Darlington and District Cricket League
RABY Castle and Barningham continued on their winning ways to keep the pressure up on A division leaders Haughton.
Raby made short work of their visit to East Cowton, bowling out their hosts for just 80.
Star of the show was Dan Lee, who picked up 5-39. James Forster chipped in with 2-21 while Ryan Matthews claimed 2-16.
Andrew West then clattered a quick 49 not out as Raby raced to victory by nine wickets.
Barningham put in a good display to take the points at West Park RA.
On a difficult pitch offering plenty of assistance to the bowlers, only Rohan Sivajoti prospered for the hosts, who were put into bat by Barningham skipper Dan Swires.
Sivajoti made 56 out of his side’s 138-9 – the next highest score was James Bramley’s 14.
For Barningham, there were four wickets for Adam Bellwood and two apiece for Jake Black and Joe Blackburn, while Peter Stanwix bowled an excellent opening spell of 1-21 from his ten overs.
In reply, Stuart Laundy and Scott Walker capitalised on anything loose as they put on 73 for the first wicket in the face of some spirited bowling.
Laundy chipped one to mid-wicket when on 30, but Walker completed a half century as Barningham cruised home by seven wickets.
Haughton are still out in front thanks to a seven wicket win against Richmondshire IV, who were bowled out for 98.
At the other end of the table, both Middleton-in-Teesdale and Cliffe continue the search for that elusive first win.
At Middleton, John Fletcher’s unbeaten 75 helped the hosts to challenging 212-6 and after Middleton St George’s Dave Glew had picked up three early wickets with his slow left arm.
However, opener Joe Lincoln’s 96 laid the foundations for a fine run chase which saw MSG home by three wickets with an over-and-a-half to spare.
Ross Hutchinson was the pick of Middleton’s bowlers with 2-23.
Will Heathcote’s 94 helped Cliffe to a decent 191-7 against Nunthorpe, but nothing could have prepared the side for what followed.
Shazah Rashid whacked an unbeaten 120, which included 13 boundaries and six maximums and Nunthorpe cruised home without losing a wicket in just 30 overs.
Fellow opener Arif Ramzan remained unbeaten on 55 – 48 of which came in boundaries.
Inconsistent Barton returned to winning ways against Aldbrough St John.
Andy Ryan’s recent good form with the bat continued as he hit 42 to help Barton to 162, Matthew Brown and Dave Mathias each taking three wickets for Aldbrough.
Opener Will Manners hit 35 in reply, but could find no-one to support him as Aldbrough were bowled out 18 runs short of their target.
Danny Porritt and Peter Frankland did most of the damage, with three wickets each.
In the B division, Raby Castle II were bowled out for 113 – Cockerton knocked them off for three down, while Richmondshire V were sent packing for 55 in reply to Witton-le-Wear’s 184.
Middleton St George II could only muster 66 against Catterick Village, who lost five wickets in the chase before taking the points.
In the C division, there were wins for Middleton Tyas and Cliffe II.
Tonight (Thursday) sees the quarter-finals of the A division knock-out cup.
Aldbrough St John will host East Cowton, while league leaders Haughton visit Middleton St George.
The dale is assured one semi-finalist, as Raby entertain Barningham and the final tie, West Park RA take on Barton.
