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Ian's hits 188 but Skipton CI just miss out on promotion
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| Ian Burke of Skipton CI hit the highest score in the club's history on Saturday. His innings of 188 included 34 fours and five sixes. |
A veteran opening batsman broke a club record when he scored 188 runs for Skipton Church Institute CC in their final game of the season last Saturday.
The 44-year-old Ian Burke, who lives in Skipton, broke a record that had stood at the club since the 1970s.
It was fitting for Burke to post the high score this season. Skipton CI is celebrating its 125th anniversary, having been founded in 1882.
Although Skipton CI posted their biggest score of the season, 298-5, on Saturday, and beat Oakworth's second team by 90 runs, it was not enough to secure them promotion to Division Two.
Unfortunately both champions Pendle Forest and runners-up Wilsden won their games to finish three points ahead of Skipton CI and secure promotion.
Former club secretary Peter Williamson said: "It's our 125th anniversary and promotion would have been icing on the cake.
Club captain Paul Mason said: "We were slightly disappointed but it was always in the hands of other results. We gave it our best shot but we had to hope someone else slipped up."
Mason added that the club have made some strides this season, after last year when they had to win to avoid relegation to Division Four.
But he pin-pointed their success this season to avoiding injuries, which decimated the team last year, and bringing in Peter Simpson, a qualified coach.
One of the injuries last year was to Burke, who played only five games after suffering a broken metatarsal when he was hit on the foot while batting.
It was a big loss for the club said Mason.
"As he showed on Saturday, Ian's a prolific run scorer."
Burke's innings included 34 fours and five sixes and was a good one for the spectators and his team-mates alike.
Mason said: "It was a joy to watch. He captured everyone's attention all the way through."
Burke's score could have actually been in the single digits but Oakworth dropped a catch early on and after that he made them pay for their mistake.
Burke, whose previous high this season was 71, said: "I haven't really thought much about it. As a batter you take the rough with the smooth. It was one of those days when you see the ball like a football."
3:45pm Thursday 20th September 2007
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