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Super Saturday: Rio 2016 day eight highlights


Watch our round-up from day eight at Rio 2016.


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The Briefing Key betting news going and non runners


The Briefing: Key betting news, going and non runners.


Lightning Spear and Oisin Murphy surge clear in the Celebration Mile PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
Lightning Spear flashes home in Celebration Mile
Report: Goodwood, Saturday
Doom Bar Celebration Mile (Group 2) 1m, 3yo+
LIGHTNING SPEAR took advantage of a drop in grade to gain a first win of the season, coming from last to first to score for David Simcock and Oisin Murphy.
The five-year-old had contested Group 1s on his last four starts, with his standout run coming at Royal Ascot when third in the Queen Anne Stakes to Tepin. Down in class he ran out a ready winner, as favourite Thikriyaat never looked comfortable finishing last of the five runners.
RELATED LINKS Race result
Each of the runners holds an entry for the Qipco-backed Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Champions Day at Ascot, and Lightning Spear enhanced his chances with a length-and-three-quarters victory.
The winner was cut to 10-1 (from 16) for the Group 1 by Paddy Power, and Simcock indicated that is the plan.
He said: "That's a massively relief, honestly. We've always thought the world of him and he was brilliantly nurtured by Olly Stevens. We've just picked up the pieces. We were so pleased with his first start in the Queen Anne and watching his last two races you wouldn't believe it and you feel sorry for the horse as he's very, very good.
"I'm not one to hype horses and I think he's really talented. He's got a really good turn of foot. Everything is aimed towards Ascot now and we'll have a really good go at the QEII."
How the race unfolded
Arod, who also ran in the colours of winning owners Qatar Racing, cut out a decent pace with Zonderland for company, while Paul Hanagan had Thikriyaat at the rear of the field with Lightning Spear.
However, the signs were ominous for favourite backers a long way out, with Hanagan urging Thikriyaat to get competitive, something he was unable to do. He was found to have a fibrillating heart in a post-race examination.
Meanwhile at the front, Arod continued to hang tough but was gradually being worn down by Zonderland. But no sooner had Clive Cox's runner got to the lead, he was gathered up by Murphy who was charging down the centre of the track.
The winning jockey added: "They can be trappy races those small-field races. All credit has to go to David because I thought we might bypass this race and go for something else. But Jenny, his wife, rides him everyday and was keen to run so it's down to them. I'm 20 years of age and I'm very fortunate to be riding horses like this."

Goodwood Lightning Spear strikes in Celebration Mile


LIGHTNING SPEAR took advantage of a drop in grade to gain a first win of the season, coming from last to first to score for David Simcock and Oisin Murphy.


Merger costs push Paddy Power Betfair to loss


The costs of their merger may have resulted in Paddy Power Betfair making a loss in the first half of the year but many observers were impressed by their first interim results since the two companies tied the knot.


Sir Mark Prescott: may or may not be a fan of Wagon Wheels PICTURE: Getty Images
Ashforth's Angles: If
only it was this easy
SIR MARK PRESCOTT has made it easy for us with St Michel (Goodwood 4.10).
There's no need to get bogged down in analysis - an improving three-year-old stepping up in class, up another 7lb to 93, blah-di-blah-di-blah. All we need to know is in the form figures - 212121. It's obvious, isn't it? St Michel's going to finish second. Next time he'll finish first.
Before you realise that a 0 can represent a better performance than a 1, when life suddenly becomes more complicated, figures can be enticing. Who can resist the persuasive appeal of 0432? It's got to be a 1 next, hasn't it, or what was the point of all those maths lessons at school?
To save you work, I've already looked at Tuesday's 33 races and there aren't any 0432s. On the other hand, in a maiden race at Goodwood (2.25) Heartstone brings form figures of 3322. Michael Murphy has probably already asked trainer Charles Hills if he can ride the filly again next time because she's obviously going to win at Goodwood and then win again.
The system has the virtue of simplicity but isn't flawless. For instance, Giovanni Di Bicci (Epsom 3.45) has form figures of 111132. He was favourite when finishing third and it was a bitter blow to those who believed, understandably, that the answer to the question, what comes after 1111? is 1. It should be 1, it ought to be 1, if there weren't handicappers in the world it probably would be 1 but it isn't always 1.
In fact, the more 1s there are the less likely it is that the next figure will be a 1. This is because handicappers believe that it is their responsibility to interfere with the natural order of things, mainly by making jockeys fatter. The better a horse does, the fatter its jockey has to be. Eventually the jockey weighs so much that the next figure can't possibly be a 1.
So there's no guarantee that The Wagon Wheel (Goodwood 3.35) will convert her form figures of 11 into 111. On the other hand, Richard Fahey's filly does bring back happy memories of biscuits gone by.
Wagon Wheels still exist, complete with their marshmallow centres but somehow they're not the same. Like crisps without those blue paper twists of salt and the late lamented Spangles, Wagon Wheels seem to be from a past golden age of Barratt's sherbet fountains and packets of sweet cigarettes with pictures of footballers in them.
The Wagon Wheel has probably been running fast because she's frightened of getting eaten, a bit like Hard Toffee (Goodwood 5.20) and Toffee Apple (Hamilton 3.25).
Speaking of Hamilton, if Ninetta turns out again (4.00), can she please either win, be retired on humanitarian grounds (for the good of humans, not her) or be tried over further again, even though it didn't work before?
I liked her as a two-year-old and thought she'd work her way up the handicap this year, not down.
Nothing's straightforward, is it?

Ashforth's Angles If only it was this easy to find winners


SIR MARK PRESCOTT has made it easy for us with St Michel. All we need to know is in the form figures 212121. It's obvious, isn't it St Michel's going to finish second. Next time he'll finish first.


Bryan Smart bought Alicante Dawn for 5,000gns as a yearling PICTURE: Martin Lynch (racingpost.com/photos)
Alicante Dawn to be given crack at Mill Reef
Report: Ripon, Monday
Longines Irish Champions Weekend EBF Ripon Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy, (Listed), 6f, 2yo colts and fillies
THE remarkable rise of Alicante Dawn continued on Monday when he charged away from his rivals to land the Ripon Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy for trainer Bryan Smart and jockey Connor Beasley.
The 5,000gns yearling purchase is now set to encounter new heights when he takes on the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury next month.
Smart has trained some smart sprinters in his time, including the rapid Tangerine Trees, who landed the Group 1 Prix de L'Abbaye in 2011, and Monsieur Bond, who won the Group 2 Duke of York Stakes in 2004. However he was struck by the way Alicante Dawn soared away with the Listed prize.
"I couldn't believe how easy he was going," said Smart, who also owns the winner. "We didn't think he'd go on and when he did I wondered what Connor was doing, but he's won really easy and he's only had to hit him to try and keep him straight; he was dossing.
"We'll go for the Mill Reef now. He only cost us 5,000 gns, he owes us absolutely nothing."
It also marked a second high-profile success at Ripon this season for Beasley, who continues his incredible comeback from a horrific injury sustained at Wolverhampton in July last year which left him with a fractured skull and the loss of half an ear.
Beasley landed the Great St Wilfrid on Nameitwhatyoulike for Smart at the course earlier this month, and also teamed up with the trainer to win the Listed Beverley Bullet at the weekend on Alpha Delphini.


THE remarkable rise of Alicante Dawn continued on Monday when he charged away from his rivals to land the Ripon Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy for trainer Bryan Smart and jockey Connor Beasley.


Alicante Dawn to be given crack at Mill Reef


American rapper RZA elegantly sums up the fleeting nature of fame during his cameo appearance in Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone’s musical mockumentary.
“The higher you get, the harder you fall. Ask any coconut,” sermonizes the hip-hop superstar.
These words of wisdom are aimed at sweet, yet corruptible, Conner Friel (Andy Samberg), who sells out his childhood pals to land a solo record deal and secure his moment in the social media spotlight.
Part cautionary tale, part buddy comedy, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping gleefully lampoons music documentaries, including Justin Bieber: Never Say Never, by offering a fly-on-the-wall glimpse into the life of an icon as he prepares to launch his second album.
Schaffer and Taccone festoon their tongue-in-cheek expose with real-life music industry figures, plus colourful supporting performances including Justin Timberlake as a singing chef, who juliennes carrots with pride.
Thus Simon Cowell offers his glowing assessment of Conner - “I think he’s incredible. He’s the real deal!” - and the likes of Mariah Carey, Usher, Carrie Underwood and 50 Cent wax lyrical about his impact on their careers.
Andy Samberg as Conner4Real
For the first 40 minutes, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping is hysterical, but then like the preened and polished subject, the film loses its way.
Conner and childhood buddies Lawrence Dunn (Schaffer) and Owen Bouchard (Taccone) achieved considerable success as the trio The Style Boyz.
However, it was clear to everyone in the cutthroat music business that Conner was the glittering star in the firmament.
He went solo and The Style Boyz disbanded.
Lawrence turned his back on celebrity to settle on a farm in Big Timber, Colorado, while Owen remained in the background as Conner’s DJ.
Following the rousing success of Conner’s debut LP entitled Thriller, Also, a documentary film crew shadows the pop icon in the days leading up to the release of the follow-up album, ConnQuest.
Flanked by an entourage including his manager Harry Duggins (Tim Meadows), acid-tongued publicist Paula Klein (Sarah Silverman) and “a guy who kicks him in the nuts so he remembers where he came from”, Conner feebly shoulders the mounting pressure flanked by actress girlfriend, Ashley Wednesday (Imogen Poots).
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping is half of one of the best comedies of the year.
Opening scenes are a hoot.
“It’s like a tricycle. When you take away one of the wheels, what have you got?” scoffs Lawrence when someone suggests The Style Boyz could fracture.
Note-perfect music videos include Equal Rights featuring P!nk, which promotes same sex relationships, while Conner punctuates each line of the chorus with a defiant, “I’m not gay”.
Sadly, the filmmakers run out of ideas for a lacklustre second half and introduce outlandish new characters to sustain our interest.
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American rapper RZA elegantly sums up the fleeting nature of fame during his cameo appearance in Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone’s musical mockumentary.


Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping - Half of one of the best comedies of the year


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Ramsey’s Civic Sunday service will take place on Sunday. September 11.


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A reunion of former pupils from Douglas High School for Girls (Park Road School) who were at the school in 1960 is to be held in October.


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Chemist rota for the quarter commencing July 1, 2016


Italian restaurant owner Attraversiamo Ltd is seeking permission to change the use of 66 Parliament Street (currently occupied by Shakti Mann) from retail to wine/tapas bar.


Ramsey resident Cal Crutchlow won today’s Czech Grand Prix at Brno.


A driver vented his frustration with TT traffic by accelerating up to Douglas Road Corner in Kirk Michael at double the speed limit, a court was told.


It is never a good start for any performance when ‘technical difficulties’ delay the start, particularly for half an hour in a particularly humid, packed theatre on an August Bank holiday Monday night.
And it was clear when curtains finally came up just after 8pm, that the enforced delays had left several of the cast as well the audience a tad discombobulated.
Sister Act. Directed and Choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood
Nerves were apparent in the opening scenes but as the the cast got into their stride the audience went along for the ride, making for a memorable performance by a truly talented cast.
Alexandra Burke of X Factor fame was perfectly cast as the outrageous singer on the run Deloris van Cartier, making the role made famous by Whoopi Goldberg her own, and once again proving she has the vocal chops to shine on stage following her extremely successful run in the Bodyguard.
There is no doubt that she and the other nuns are the stars of this piece, juggling Craig Revel-Horwood’s (of Strictly fame’s) witty choreography, with some roof-raising and memorable numbers.
Sarah Goggin’s performance as Sister Mary Robert constantly drew the eye and raised the roof with her remarkable voice..
Sister Act. Directed and Choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood
But set pieces and solos by the male cast members, gave the production a depth and context that set up the exhilarating ensemble numbers.
Under Revel-Horwood’s direction, the comic acting and singing by Aaron Lee Lambert, Ricky Rojas, Sandy Grigelis, Jon Robyns andSamuel Morgan-Grahame has the audience sniggering and laughing out loud.
All the music was produced live by the cast and small band, meaning some characters were singing, dancing, acting and playing a variety of wind and string instruments. There was so much going on it was difficult to know where to look on stage ( in a good way).
If I was being super critical I would say this approach left a slight disconnect between some of the scenes, possibly due to the multi-role playing and hard-working cast being tasked with moving scenery and performing simultaneously.
But like all good productions the niggles seem to melt away as the performance progressed.
The audience were on their feet for a well-deserved standing ovation at the end as the production ended on an extremely enjoyable high note.
Sister Act is on at Manchester Palace Theatre until September 3.

REVIEW: Sister Act at Manchester Palace Theatre


It is never a good start for any performance when ‘technical difficulties’ delay the start, particularly for half an hour in a particularly humid, packed theatre on an August Bank holiday Monday night.


Peveril Motor Cycle Club is hosting a motocross at Knock Froy, Santon this evening, Tuesday, starting at 6pm.


More than £5,000 was raised at Hospice Isle of Man’s urban water slide in Peel last Sunday.


A bright spot in a backyard tree caught my eye. A cardinal? No. A red sassafras leaf.
Fall is coming.
Earlier, I feared what summer might bring. As its end approaches, a fresh attitude is unfolding, like a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis.
Jim and other Master Gardeners have a monarch exhibit at this week’s Indiana County Fair, explaining the wonders of these fragile creatures and what we can do to help them survive.
They’re disappearing; I have yet to spot one in 2016.
Luckily, I’ve seen their tiny solitary eggs on the bottom side of milkweed leaves, so there could be monarchs in our future. The white eggs are so small Jim uses a hand-held microscope to view their delicate pattern.
Monarchs, like hope, seem to have impossible beginnings yet evolve into something that inspire us to look up.
Small encounters with the natural world are a metaphor for “the butterfly effect.” This is the notion that minute influences — like a butterfly beating its wings — may impact climatic conditions a world away.
Whether this actually happens or not, some of nature’s smallest gifts have enriched this summer of my retreat. One of them, blue chicory, edges country roads like little welcome signs.
Birds are gifts with wings. Walking our goldendoodle in the early-morning shade, I saw a goldfinch perched on a coneflower wavering in the cool breeze. It meant purple bull thistles have gone to seed and been transformed into goldfinch feeders.
Sure enough, a prickly thistle is bowed over out back, heavy with the burden of its abundance.
It makes me want to bow as well before the Creator of these common splendors. St. Anthony of the desert lacked worldly comforts like books but said, “my book is the nature of created things and whenever I want to read the word of God, it is usually right in front of me.”
His heart wasn’t always seeking more stuff, more adventures, more flavors. These don’t satisfy or settle my heart when worries threaten, either. Like St. Anthony, on a mini-scale, I find retreating from the world a bit refocuses and refuels me.
Retreat is in the family of words that begin with “re,” like renew, restore, replenish, repent. Many seem related in some way to turning back or going home, like a prodigal.
A retreat to me means slowing down, sometimes to a standstill. It has less to do with singing “Kumbaya” and more with quieting the pace of my noisy busyness.
A friend asked me if I’m always on the go. Pretty much. I need retreats this summer not because of breast cancer, but because I have a hurried heart.
My thesaurus puts “hurry” in the same category as “busy.” Dash. Haste. Push. Rush. I’ve spent most of my years careening through this list.
The opposite? Calm. Quiet. Rest. Wait. All hard, for this “Type-A” girl.
A retreat can be a state of mind and spirit. Interior retreats, even brief ones, slip me off of the first list and onto the second. It’s like going from a raging creek to smooth waters in a kayak.
Our front porch — which is really a breezeway — is my personal sanctuary. I’m usually alone here, but sometimes a friend joins me. We listen to Carolina wrens and a Japanese waterfall hidden in the carved out section of a towering blue spruce.
For decades that tree has sheltered our breezeway from wind and storm. Now I feel sheltered from the emotional storms many people with serious conditions suffer.
Me: “My energy’s been at zero right now so I’m learning how to do nothing and do it well.”
Girlfriend: “My neighbor and I used to discuss whether we accomplished anything today. We talked about how we humans think we have to be busy all the time, but God is pleased when we can just ‘be’ before Him. Enjoy the ‘being process.’”
Me: “Yes, I’ve talked about just ‘being’ before, but now I’m learning to walk the talk.”
I hear both sadness and promise in the voice of One who urges, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength. But you were unwilling” (Isa. 30:15, NASB).
Forgive us, Lord.
Slowing down in our culture isn’t easy. As autumn draws near, the pace only quickens for most people. Finding balance begins with making space for quiet reflection.
I’m grateful I’m at a point in life when I can focus on the wonder of a single leaf. And I’m still on the lookout for a monarch.
All will be well.

'Texting Thru Cancer': Sometimes slowing down brings life into sharp relief


A bright spot in a backyard tree caught my eye. A cardinal? No. A red sassafras leaf.


Extra tea: Read and meditate on Psalm 139 -- See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. – Isaiah 49:1516 (NIV)
When my daughter was in high school, she often came home with inked scribbles covering her hand.
“Jaime,” I asked her one day, “what did you do to your hand?”
She held out her hand for me to see. “Take gym clothes,” read one message. “Call Sharon,” read another.
“I write notes to myself on my hand because that way I know I won’t forget,” she explained. “It’s always in front of me.”
I write notes to myself, too, but my method isn’t as efficient as hers. Sticky notes and scraps of paper tend to get lost in the shuffle of everyday living, or I just plain forget to look at them.
And I’m too old-fashioned to get in the habit of using my use my cellphone for reminders. Maybe I should consider using Jaime’s method of reminding myself of important things, as I’m getting older and my brain feels like a cluttered room.
It’s a good thing God doesn’t forget us, even though at times we may feel forsaken.
When the Israelites were sent into exile because of their repeated refusal to obey God’s laws, God, through the prophet Isaiah, assured them that He would not forget them: “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” (Isaiah 49:15 NIV).
Even though at times I may feel that God has forgotten me, I need to remind myself that my faith is not based on my feelings, which change with every passing moment. Faith is believing that God is with me, even though I can’t see Him, hear Him or sense His presence.
My faith is based in the unchanging Word of God Himself, who says, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV). “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands (Isaiah 49:16 NIV).
Wow!
Remind me, O God, when I’m feeling forsaken and alone, that I am always before you. Amen.

'God, Me and a Cup of Tea': The Lord never forgets us


When my daughter was in high school, she often came home with inked scribbles covering her hand.


