Barnard Castle march into final

NYSD Kerridge Cup Barnard Castle v Saltburn

Barnard Castle are one game away from retaining their Kerridge Cup crown after winning through to next month’s final.

Karl Carver’s team will face rivals Richmondshire in what’s sure to be a fiercely contested showdown at Hartlepool Cricket Club on Sunday, August 16.

Barney hammered Saltburn by 130 runs in Sunday’s semi-final at Vere Road with the visitors winning the toss and opting to field.

After James Clarkson fell for eight and Finn Usher was stumped for 18, James Quinn (90) and Karl Carver (81) came together at 61-2 and put on a whopping 115 runs for the third wicket.

Barney eventually reached 254-7, a total Saltburn never looked like chasing.

Visiting opener Ben Ainsley, who scored 66 not out, had the best view in the house as Suminda Lakshan ripped through the Saltburn batting line-up, taking his tally for the weekend to 11 wickets after claiming five the day before.

Eight batsmen were dismissed for single figures as Saltburn were bowled out for 124 in 33 overs with Sri Lankan all-rounder Lakshan finishing with a remarkable return of 6-12 from his eight overs while Finn

Usher took 3-25.

Barney 254-7 (40 overs) bt Saltburn 124 (33 overs) by 130 runs

Premier Division Marske v Barnard Castle

Barnard Castle took maximum points once again as they recorded an impressive victory over struggling Marske.

The Premier Division leaders faced the club propping up the table, who won the toss and chose to field.

Barney batted sensibly with opener Finn Usher compiling a patient 70 while James Quinn added 44.

Suminda Lakshan upped the tempo when he came in at No5, scoring 57 off 50 balls and Barney eventually reached 242-9 off their 50 overs with Jack Mains the pick of the Marske bowlers with 6-67.

Rob West and Tom Merryweather (2-17) made early inroads into the Marske batting before Reyan Nadeem and Rameez Nawaz came together and put on 97 for the fourth wicket.

But Jack Dalton caught Nawaz for 41 off Finn Usher and then Nadeem (58) became the first of Lakshan’s five scalps when he was bowled by the Sri Lankan.

From 135-3 in the 37th over, Marske were skittled for 150 in the 42nd as Lakshan finished with 5-23 off 9.5 overs and no fewer than four batters were out for a duck.

Richmondshire remain within touching distance of Barney after securing a five-wicket success at Middlesbrough. Barney host Bishop tomorrow (Saturday, 1pm) at Vere Road.

Barney 242-9 (50 overs) bt Marske 150 all out (41.5 overs) by 92 runs

Premier League Hundred Saltburn v Barnard Castle

Barnard Castle had a three-run win over Saltburn in a nail-biting quarter-final.

Batting first, Barney posted 118 after their 100 balls with Suminda Lakshan top scoring with 42 and captain Karl Carver contributing 35.

In reply, Saltburn put on 115 for six, thanks in large to a 52no by wicket-keeper Harry Wiles.

Barney will enjoy a home game in the semi-final against Middlesbrough, while Richmondshire will travel to Darlington for the other semi-final.

Barney 118-7 (100 balls) bt Marske 115-6 (100 balls) by 3 runs

Division One Barnard Castle II v Great Ayton

Barney Seconds’ struggles continue after losing heavily to Great Ayton.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, the home side could only manage 96 with opener Richard Stanwix (26), skipper Richard Watson (26) and tail-ender Tom Brooks (28) the only batters to reach double figures.

John Russell (4-30) and Thomas Leng (3-18) were the pick of the Great Ayton bowlers.

Leng then scored 50 not out as the visitors knocked off the runs inside 24 overs.

Barney Seconds 96 all out (38.5 overs) lost to Great Ayton 100-3 (23.3 overs) by 7 wickets

NYSD Division One Hundred Barnard Castle II v Richmondshire II

Adam Bainbridge took 5-16 off four overs as Barney Seconds beat Richmondshire Seconds by just four runs in the Division One Hundred.

Barney managed to doggedly defend their total of 121-7, restricting the visitors to 117-9 in a game that went to the final ball with the outcome still undecided.

Barney Seconds 121-7 (100 balls) bt Richmond Seconds 117-9 (100 balls) by 4 runs