttering of Middlesex fans. The Yorkshire fans were welcoming , hospitable and at times very funny. Now we can't win league I hope Yorkshire do.