THERE is a fine line between wanting Yorkshire to do well but not wanting them to do so well that it cuts short a visit to Scarborough.
Such concerns must have crossed the minds of the Yorkshire crowd yesterday when the hosts were busy ripping through the Notts’ batting line-up with the ease of piranhas devouring their victims.
But after dismissing Notts for 94 on the stroke of lunch, after they had started day two on 38-2 in reply to their own first-innings 282, Yorkshire chose not to enforce the follow-on despite a lead of 188, thereby ensuring that the game could not be over inside two days, which had seemed eminently plausible.
As owners of local guest houses and hostelries no doubt turned cartwheels of joy, so too did those Yorkshire members who adore it at North Marine Road, with 84 per cent of them having voted in a recent survey conducted by the club to retain two Championship games there from next season.
With Yorkshire having to take one match away from Headingley or Scarborough due to changes to the fixture list, it can be taken as read that the decision will come down in the seaside town’s favour, but that is not to say that many of those Scarborough devotees were not a little baffled as to why Yorkshire – their bowlers fresh and their opponents fragile – opted to increase their lead in glorious sunshine.
It is the modern way, of course, not to enforce, and it is unlikely to make a jot of difference to the result, with Yorkshire set to close the gap to five points on leaders Middlesex with a win here, and Notts looking every inch like relegation material.
Yorkshire followed up with 200-4 in 61 overs in their second innings, Gary Ballance, the captain, scoring an unbeaten 75 to stretch the lead to a lofty 388.
Even with dodgy weather forecast today, Yorkshire’s fourth Championship victory of the season would seem as much of a formality as high and low tide.
Regardless of the question as to whether to enforce, that Yorkshire were even in a position to do so was tribute to a rousing recovery from 51-6 on day one.
Magnificent contributions from Andrew Hodd, Azeem Rafiq and Jack Brooks were mainly responsible for a revival completed by Yorkshire’s four-pronged pace attack of Brooks, Ryan Sidebottom, Tim Bresnan and Steve Patterson, who needed just 25.5 overs on the second morning to winkle out the last eight wickets.
The tone was set – as it so often is – by the venerable Sidebottom, who belied his 38 years with a splendid exhibition of swing bowling from the Peasholm Park end to take 3-5 in 12 balls and reduce Notts to 52-5.
Michael Lumb, the former Yorkshire batsman, was drawn forward and caught behind by one that shaped away; Steven Mullaney was lbw playing across the line; and Samit Patel was caught upper-cutting high to Bresnan at first slip.
Sidebottom would have had a fourth wicket with the score on 59 but Bresnan dropped a low chance at first slip, with Brendan Taylor not then off the mark.
But it was only a temporary setback for a Yorkshire side who made equally light work of the mid-to-lower order.
Chris Read miscued an attempted pull off Brooks to cover; Brett Hutton edged Brooks low to Adam Lyth at second slip; Taylor’s luck finally ran out when he played on an attempted drive off Patterson; Luke Wood flashed in foolhardy fashion at Bresnan and was caught behind, and an innings caked in collective embarrassment ended when Luke Fletcher helped Bresnan to Jack Leaning at third slip.
That Yorkshire would bat again was betrayed by the sight of openers Lyth and Alex Lees sprinting off the ground to strap on their pads, and they safely negotiated the one over that remained before lunch.
After the break, the cricket grew steadily soporific as the 5,000 crowd watched Yorkshire increase their lead in the way of builders systematically adding bricks to a house.
Lees added 30 bricks before he was lbw to Hutton, ending a first-wicket stand of 72, and Lyth followed shortly after for 41, caught and bowled by Wood off a leading edge.
Lehmann and Ballance added 61 in 22 overs before Lehmann slogged Samit Patel straight up in the air to Wood at mid-on.
Ballance, dropped on 20 when he pulled Fletcher to a diving Tom Moores at mid-wicket, advanced to a 113-ball half-century that included eight fours, and Leaning helped him add 57 before being stumped.
Play was halted seven overs early due to bad light with swooping seagulls ready to reclaim the outfield once the cricketers had left for the evening.

Yorkshire v Notts: Seaside air leaves Gary Ballance in mood to play on


THERE is a fine line between wanting Yorkshire to do well but not wanting them to do so well that it cuts short a visit to Scarborough.


THE NatWest T20 Blast is all done and dusted.
A Royal London Cup semi-final looms on the horizon but, for now, Yorkshire’s attention returns to the Specsavers County Championship.
England's Stuart Broad is absent from the Notts line up Picture: Adam Davy/PA.
They are second in Division One, 26 points behind Middlesex with a game in hand.
And this week’s match against Nottinghamshire at Scarborough represents that game in hand.
It comes against a side who are bottom of the league and staring down the barrel of relegation.
Mathematically, it is not a must-win fixture, for there are still four to play after this match.
But it presents an obvious opportunity for Yorkshire to close the gap on Middlesex, and to close it to just two points if they can claim the maximum 24.
Yorkshire travel to second-bottom Hampshire next week and host third-bottom Durham the following week, before ending their campaign at home to Somerset and away to Middlesex.
A hat-trick of titles is still in their hands, but you sense that they need to seize the present moment.
It will not be easy.
Not only is the weather unpredictable at this time of year, rendering victories already gained like gold dust, but sides such as Notts are scrapping for points for different reasons – namely, their First Division survival.
Trent Bridge is arguably the finest ground in the country – at least outside of Lord’s, and with all due respect to Scarborough –but it faces the unpalatable prospect of Second Division cricket.
It will be extremely tough for Notts to beat a strong Yorkshire team at Scarborough, a ground where Notts have won only once in 12 matches, indeed, but that does not mean that they will be pushovers in what has been a tight division.
Yorkshire have a good recent record in the Championship at North Marine Road, but they lost on their last outing there in early July – an innings defeat to Middlesex that they hope will not have the same look in retrospect that Durham’s win there did in 2013, when it provided the impetus for the visitors to go on and pip Jason Gillespie’s team to the title.
Yorkshire, on paper, should be too strong for Notts, and yet the visitors possess some talented players.
Stuart Broad, the England pace bowler, is out with an ankle injury, and there is no Jake Ball or Alex Hales, who are on one-day international duty along with Yorkshire’s Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Liam Plunkett and Adil Rashid.
But Notts have plenty of seasoned campaigners – not least the evergreen Chris Read and Samit Patel.
First-team coach Gillespie is certainly not taking Notts for granted as his side go in search of their fourth win of the Championship campaign.
“It’s going to be a massive challenge,” said Gillespie.
“Notts are a very good side, and although they haven’t played the cricket they’d like in the Championship, they’re an incredibly dangerous team and they’ve got some real match-winners.
“We need to play at our best if we’re going to compete with them, and we’ve got to make sure that we tick all the boxes.
“We’ve got a good record at Scarborough in recent times, and hopefully we can build on that this week.”
A week of inactivity for Middlesex would be as good a week as any for the champions to strike, with the leaders battling problems of their own.
With pace bowler Steven Finn currently out with a hamstring injury, Middlesex have been dealt another blow with the news that former Notts batsman Adam Voges will not be returning to captain them for their last four games, with Cricket Australia wanting him to rest his own hamstring problem.
Middlesex return to action next week when they travel to Warwickshire before visiting Notts the following week.
They continue their programme away to Lancashire before the potentially key fixture with Yorkshire in late September.
Notts, who are 14 points adrift at the bottom, really need something from this week’s fixture.
Mick Newell, their coach, is considering changes to his batting line-up, with Root’s brother, Billy, among those who could come into the team along with fellow batsman Tom Moores, the 19-year-old son of former England coach Peter Moores.
Whoever he selects, Newell is conscious of the need for immediate improvement.
“We’re in a mess in the Championship,” he admitted.
“We’ve got to try and get out of the bottom two.
“This is a really big game, and I’m not sure where the pressure sits because they’re trying to get to the top and we’re obviously trying to get off the bottom.
“We’ve got to find a way of winning games.”

Yorkshire v Nottinghamshire: Yorkshire lookint to seize the moment in Championship title bid


THE NatWest T20 Blast is all done and dusted.


Mike And Dave Need Wedding Dates is a new romantic comedy out later this month but we are giving you the chance to see it first and free.
We have 10 pairs of tickets to be won to an exclusive advance screening at Vue cinema, Meadowhall, Sheffield, on Tuesday, August 2, at 6.30pm.
Our winners will get to see it more than a week before anyone else - it opens in UK cinemas on August 10.
Mike And Dave Need Wedding Dates (15 certificate) is based on real life events when hard-partying brothers Mike (Adam Devine) and Dave (Zac Efron) place an online ad to find the perfect dates (Anna Kendrick, Aubrey Plaza) for their sister's Hawaiian wedding.
Hoping for a wild getaway, the boys instead find themselves outsmarted and out-partied by the uncontrollable duo.
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Enter our free draw - by Twitter or email - for a chance to win one of 10 pairs of tickets to an exclusive advance screening of Mike And Dave Need Wedding Dates at Vue cinema, Meadowhall, Sheffield, on Tuesday, August 2, at 6.30pm.
Simply follow @GW1962 on Twitter and retweet any of his #JPCompMADNWD tweets, or email your full name, age, address, telephone nuners and email details, with #JPCompMADNWD in the subject field, to graham,walker@jpress.co.uk. Deadline is Monday, August 1, 10am.
Tickets cannot be swapped or exchanged for other venues, film screenings, dates or times - so only enter if you can attend. Only one email entry per person. Usual Johnston Press terms and conditions apply see www.johnstonpress.co.uk/competition
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Golfers swung into action at the Rotary Club’s Golf Day and raised more than £1,500 for various charities, including Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Action Medical Research.


