Barnard Castle profit despite draw

NYSD Premier Division – Stockton v Barnard Castle

Barnard Castle extended their lead at the top of the Premier Division despite being held to a draw by Stockton.

That’s because second-placed Richmondshire were surprisingly beaten by struggling Saltburn. It turned out to be a disappointing weekend for Richmond, who were also beaten by Marton in the MacMillan Cup final on Sunday.

Barney were set a target of 184 at Grangefield where Joe Hewison (70) and brother Tom (79 not out) made vital contributions.

The visitors were missing several key players but Liam Carver stepped in to take 3-21 while Suminda Lakshan also claimed three wickets but at the expense of 66 runs from his 13 overs.

Barney opener James Clarkson scored a patient 48 before falling two runs shy of a deserved half century, and Karl Carver added the same number of runs.

However, from a strong position of 104-2, Barney slipped to 118-5. Deciding caution was the better part of valour, the visitors dropped anchor and held on for the draw. Jack Dalton scored 25 as he chewed up 68 balls and Liam Carver, brother of captain Karl, scored ten not out from 31 balls.

Barnard Castle go into tomorrow’s home game with Marton (Saturday, 1pm) 21 points better off than Richmond, who host third-placed Darlington RA.

Stockton 184 all out (42 overs) drew with Barney 173-7 (58 overs)

Sunday Conference North – Barnard Castle III v Northallerton III

Oscar Usher scored 44 not out off 38 balls as Barney Thirds totalled 180-9 against Northallerton Thirds at Vere Road.

His brother Ben added 29 while Jack Bailey chipped in with 31, but the contributions were in vain. Samim Saidi (52) scored a half-century as Northallerton knocked off the runs inside 33 overs to win by six wickets.

Barney Thirds 180-9 (40 overs) lost to Northallerton Thirds 183-4 (32.3 over) by 6 wickets

NYSD Women’s Hardball 100 – Great Ayton v Barnard Castle

Rosie Longstaff scored 42 and Libby Merryweather smashed 50 off 38 balls as Barney posted a total of 132-4 against Great Ayton, who never looked like chasing down their target.

Robyn Womack took 2-11 while Georgie Robson 1-4 off two overs and Emily Lawson 1-3.

Barney 132-4 (100 balls) bt Great Ayton 34-7 (52 balls) by 98 runs

Women’s T20 South Pool – Barnard Castle v Willington

Barney finished their T20 South Pool campaign with an impressive win over title winners Willington to maintain their unbeaten home record in the competition.

Willington won the toss and elected to field. Opener Lucy Hetherington got Barney off to a flying start and ended up scoring 83 off just 45 balls including 11 fours and a six.

There was a clatter of wickets as Willington threatened to nip the Barney innings in the bud, but Annabelle Tiplady (40 not out) and Clara Tudor (18 not out off nine balls) put on 33 for the sixth wicket to take the hosts’ score to 182-5.

Willington openers Caitlyn Taylorson (56 not out) and Lauren Reid (82 not out) carried their bats but were unable to chase down an impressive target.

It was a much deserved victory for Barney, who were narrowly beaten in their penultimate T20 South Pool fixture at Hartlepool.

In a game reduced to 15 overs per team, Pool posted 95-1 and Barney came close to chasing down the target, finishing on 91-6.

Barney 182-5 (20 overs) bt Willington 155-0 (20 overs) by 27 runs