Advantage Richmond as Barnard Castle suffer setback

NYSD Premier Division Richmondshire v Barnard Castle

Barney’s hopes of retaining the Premier Division trophy suffered a huge setback after they were beaten by Richmondshire last weekend.

The result means Barnard Castle have been replaced at the top of the table by their closest rivals with three fixtures remaining.

Just 10 points separate the sides at the top of the table but the Premier Division form guide very much favours Richmond, who have won four of their last five fixtures to take 100 points out of a possible 125.

By contrast, Barney have been inconsistent, winning only two of their last five in the league, losing two and drawing one to earn just 69 points.

All is not lost, of course, and two of Barney’s three remaining games are at home, whereas Richmond face two away trips, but there’s little room for error as the finish line comes into view.

A large crowd, including a contingent from Barnard Castle, attended the top-of-the-table clash with Richmond winning the toss and inserting the visitors.

Barney found it tough going and while four of the top five got starts, they failed to build on them.

Opener James Clarkson’s 26 off 82 balls showed how hard it was to score runs on a tough pitch against good bowling. Barney’s best partnership was 51 for the third wicket but once Clarkson and Karl Carver (21) were parted, there was a steady clatter of wickets as the visitors slid from 96-3 to 158 all out.

All-rounder Shubham Lakshan scored 36 but the tail certainly failed to wag with none of final six batsmen reaching double figures.

Lakshan was also among the wickets, taking 3-34, but Richmond knocked off the runs inside 42 overs to claim maximum points.

Barney 158 all out (48.2 overs) lost to Richmond 160-6 (41.4 overs) by 4 wickets.

Remaining Premier Division fixtures

Barney: August 29 Stokesley (h), September 5 Hartlepool (a), September 12 Darlington (h)

Richmond: August 29 Marton (a), September 5 Marske (h), September 12 Bishop Auckland (a)

Division One Barnard Castle II v Richmondshire II

All-rounder Joe Rutherford scored 63 not out off 62 balls from No7 to help Barney Thirds post 202-8 against Richmondshire Seconds at Vere Road.

Aussie Archer Byrne chipped in with 41 while Toby Gent (24) and keeper Rory Metcalf (28) also made important contributions down the order with the bat.

Unfortunately for the hosts, Barney couldn’t bowl the visitors out, although they came agonisingly close.

Richmond lost their eighth wicket in the 47th over, leaving Barney 22 balls to secure victory.

They could only grab the ninth scalp with the penultimate delivery of the match and the final ball was safely negotiated.

Barney Seconds 202-8 (50 overs) drew with Richmond Seconds 197-9 (50 overs).

Sunday Conference North Bishop Auckland III v Barnard Castle III

Opener Jack Bailey batted Barney Thirds to victory at Kingsway, scoring an unbeaten 72.

His patient knock included five fours and four sixes while Joe Rutherford chipped in with a run-a-ball 28. The bowlers can take credit for restricting Bishop Auckland to 162. Rutherford took 2-14 in eight overs while Matthew Thornton (3-39) and Finlay Kirkup (1-21) made vital early inroads.

Archer Byne finished with 2-29 and Barney sit third in the table, 10 points behind Thornaby and 52 behind runaway leaders Stockton.

Bishop Thirds 162 all out (39.3 overs) lost to Barney Thirds 163-8 (32.2 overs) by 2 wickets.

Women’s Hardball 100 semi-final Barnard Castle v Hartlepool

Barney have won through to the final of the Women’s Hardball 100 following a decisive victory over Hartlepool.

They will play Norton at Acklam Park, Middlesbrough, on Sunday, September 6 (2.30pm).

Against Pools, Barney lost the toss and were asked to bat, scoring 107 thanks in large part to opener Annabelle Tiplady’s 44 and an unbeaten 19 off 14 balls from Emily Greves.

Hartlepool found Barnard Castle’s bowlers too hot to handle. Tiplady (1-15) removed opener Polly Crawshaw for four and Emily Lawson claimed the next three to finish with figures of 3-12 while Emily Greves finished with 2-15.

Barney 107-4 (100 balls) bt Hartlepool 66-7 (100 balls) by 41 runs.