ALEX LEES is confident that Yorkshire can complete the next piece in the jigsaw as they continue their quest for an historic treble.
Lees’s men face Kent in the quarter-final of the Royal London Cup at Canterbury today (2pm start).
Yorkshire are also in the hunt to win the County Championship and the NatWest T20 Blast, lying second in the Championship – 26 points behind leaders Middlesex with a game in hand – and through to T20 Finals Day at Edgbaston on Saturday.
“It’s another chance for us to go a step closer (to the treble), and I’m confident that we can give a good account of ourselves at Kent,” said Lees.
“When you’re still alive in all three competitions at this stage of the season, it’s obviously an exciting time for players and spectators, and it could all come together for us quite nicely.
“But there’s a lot of hard work ahead, and we’ll need a bit of luck along the way.
“We can only do what we’ve been doing all season, which is to go about our business game by game.”
Lees believes a good result today would be the perfect boost going into Finals Day.
But he is under no illusion as to the size of the task.
“Kent are a very good one-day team,” he said.
“They’ve got some talented and dangerous players, and we’ll have to play very well.
“But we’re going down there with a strong team ourselves, and it would be nice to take a win from the quarter-final into T20 Finals Day, which would give us a lot of confidence.”
Yorkshire have England stars Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow and Gary Ballance available for today’s match and also Finals Day, with Root and Bairstow then rejoining England for the one-day series against Pakistan.
Their presence will strengthen a Yorkshire team that have played some excellent one-day cricket of late, not least in the T20 Blast.
Having been bottom of the North Group at halfway, Yorkshire won six of their last seven matches to reach the quarter-finals.
They then produced one of their best displays of the summer to thrash Glamorgan by 90 runs in Cardiff to set up a semi-final against Durham at Finals Day.
“It was a brilliant win in Cardiff, and it would be great if we could produce a repeat performance against Durham,” said Lees.
“Durham have got Stokesy back (Ben Stokes), which will obviously strengthen them, but we’ve got our England lads, too, and it’s going to be a cracking game.
“We’ve been playing some great T20 cricket at just the right time, and I’m confident in the strength of the team and the cricket that we’re playing.
“Everyone’s been contributing, and it’s a real team effort to get to this stage.”
Yorkshire looked down and out when they were struggling in the group phase, but Lees insists that he never lost faith.
He always felt that a talented squad would come back fighting.
“Everybody was writing us off after the first few games, but we always had that sense of belief that if we got a couple of wins under our belt, then we could get on a roll,” he added.
“We just needed a few wins to get some confidence, and look what that’s done for us.
“It was a frustrating start to the tournament, there’s no doubt about that, but we were confident in our tactics and selections, and I always had the belief in the lads.
“I always believed in the ability that we have in the dressing room, and once we got on that roll, we’ve been hard to stop.”
Yorkshire (from): Bairstow, Ballance, Bresnan, Hodd, Leaning, Lees (capt), Lyth, Patterson, Plunkett, Rafiq, Rashid, Rhodes, Root, Waite, Willey.

Kent v Yorkshire: Everything is now falling into place for Yorkshire believes confident captain


ALEX LEES is confident that Yorkshire can complete the next piece in the jigsaw as they continue their quest for an historic treble.


To celebrate the release of Suicide Squad - in cinemas August 5 - Warner Bros Pictures and Cineworld Sheffield have teamed up with us to offer you the chance to win film merchandise and tickets.
Assemble a team of the world’s most dangerous, incarcerated super villains, provide them with the most powerful arsenal at the government’s disposal and send them off on a mission to defeat an enigmatic, insuperable entity.
US intelligence officer Amanda Waller has determined only a secretly convened group of disparate, despicable individuals with next to nothing to lose will do.
However, once they realise they weren’t picked to succeed, but chosen for their patent culpability when they inevitably fail, will the Suicide Squad resolve to die trying, or decide it’s every man for himself?
Hot on the heels of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice comes the third film in the DC Comics movie universe.
An all-star cast including Will Smith as ace assassin Deadshot, Margot Robbie as the deranged Harley Quinn, Cara Delevingne as the mysterious Enchantress and Jared Leto as the Joker help bring this legendary comic book series to the big screen. Look out for a cameo from Ben Affleck’s Batman.
Cineworld Sheffield will be screening this 15 cert film - only suitable for people aged 15 and older - in IMAX 3D, 4DX, VIP and normal 2D, with special midnight launch screenings. Full details at www.cineworld.co.uk/films/suicide-squad
WIN PRIZES:
We have some amazing prizes to be won including exclusive replicas of the cane used in the film by The Joker.
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For a chance to win simply FOLLOW Graham Walker on Twitter @GW1962 and retweet any of his tweets featuring the hashtag #JPCompSS16 or email him - one email per person - with your full name, age, address, phone numbers and email details, with #JPCompSS16 in the subject field, at graham.walker@jpress.co.uk
Deadline is Friday, August 5, 2016, 10am.
Tickets will be for screenings at Cineworld Sheffield and from Monday, August 8, 2016, subject to availability, during this original theatre release period only. Film certification rules apply. This is a 15 certificate film. Usual Johnston Press terms and conditions apply see www.johnstonpress.co.uk/competition
* For official film social media news and more check out the hashtag #SuicideSquad on Facebook at facebook.com/suicidesquaduk, Twitter @SuicideSquadWB and Instagram at @suicidesquadmovie
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To celebrate the release of Suicide Squad - in cinemas August 5 - Warner Bros Pictures and Cineworld Sheffield have teamed up with us to offer you the chance to win film merchandise and tickets.


WIN: Suicide Squad film merchandise and Cineworld Sheffield tickets


Yorkshire squeezed into the Royal London One-Day Cup semi-finals by beating Kent by 11 runs in a slow-burning thriller under the Canterbury floodlights –
David Willey pinned James Tredwell lbw for 17 with the fifth ball of the 48th over to complete a game which had ebbed and flowed to the delight of a near-capacity crowd of almost 6,000.
Adam Lyth top-scored with 88 from 96 balls, hitting a six and eight fours, as Yorkshire reached 256 for 9 from their 50 overs after being asked to bat.
Matt Coles took 3 for 39 from his ten overs for Kent and Charlie Hartley, a 22-year-old seamer playing in only his third List A game, dismissed both Joe Root, for 45, and Jonny Bairstow in his ten-over stint of 2 for 42.
Hartley, coming in at No 10, then almost took Kent home, scoring 15 in a nail-biting ninth wicket stand of 29 in 6.2 overs with Tredwell before being lbw to Adil Rashid’s googly to the last ball of the 47th over as Kent eventually could make just 245 in reply.
Kent initially slipped to 66 for 4 with Daniel Bell-Drummond, Sam Northeast and Sam Billings all out cheaply, but Darren Stevens and Alex Blake revived them with a fifth wicket stand of 86 in 13 overs.
Kent's Will Gidman celebrates taking the wicket of Yorkshire's Tim Bresnan (PA)
Blake made 50 and Stevens 54 and, when they fell to Willey and Liam Plunkett respectively, it was left to Kent’s lower order to try to get them over the line. Despite their best efforts, they could not quite do it, with Plunkett finishing with 4 for 52 and Rashid bowling some crucial overs at the death.
Blake played brilliantly for 50 from 38 balls, hitting off spinner Azeem Rafiq on to the roof of the Underwood and Knott Stand for six and also including seven fours in a counter-attacking knock that shook Yorkshire’s international-class bowling attack.
Willey, however, cleverly decided to test the 27-year-old with a succession of short balls, one of which hit Blake a nasty blow on the chin, and won the duel when the left-hander flapped at another bouncer and edged through to the keeper.
Stevens, in his benefit year, also batted with great spirit in his 500th match for Kent in all formats – and 742nd in senior cricket overall – but the home challenge faded when he fell to a magnificent one-handed caught-and-bowled by Plunkett, flinging himself to his left.
Yorkshire's David Willey celebrates taking the wicket of Kent's Alex Blake. Picture: Adam Davy/PA.
Will Gidman managed 19, uppercutting Plunkett for six, before giving the same bowler another return catch and Coles, who briefly raised Kent hopes again with a four and two sixes smeared over the legside ropes off Rafiq, was stumped by Bairstow off Adil Rashid’s googly for a quickfire 22.
Willey had earlier pinned Bell-Drummond leg-before for 2 with the last ball of the second over, an inswinging yorker that hit the batsman on the boot, and Kent lost two more top order wickets in successive overs when Northeast chipped Plunkett to short mid wicket on 23 and Billings was beaten by a Steven Patterson off-cutter and lbw for one to his fourth ball.
At least Northeast had helped Joe Denly to add 50 in 9.4 overs for the second wicket, swinging Tim Bresnan’s medium pace into the adjoining building site for six in the process, while Denly drove Patterson for a maximum over long on and had also hit four fours in a 45-ball 31 when he top-edged an attempted swivel-pull at Plunkett and skied to mid on.
Lyth sprang from the traps in the early overs, thumping Mitch Claydon through the covers for four and then hammering a length ball straight for six. Alex Lees, his opening partner, also lofted Claydon for four but, from the next ball, he pulled to deep square leg to depart for 7 and leave Yorkshire 27 for 1 after five overs.
Root then joined Lyth in a stand of 90 in 18 overs that oozed quality, but just when it seemed the England No 3 was moving up the gears he was gone, for 45 from 55 balls with only three fours, brilliantly held on the deep mid wicket ropes by Blake who sprinted to his left and leapt to hold a flat pull and give Hartley the first success of a day to remember.
Bairstow, after one sublime push-drive for four wide of mid on off Hartley, then fell for 7 as he mis-hit to Bell-Drummond at a deepish mid on to give the young seamer his second high-profile scalp.
redwell bowled a typically steady ten-over stint of off spin, though without success, and the return of Coles for the 34th over brought immediate reward when left-hander Lyth was beaten by a fine ball angled across him down the slope which he thin-edged to keeper Billings.
Bresnan and Willey were then removed in the same over, the 39th, by Will Gidman as Kent – who had bowled with discipline and fielded like tigers – began to sense Yorkshire’s unease and turn the screw.
Bresnan, having laboured to 10, scooped tamely to short extra cover and Willey flicked at a legside delivery and was smartly caught by Billings, moving to his right.
Hartley returned to finish his 10-over allocation, almost having Plunkett caught and bowled and then hitting the England one-day international on the grille of his helmet as he tried to pull a short ball that stuck in the pitch. Gidman, meanwhile, beat Ballance with successive deliveries that seamed away from him.
It was no surprise when Plunkett, who could not get going, skied Coles to Northeast at extra cover for 16 from 21 balls, leaving Ballance and Rashid to collect what runs they could from the closing overs.
Ballance, having struggled to 37 from 55 balls, was run out when Rashid turned down a third run and he could not get back to the bowler’s end and Coles pegged back Rafiq’s off stump for 1 to take his competition wicket tally to 24 at 17.41 runs apiece.
A straight four and pulled six by Rashid off Claydon in the final over took Yorkshire beyond 250 but they had looked certain to total nearer 300 when Lyth and Root were together.

Yorkshire survive Kent scare to set up Royal London semi-final date with Surrey


Yorkshire squeezed into the Royal London One-Day Cup semi-finals by beating Kent by 11 runs in a slow-burning thriller under the Canterbury floodlights –


NO-ONE is better qualified than David Willey when it comes to the T20 Finals Day experience.
Yorkshire have been there only once, but this will be Willey’s fourth appearance, having made it three times with previous club Northants.
In 2009, Willey was part of the side that lost by seven wickets to Sussex in the semi-final.
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He was just 19 years old and had an unremarkable match; he did not bat as Northants totalled 136-6, and then he bowled two wicketless overs for 16 runs.
In 2013, Willey had the antithesis of an unremarkable match when Northants beat Surrey by 102 runs in the final.
He opened the batting and scored 60 from 27 balls with six fours and four sixes, and then he took 4-9 from 2.3 overs, finishing the match with a hat-trick when he dismissed Zafar Ansari, Jon Lewis and Chris Tremlett.
Willey was on the losing side last year when Lancashire beat Northants in the final by 13 runs.
He took 2-21 from four overs as Lancs scored 166-7, and then he hit 24 from 21 balls as Northants replied with 153-6.
As no other Yorkshire player has been to Finals Day more than once, his experience will be invaluable as Yorkshire seek to win the competition for the first time.
“I guess so,” said Willey, who left Wantage Road for Headingley during the close season.
“My primary role with regards to the move to Yorkshire was to try and help improve the club’s one-day cricket, and, hopefully, we are starting to make improvements.
“There will be expectation on me to perform (at Finals Day), but that’s the case with any one-day game.
“It’s a big day out and a great day out, particularly if you’re part of the team that lifts the trophy.”
Willey, one of four Yorkshire players who appeared in the World T20 final against the West Indies in April, along with Joe Root, Liam Plunkett and Adil Rashid, has made a habit of performing on the big stage.
He did it again when helping Yorkshire book their place at Edgbaston with a 90-run win over Glamorgan in the quarter-final in Cardiff, thumping 79 from 38 balls with seven fours and six sixes.
“I like to perform on the big occasions,” he said.
“Against Glamorgan, I didn’t really have a plan; I just tried to give myself a chance to clear the ropes, and a couple of loose deliveries gave me a platform.
“We’re all looking forward to Finals Day, and fingers-crossed we can win a couple more games and get the trophy.
“We’ve got all our England lads back, which will make it a massive headache for the coaches to pick 11 players.”
The man with the headache is first-team coach Jason Gillespie, who has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal.
But you can bet that one of the first names on his team sheet will be Willey, who has a proven record for lighting up Finals Day.
“Dave’s the type of player who can change a game,” said Gillespie, whose side take on Durham in the second semi-final, with the winner playing Northants or Notts in the final.
“We’ve seen what he’s done for Northants in the past, and he can pick up wickets early and swing the ball, score quick runs and he’s always in the game.
“That’s what I really like about him, and he’s brought a lot to our team.
“We’re delighted to have him because he’s such a positive guy, happy to challenge his team-mates – which is really healthy – and very competitive, too.”
Willey’s all-round ability gives Gillespie flexibility.
He is effectively three players in one – good with the bat, ball and in the field.
“To have someone who’s great in the field, who whacks them like he does, and who opens the bowling gives us so many extra options,” said Gillespie.
“It allows us to play an extra batsman as well.
“The start he gives us with the bat is fantastic, and it’s something we probably haven’t had in T20 for a while.
“It showed with his performance at Cardiff, when people could see why we were so keen to secure his services.”
Gillespie encourages all of his players to speak in the dressing room and Willey will address the team prior to Finals Day.
Yorkshire are keen to tap into his knowledge and know-how in an effort to gain an extra edge.
“Some of our lads haven’t been to Finals Day before, and it will be good to get Dave’s thoughts in the team meeting,” said Gillespie.
“His knowledge of it will be important, and something that we can draw on, and Dave’s the type of player who steps up when needed, and hopefully he can show everyone how good he is again.
“We’ve got a lot of match-winners in our side, and it’s going to be fantastic
“There was a lot of drive and ambition from everyone at the club to get this far in the competition after everyone had written us off – that was a really good motivating tool for us – and we’re just pleased as punch to be in with a shout.”
Ben Duckett hopes Northants can sneak under the radar again, having been part of the Steelbacks side which defied the odds to win the tournament in 2013 and fell at the final hurdle against Lancashire 12 months ago.
Northants face Notts Outlaws in the first semi-final today and are the only side involved in Finals Day who have previously won the competition.
Left-hander Duckett says confidence will be high despite their lack of high-profile players.
“We haven’t got any international stars. Finals Day will be interesting to see who is talked about – Yorkshire,” said the 21-year-old Duckett.
“We just keep going under the radar but smost of our guys love the pressure. We just go out and enjoy ourselves.”

T20 Finals Day: David Willey is aiming to give Yorkshire the edge


NO-ONE is better qualified than David Willey when it comes to the T20 Finals Day experience.


JASON GILLESPIE last night defended Yorkshire’s tactics after his Lancashire counterpart Ashley Giles said that he was surprised they did not make more of an effort to go for the win.
Set 367 from a minimum of 71 overs, Yorkshire were 188-0 from 52 overs when hands were shaken on a hard-fought draw.
Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe
Yorkshire had needed 219 from 30 overs at tea, after which they scored 40 in 11 overs as they decided that the target was just too steep.
Alex Lees finished on 114 and Adam Lyth 63, the draw moving Yorkshire up from third to second in the table, 26 points behind Middlesex with a game in hand.
“We certainly didn’t rule it out (going for the win), but all the feedback we were getting back from the guys in the middle, who were in the best position to gauge, was that it was going to be a really tough ask to chase that total down,” said first team coach Gillespie.
“We were communicating back and forth quite regularly throughout the innings, and they felt that while they were in it was ok, but it was going to be really tough for a new batter to start, and that it was probably going to be a bridge too far.
“They felt that it was going to be tough even if they were in, let alone for the lads coming in subsequently. They were the guys who were in the hot-seat out there, and they felt that there was a lot of uneven bounce and that balls were spitting out of the rough.”
Gillespie said that if Yorkshire had needed “150 with 20 (overs) to go”, instead of 180, they “may well have had a dart”.
He added that “we’re a positive side” who always “want to go for it”.
However, Giles, the Lancashire coach and former England left-arm spinner, thought Yorkshire might have taken more of a punt with wickets in hand.
He admitted that the home side had been fearful watching from the sidelines.
“We were a little bit nervous on the balcony,” said Giles.
“To get to a position when they were none down, I perhaps thought they might have just gone a bit longer.
“But that’s their decision, nothing to do with us, and we’re happy to come out of it with the way we’ve played cricket and a strong draw against a very good team.”
Gillespie felt Yorkshire had actually proved a point to their hosts.
After Lancashire thrashed 162 in 23 overs at the start of day four to set up the match, with 19-year-old Haseeb Hameed becoming the first Lancastrian to score two hundreds in a Roses game, Gillespie said that Yorkshire had done well to repel the home team.
“We’ve made a bit of a statement to Lancashire,” he said.
“They probably played as good cricket as they’ve played all year, and they couldn’t get a wicket going for a win on day four.
“They could not take one Yorkshire wicket.
“That’s a real statement from us, so we’re pleased in that sense.”
Gillespie said he would have “snapped your hand off” had he been offered Yorkshire’s current position at the start of the season.
However, he conceded that improvements must be made – not least to the bowling and body language, with Yorkshire having blown a good position in this match when they leaked 195 in 37.2 overs at the start of day two.
“That morning of day two wasn’t good enough,” said Gillespie.
“We need to adapt quicker to those situations and we need to be better.
“One thing that we identified was that we could have been a lot better with our body language out on the field on that second morning.
“The bowlers have to accept responsibility, but there are 11 lads out there and they need to have good energy levels, good hustle, and they admitted they probably could have been better with regard to that.”
It was a match played in a typically competitive spirit which occasionally seemed to cross the line.
Yorkshire were unhappy when video footage emerged yesterday of Liam Livingstone’s diving catch to dismiss Andrew Hodd on day three, which appeared to cast doubt as to its validity.
Gillespie declined to comment other than to say “it’s a matter for the CLO (cricket liaison officer) and the umpires”, but there was no love lost between the teams.
Hameed, who followed his first innings 114 with an unbeaten 100 before the declaration came half-an-hour before lunch, admitted that Lancashire had been determined not to be “bullied” by Yorkshire, which perhaps betokened an aggressive approach.
Hameed, who also became the youngest Lancashire player to score 1,000 runs in a Championship season, beating Mike Atherton by almost two years, played splendidly for his hundred, as did Lees.
DISPLAY OF THE DAY
ALEX LEES followed his first-innings 85 with 114 not out, made from 169 balls with 15 fours and a six.

Lancashire v Yorkshire: Roses run chase was ‘bridge too far’ insists Jason Gillespie


JASON GILLESPIE last night defended Yorkshire’s tactics after his Lancashire counterpart Ashley Giles said that he was surprised they did not make more of an effort to go for the win.


Sorry, we're having problems with our video player at the moment, but are working to fix it as soon as we can
Yorkshire's latest Radio 1 stars The Sherlocks had a muddy great time at Leeds Festival - they drew a crowd of more than 6,000 fans then camped out with them.
The Sheffield indie four piece turned down a five star hotel and proved they are a real band of the people.
After packing out the Festival Republic stage they decided to pitched a tent in one of the muddy camp sites.
360 PHOTO: Take a look around the muddy camp site where hundreds of music fans also pitched their tents at Leeds Festival - CLICK HERE.
Frontan Kiaran Crook, aged 20, revealed: "We played our set then decided to camp through the night. We had an option to go into a five star hotel, with a jacuzzi and everything, but we decided to camp.
"We just love it."
He then joked: "We ended up camping next to the Red Hot Chili Peppers- I could hear Anthony snoring.
"But no, seriously, we love it. We love a bit of mud. We just thought, we might as well have the full festival experience."
Melvin Benn, Reading and Leeds Festival boss, said: "I didn't know The Sherlocks went and pitched up in the camp site. It doesn't surprise me. It's what my kids do. They want to be in the public camp site. Anybody who thinks the VIP area is the place to be, I can tell you it's a bit more boring."
Other Yorkshire bands who played at Leeds over the weekend included Sheffield's The Wired and Liberty Ship, Leeds band Dusk, Fighting Caravans, York based Faux Pas and many more.
The Sherlocks played to over 6,000 people then camped out with fans in muddy fields at Leeds Festival.
The Sherlocks, also featuring Kiaran's brother, drummer Brandon, 23, guitarist Josh Davidson, 22, and his brother and bassist Andy, 17, recently played the biggest music festival in the world, SXSW in Austin, Texas.
They also played at Reading Festival at the weekend but said Leeds, their Yorkshire homecoming, was the highlight of their year.
Kiaran added: "Leeds Festival is really important to us. It's given us a chance to pick up new fans. We had a blast. The tent was packed. It exceeded what we thought it would be.We're going on tour next month, starting in Brighton and finishing in Stockton, with a sold out gig in Leeds.
"It would be nice to do the NME/Radio 1 stage next year, I think that's where we are heading."
The Sherlocks at Leeds Festival
Brandon added: "We are at home when playing Leeds festival. Now we need to get an album out while we've got momentum behind us."
The Sherlocks, who will record their debut album later this year, begin a 16-date UK headline tour later this week, including a sold out show at The Wardrobe in Leeds, on Tuesday, September 20.
For full dates and tickets visit thesherlocksmusic.co.uk
The Sherlocks on stage at Leeds Festival

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Leeds Festival stars The Sherlocks camp in mud with fans


AT this moment in time, the County Championship title race looks like going right down to the wire.
From the outside, you cannot help but look at the last game of the season versus Middlesex at Lord’s, although there is still a lot of cricket to be played up until then and Middlesex got over the line in good fashion this week and are playing some good cricket.
When you get to this stage of the season, you talk about holding your nerve and we have been there before.
READ MORE - Yorkshire inspired by their past failures
READ MORE - David Willey is aiming to give Yorkshire the edge
READ MORE - Lyth’s knock the spark for Yorkshire’s white-ball momentum, says Lees
READ MORE - Chris Waters: Leg-spinner Adil Rashid in danger of becoming a wasted talent
For us, Leesy is coming into some form and Lythy is and me now as well and, hopefully, we can use that to really start hitting our straps.
I was happy to contribute with 83 in the Roses game at Old Trafford. I wanted three figures and was desperate to get there, but I did occupy the crease for a long period of time and in the context of the game, it was an important knock and I was pleased to get runs.
Coming to the business end of the season, I had said before that we can get our players in form, then it sets us up nicely.
I was pleased to contribute. In the context of the game, there was a lot of rubbish flying around on the field and it was nice to shut up a few of their lads.
We needed 219 from 30 overs at tea on the last day, but decided that the target was just too much and shook hands on the draw.
You have to trust the batsmen out there, I guess, and their decision and the pitch was deteriorating.
There was quite a lot of spin and with our left-handers in the top-order, it was probably a bridge too far. And I think that it was a good statement with us being none down as well.
The last thing we wanted to do was be holding out for a draw, seven or eight wickets down or something like that and it was a decent statement from us, even though we didn’t play our best cricket at times. We came out with our heads held high.
If we had been chasing 150 or 160 going into that last 18 to 20 overs, then it would have given us a good chance. We just felt it was too many to chase.
I don’t think that Lancashire would have gone for it either, to be honest.
Overall, it was a solid draw, although I was a bit disappointed with the way we bowled on the morning of day two as I thought we were exceptional on day one and held our lines and lengths and were patient.
All that hard work was undone by poor bowling on the second morning and it really put us behind the eight-ball.
But the encouraging thing is we got past the follow-on and got back into the game.
Azeem Rafiq, Jack Leaning and David Willey all got their Yorkshire caps before the game and it was a fantastic moment.
The best part of my job is to give caps out like that and see what it means to the lads.
In particular, you could see it for the two lads who have come right through the age groups. To eventually get a Yorkshire cap; you could see the emotion in their faces when they received them.
It was good for David, too. He is starting to win games for us now in the short-ball format, although he probably has not played as many red-ball games as he would have liked and has had a few injury niggles and going into that Old Trafford game, he had a hamstring injury.
But he is starting to win games of cricket and that is why we signed him; for us to be in the hunt – in the white-ball Twenty20 and 50-over competition.
It’s finals day today in the T20 and I am looking forward to it and am going down there and will be in and around the squad.
It is a big day for the club and we want to keep our name in the hat for all three formats and trophies.
Obviously, I would have been liked to have been a part of the white-ball stuff. But when you look down the team sheet when all the international players come back, it is a bloody tough side to get into!

Andrew Gale: Lord’s showdown is looming and we’re really beginning to hit our straps


AT this moment in time, the County Championship title race looks like going right down to the wire.


Chart-toppers including B'witched, S Club stars, 911, The Hoosiers and Toploader will play at Summer Sounds concerts in Leeds on Saturday and you could see them for FREE.
We have 100 family tickets to be won - that's four tickets each - to either the day or night show of your choice in Millennium Square on August 6, 2016.
Check out the official web site for full details and how to buy tickets at www.summersounds.info
Worried About Ray and Goodbye Mr A hitmakers The Hoosiers, plus Dancing In The Moonlight stars Toploader and support Jamie Gilder will perform at the first concert, from 11.30am to 2pm.
B’Witched, famed for their number one hits C'est la Vie, Rollercoaster, To You I Belong, and Blame It On The Weatherman, head up the night slot, from 7.30pm to 10.30pm.
Sharing the later bill is S Club Party, featuring Jo and Bradley from S Club 7, who topped the charts with songs including Bring It All Back and Don't Stop Movin, along with A Little Bit More stars 911, Damage and Sweet Female Attitude.
B'witched
Both shows, which are standing only and presented by Livewire Events, are in a specially-created outdoor arena complete with licensed bar and catering, in the heart of the city.
WIN FAMILY TICKETS
Tickets are still available at £20 each - details below - but we have 50 family tickets for the day show and the same for the night concert to be won, in a free entry draw by email or Twitter.
But hurry - we are giving away five family tickets for each show every hour throughout the day from Friday, August 5, 10am.
The Hoosiers
Please note, only one entry per person, per show, allowed every hour.
HOW TO ENTER
For your chance to win four tickets for the day time concert, to see The Hoosiers, Toplader and Jamie Gilder, email your full name, age, address, mobile, landline and email details, with #JPCompSSDAY in the subject field to info@summersounds.info
Or follow @GW1962 and retweet any of this #JPCompSSDAY tweets.
Toploader
For your chance to win four tickets for the night time concert, to see B’Witched, S Club Party, 911, Damage and Sweet Female Attitude, email your full name, age, address, mobile, landline and email details, with #JPCompSSNIGHT in the subject field to info@summersounds.info.
Or follow @GW1962 and retweet any of this #JPCompSSNIGHT tweets.
Gate for the daytime show open at 10.30am, with performances from 11.30am. Gates for the evening concert open at 6.30pm, first band on 7.30pm.
Please only enter if you can definitely attend.
Winners will be notified throughout the day and entry will be via guest list names on the gate.
Each family of four winning party must include at least one supervising adult. transport not included. Johnston Press usual terms and conditions apply, see www.johnstonpress.co.uk/competition
* Guarantee your tickets - buy now at www.summersounds.info also see whatson.leeds.gov.uk , call 0113 376 0318 or buy in person from City Centre Box Office at The Leeds Town Hall (open 10am -6pm Monday to Saturday).
Have you got something to share on the story? Were you there? What do you think? - Send your pictures, videos or story and we'll publish the best × Continue the story WIN: 100 family tickets to Leeds Summer Sounds pop and rock shows Loading ... Add up to 3 photos or 1 videos to the story There's been a problem uploading your files. Please try again. By uploading your file you agree to our Terms and Conditions × Continue the story Sign in to contribute sign in shape the news in your area...


WIN: 100 family tickets to Leeds Summer Sounds pop and rock shows


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Yorkshire's Olympic cycling superstar Ed Clancy hopes to equal Sir Bradley Wiggins' total of five gold medals.
The 31-year-old, Barnsley born and Huddersfield raised, is already the county's most decorated athlete in Olympic history after helping to defend the men's team pursuit title from Beijing and London, picking up his third gold in Rio.
360 PHOTO: Look around the Rio Velodrome as Team GB race for gold in our amazing 360 photograph - CLICK HERE
After their win, in a video chat with Clancy at Team GB in the Olympic Village - watch it above - he told how he is now thinking four years ahead to what could be his own fairytale ending in Tokyo.
There he believes he could end up with two more Olympic golds.
That would put him level with Wiggins, aged 36, who ends his career as the most decorated British Olympic athlete with five golds, a silver and two bronzes to surpass fellow cyclist Sir Chris Hoy's tally of six golds and a silver..
Clancy, the only ever present member of the pursuit team to have won gold in the most recent three Olympics, said:: "I'm 31 now and I've got three golds. I'm going to do Tokyo, at least that's the plan.
Ed Clancy wins his third Olympic gold medal in Rio
"So who knows, I might pick up another one; two if I'm really lucky.
"In reality it's going to be very, very hard to match Sir Brad, but that's nothing to be ashamed of. He's a brilliant guy. He's been a real addition to this team. Brad's retired now but I'm grateful I've gone through two Olympics with him."
He paid tribute to National Lottery funding, distributed by UK Sport, which has given the financial support to take him and Team GB up the medals league table.
Clancy said: "My whole career started with them really. I was brought in through the talent team - British Cycling it was called back in the day and it's called Go Ride now.
Five gold medals for retiring Team GB cycling legend Sir Bradley Wiggins.
"Keep buying Lottery tickets. It's not just me that benefits from this.Without the funding, the input we've had from the Lottery and the Government we wouldn't be here."
The Yorkshireman was the beating heart of Rio's four man pursuit team, also featuring Owain Doull and Steven Burke, which saw Wiggins retire after their dramatic world record victory over Australia,
In a stand-out moment of an amazing Games for Team GB they came from behind in the pursuit final to beat the Aussies by almost a second with barely 500m of the 4,000m contest to go.
They set a new world record in the heat and broke it once again in the final, with a time of 3:50.265, in Rio's Olympic Park.
Going for gold in Rio - the GB Men's Pursuit Team
But it was against all the odds.The team failed at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and they didn't make the podium at last year’s world championships
Clancy was suffering from his own problems, slipping a disc in his back after a training session - simply picking his bag up in the changing room. Surgery followed, forcing him to miss the European championships.
He only turned it around in recent weeks, with reports from the team’s training base in Wales that they were going well after smashing the world record in a practice session. A nd he said it felt like the best gold yet.
"Yes, I'm over the moon," he said.
"It's been a difficult time between London Olympics and getting here in 2016, not just in terms of motivation but getting over injuries and what not.
"There is an old sayting, the tougher the fight the sweeter the victory and it's so true. I've never had to work so hard for this one.
"I had to get over a back surgery in December and scrape into the team in the World Championships, just to qualify your place. It's been a tough one but crossing that line ahead of the Aussies made it all so worthwhile.
"In a typical Team Pursuit the most efficient way to get from A to B is to set off hard, reach a cruising speed which you can only just hang on to, however the problem is if you ride like that in a final the other team can just set off like maniacs, get in your slip stream and then it's very hard to get rid of them.
"So both us and the Aussies were well over world record pace for the first two or three kilometers, way over it. There was no schedule really, We went flat out from the gun. I'm guessing they just pushed it a little bit too much, too soon.
"That's pursuiting. It's easy to go fast for the first three kilometers. You've got to cross the line after four kilometers.
"I guess we just paced it that little bit better than the Aussies and came better in the last two laps.
"It's like a house of cards, as soon as you take one guy out of the equation all comes crumbling down eventually. It might take one, two, three laps...but by the time that guy's got to do his turn again, they had nothing to give so it was good for us."
Have you got something to share on the story? Were you there? What do you think? - Send your pictures, videos or story and we'll publish the best × Continue the story RIO VIDEO & 360 PHOTO: Yorkshire's Ed Clancy gears up to equal Sir Bradley Wiggins' five Olympic golds Loading ... Add up to 3 photos or 1 videos to the story There's been a problem uploading your files. Please try again. By uploading your file you agree to our Terms and Conditions × Continue the story Sign in to contribute sign in shape the news in your area...


RIO VIDEO & 360 PHOTO: Yorkshire's Ed Clancy gears up to equal Sir Bradley Wiggins' five Olympic golds


AFTER five successful years at the helm, Yorkshire’s first-team coach, Jason Gillespie, this week revealed he would be leaving the club at the end of this season.
During his time at Headingley, he has overseen a period of tremendous success for the club, inheriting a team that had been relegated to Division Two of the County Championship before transforming them into an outfit capable of earning promotion back to the top tier at the first time of asking.
HHEADING HOME: Yorkshire first-team coach, Jason Gillespie. Picture: Simon Hulme
After finishing second in their first year back in Division One - pipped to the title they hadn’t won since in 2001 by Durham – they returned to the top of the tree two years in succession.
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Now, with four games remaining Yorkshire are still well-placed to make it three titles in a row and send Gillespie back home to South Australia on a perfect high.
The YP’s Chris Waters joins host Phil Harrison to discuss Gillespie’s departure, as well as reflecting on his time at the club and how his exit on Yorkshire CCC will impact on the club going forward.

CricketTalk: End of an era as Jason Gillespie prepares to exit Yorkshire CCC


AFTER five successful years at the helm, Yorkshire’s first-team coach, Jason Gillespie, this week revealed he would be leaving the club at the end of this season.


THE day was sunny and very warm, made bearable by a cooling breeze blowing from the Trafalgar Square end.
Thunder flies clung to the skin until they were swept away with sweaty hands or else flicked off – Subbuteo-like – with sticky fingers.
Spectators sat in shirt-sleeves and sun hats, occasionally raising a drink to their lips or slurping at ice creams, while seagulls squawked and circled the ground, looking for remnants of discarded food.
For much of the long and lazy afternoon, the pin-striped deckchairs in front of the West Stand marquee were vacant as important people enjoyed an extended lunch, occasionally popping their heads outside to check the scoreboard on the popular bank.
All the sights and sounds of Scarborough were present for the start of the 130th Festival, just as they have always been, and the cricket itself was of compelling character.
After half-an-hour’s play, Yorkshire were 21-0 after Notts, the bottom club, took up the right of the visiting side to field first.
Half-an-hour before lunch, Yorkshire, the second-placed club, had sunk to 51-6 after insipid batting and inspired work from medium-pacer Steven Mullaney had nipped out three of the wickets and effected a run-out.
A seventh-wicket stand of 132 in 34 overs between Andrew Hodd (96no) and Azeem Rafiq (74) stopped the bleeding, and even inspired a recovery back to rude health as both made their highest scores of the season, Hodd also making his highest score for Yorkshire.
The wicketkeeper deserved a century, but was left stranded when the hosts were dismissed for 282 deep into the evening session, Notts reaching stumps on 38-2.
On a day when 4,979 spectators gathered in glorious sunshine, it was pertinent to ponder initially who was not playing as much as who was.
Yorkshire were without Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid and David Willey due to international calls, while captain Andrew Gale failed a fitness test on a sore back, with Gary Ballance leading the club for the first time in the Championship.
Gale, who has struggled for runs, therefore missed out at a ground where he has scored 1,372 of them in 19 first-class games at 49, including a career-best 272 when these sides last met in the Championship here in 2013.
For their part, Notts were without pace bowlers Stuart Broad (ankle), Jake Ball (international duty) and Harry Gurney (hip), with the visitors handing a debut to 19-year-old batsman Tom Moores, son of former England head coach Peter Moores, the Notts’ coaching consultant.
Despite their depleted bowling resources, Notts could hardly have wished for a better morning session.
There was a strong element of luck about the first wicket, Adam Lyth run-out at the non-striker’s end when Mullaney deflected a drive from Alex Lees on to the stumps.
But there was nothing fortuitous thereafter as Lees pushed at one from Mullaney and was caught at third slip, Jake Lehmann was caught at second slip driving at Mullaney, and Ballance went lbw to Luke Fletcher playing across his pads.
When Tim Bresnan padded up to Mullaney and Jack Leaning followed a wide delivery from Brett Hutton and was caught at third slip, Yorkshire were 51-6 and in disarray.
But Hodd and Rafiq added 46 in seven overs before lunch, and then they frustrated the visitors in the afternoon, Notts failing to build on their earlier good work.
Rafiq, who has a first-class hundred to his name, gradually grew in confidence to the extent that he contemptuously thumped Hutton for four over mid-on towards the Peasholm Park end.
When he chipped the next ball for four just over a leaping Fletcher at mid-on, Rafiq had his third first-class fifty from 75 balls with eight boundaries, a fitting way to mark a day when he was officially re-presented with his county cap – along with Leaning – by the Yorkshire president, John Hampshire.
It took an apparently controversial decision from Neil Mallender to send him on his way, the umpire adjudging him lbw to Samit Patel, a wicket swiftly followed by that of Steve Patterson, who went lbw to Imran Tahir.
Hodd breezed past his previous best for Yorkshire of 68 not out against Somerset at Taunton three years ago, and he added 88 for the ninth-wicket in 21 overs with Jack Brooks, who contributed 48 from 66 balls with seven fours and a six, Brooks chopping on to Hutton.
When Ryan Sidebottom was lbw to Hutton nine balls later, Hodd was left agonisingly short of a fifth first-class hundred, having faced 185 balls and struck 10 fours.
Notts lost a wicket to the seventh ball of their reply when Brooks pinned Jake Libby lbw, and they would have been 1-2 had Leaning taken a low chance at third slip offered by Moores off Sidebottom.
But Bresnan had Moores caught at second slip by Lyth in the final over as Yorkshire completed a fine fightback.
Scoreboard: Page 22.

Yorkshire are left indebted to Andrew Hodd and Azeem Rafiq


THE day was sunny and very warm, made bearable by a cooling breeze blowing from the Trafalgar Square end.


IT WAS just fantastic for us to win at Scarborough this week and I thought our bowling display was as good as I have seen.
Personally, it was obviously frustrating not being involved after the good work I had done at Old Trafford, I had started to feel like my old self back at the crease. But I was proud as punch for the lads at Scarborough, they put in a real performance against Nottinghamshire after being 60-6 on the first morning and to turn it around on a similar fashion that we did, it followed a similar path to the Durham game at Scarborough last year.
We actually mentioned it on the first morning and last year, we were 90-9 on the first morning and ended up winning in three days and we came through again.
We have played some good cricket at Scarborough over the years and I can only remember losing a couple of games in seven or eight years. We were outstanding again and are getting to the business end of the season and it is very tight at the top of the league.
Middlesex are playing some good cricket. But we have the experience of coming through what we have done for the last few years and if we keep the pressure on and keep doing what we do, we can get over the line and make it three in a row. I am confident that we can do it.
Azeem Rafiq and Andrew Hodd came good with the bat for us when we were in trouble. Hoddy has had a bit of stick throughout the season about his batting from a number of supporters and he came in and showed what he is about and rolled his sleeves up and stuck his chest out.
It is not always about stats; it is about making that match-winning contribution and that is exactly what he did. To get 95, in the circumstances, helps keep the pressure on, given how close the league table is.
Rafiq also showed his prowess. He has got a first-class hundred and I think he made that on debut and I also remember playing a game at Worcester around 2008 and he got a hundred there, but probably never kicked on from that.
It is his way to be aggressive and the situation suited him and probably the best thing to do was attack and that is what he did and it came off.
The bowlers finished it off and it was pleasing to see how ruthless we were. I have previously spoken in this column about missed opportunities in games and not being able to clean the tail up. But our bowlers were outstanding throughout and bowled the right lines and lengths which you need to do at Scarborough.
To be fair, the ‘blotter’ that came from Headingley did its job on the ground. I think it set off a few days ago and it was really slow on the A64, but we managed to get it to Scarborough!
Obviously, it was frustrating to miss out with a back injury. It happened last Saturday when I was in the gym in the morning and just twinged it when I was squatting. I was okay, but then I came and had a bit of treatment from the physio and he treated to loosen it off and it actually made it worse and it locked up and I couldn’t move on Monday.
I had a fitness test on Tuesday morning. I probably could have got through the game if it was just about batting, but I couldn’t have really moved in the field and would have been letting the lads down if I had tried to get through. It has improved a lot since and had we started the game yesterday, then I would have been good to go, really. But unless there is a blip over the weekend, I will be ready for the game at Hampshire next week.
There was at least good news with David Willey’s injury. Looking at it on Saturday night after the Twenty20, I thought he had bust his hand with the size of it and everything. It added up to him breaking his hand and being out for the rest of the season.
It is added bonus that he isn’t and fingers crossed that we can get him back to tomorrow’s semi-final.

Andrew Gale: Outstanding display against Notts left me as proud as punch


IT WAS just fantastic for us to win at Scarborough this week and I thought our bowling display was as good as I have seen.


YORKSHIRE’s dream of winning the treble is over, but first team coach Jason Gillespie insisted that his players will come back fighting as they target the next best prize of a league and cup double.
Yorkshire failed in their attempt to win the NatWest T20 Blast for the first time when they lost by seven runs to Durham in the semi-final at Edgbaston on Saturday.
However, Gillespie’s men are still in the hunt for a hat-trick of County Championships and they are through to the Royal London Cup semi-finals for a second successive season, with Yorkshire determined to put behind them their T20 heartbreak.
“We were bitterly disappointed to lose the T20 semi,” said Gillespie, “but there’s still everything to play for in the next few weeks.
“We’re still in the 50-over comp and the Championship, and we’ll dust ourselves down and crack on.
“We can look back on the T20 campaign by and large with a lot of pride, considering the way that we started the tournament (Yorkshire won only one of their first seven games before winning six of the last seven to reach the knockout stages).
“It’s a tough one to take, losing the semi, but there’s still plenty to fight for in the next few weeks, and I know that the lads will bounce back strongly.”
Yorkshire came up against a world-class display from England pace bowler Mark Wood, who captured a T20 career-best 4-25 from four overs after Durham scored 156-6 in the second semi-final, Northants beating Nottinghamshire by eight runs in the first semi-final.
Wood twice took two wickets in three balls – including the key scalps of England batsmen Jonny Bairstow and Gary Ballance – after Ben Stokes had earlier top-scored with 56 on his return to the Durham side after a calf injury.
“Mark Wood bowled beautifully,” said Gillespie, with Wood following that performance with 1-25 in the final against Northants, who went on to take the trophy with a four-wicket win.
“We were going along quite nicely and then we lost two quick wickets (Bairstow and Ballance), and we didn’t quite recover from that.
“I certainly felt that it was a gettable total, especially with the strength and depth of our batting line-up, and we should have chased those down.
“We can look at all sorts of reasons as to why that didn’t happen, but the facts are that we didn’t get the runs and Durham played very well.”
With hindsight, Gillespie felt that Yorkshire might have made more of an effort to see off Wood, although that was clearly easier said than done.
The 26-year-old right-armer, who only recently returned to action after ankle surgery, was bowling at 90mph and he would have been a handful for any opposition.
“Maybe we just needed to soak up the pressure a little bit more and get through his (Wood’s) spell, knowing that he only had four of the 20 overs, and maybe there are some lessons to be learned there,” said Gillespie, whose side take on Surrey in the semi-finals of the Royal London Cup at Headingley on Sunday.
“We just weren’t able to win the key moments, and Wood took the wind out of our sails.
“Any cricket watcher could see that he was used very well by the captain; he was brought on to take wickets and put the pressure on us, which is exactly what happened.”
Yorkshire captain Alex Lees echoed Gillespie’s sentiments at the end of an encouraging T20 campaign for the club overall, with Yorkshire having only once previously reached Finals Day.
Lees hit the second-highest score of 22 on a day when Adam Lyth (64) led the Yorkshire chase.
“Woody tipped the scales, and when you twice get two wickets in one over, it certainly puts the opposition on the back foot,” said Lees.
“We’re bitterly disappointed, and I just think that we lacked somebody in the middle order to make a contribution.
“Overall, we had a good tournament after everyone had written us off after the first few games, and we showed strength of character to come back and qualify and reach Finals Day. That’s testament to the group of players that we have, and the lads’ work ethic and prep was second to none.”
Attention now returns to the Championship, with Yorkshire going into tomorrow’s game against Notts at Scarborough in second place in Division One, 26 points behind Middlesex with a game in hand.
Finals’ Day report: Page 9.

Yorkshire vow to hit back after T20 defeat


YORKSHIRE’s dream of winning the treble is over, but first team coach Jason Gillespie insisted that his players will come back fighting as they target the next best prize of a league and cup double.