Barnard Castle Cricket Club
WITH the league programme wiped out by rain on Saturday, Barney were left to concentrate on cup action the following day.
They did so well enough to qualify for the semi-finals of the Kerridge knockout by completing a comprehensive win over Great Ayton.
After restricting their opponents to 150 all out by putting the squeeze on in the middle overs, Barney cantered to their target with almost eight overs to spare.
Captain James Quinn used his bowlers smartly and they responded by taking key wickets at important times. It was backed up by top-notch fielding.
The opening pair of Josh Bousfield and James Wainman had Ayton up against it at the start with some probing stuff around off stump which accounted for pro Chris Batchelor and captain Phil Holdsworth.
When Ayton briefly threatened to increase the rate, the spin pair of Giles Creedon and Finn Usher gave Barney back control. Crucially, they also both took wickets.
The innings was prevented from disintegration only by a well-ordered innings of 45 from opener Sam Moylan but when he was deceived by a change of pace from Creedon their horizons narrowed. The total was competitive if not quite challenging and Barney went about their task admirably.
With Creedon promoted to open with Wainman they rotated the strike well and took advantage of anything loose.
They put on a craftsmanlike 63 before both were caught behind during a fast spell from Joe Marsay.
But Hashan Dumindu and Quinn retained the initiative and were never troubled in an unbroken third wicket partnership of 71.
Barney will play Middlesbrough at home in the Kerridge semi-final next month with a real chance of winning the oldest cricket knockout tournament in the world for the third time in six years.
Great Ayton
S Moylan c Dixon b Creedon 45, C Batchelor c Roberts b Wainman 7, P Holdsworth c Dumindu b Bousfield 3, D Grainge b Dixon 11, I Pandey c Roberts b Wainman 23, H Sheldon lbw Creedon 3, A Liddle c Bousfield b Usher 11, M Croft c Wainman b Merryweather 19, J Grainge b Usher 3, J Marsay b Bousfield 15, M Philpot not out 1, Extras 9, Total 150 all out (38.3 overs)
Bowling J Bousfield 8-2-22-2, J Wainman 7-1-12-2, R Dixon 4-0-20-0, T Merryweather 3.3-0-25-1, G Creedon 8-037-2, F Usher 6-2-22-2, R Watson 2-0-7-0
Barney
J Wainman c J Grainge b Marsay 43, G Creedon c J Grainge b Marsay 21,H Dumindu not out 43, J Quinn not out 31, Extras 13, Total 151-2 (32.4 overs)
Bowling 8-0-24-0, J Marsay 8-0-30-0, C Batchelor 2-0-17-0, A Liddle 7-0-32-0, M Philpot 5.4-0-35-0, D Grainge 2-0-10-0
Barney won by 8 wickets
Hartlepool III v
Barnard Castle III
ALTHOUGH Barney’s young and inexperienced side fell to their fourth defeat of the season there were several highlights. Oscar Usher scored his maiden 50 at a run a ball, rescuing the innings from a potentially quick termination in breezy fashion with eight fours.
Hartlepool, led by Darren Peek’s half century, eventually worked their way to the target but not before being given some difficulties by Theo Truss and Johnny Burgess.
Barney 132 all out (35 overs, O Usher 53, J Toulson 18, M Jackson 3-9); Hartlepool 133-6 (29.5 overs, D Peek 63, J Burgess 2-15, T Truss 2-29, J Byers 2-29) Hartlepool won by 4 wickets
Fixtures
Friday, June 14: U17s XI v Seaton Carew U17s (Junior North Cup Final, 6pm).
Saturday, June 15: 1st XI v Richmondshire (A, 1pm); 2nd XI v Newton Aycliffe (A, 1pm)
Sunday, June 16: 3rd XI 100s group games v Darlington and Richmond. Matches at 1pm, 4.15pm, 6.30pm.
Darlington and District League
IN common with elsewhere, all fixtures fell victim to the weather on Saturday.
This weekend, leaders Haughton take on struggling Barton, who are in the unfamiliar position of being bottom of the A division.
Second placed Barningham are at home to Middleton-St George, while Raby Castle make the short journey to Piercebridge for their game against Cliffe.
In the B division, the clubs’ second team meet in the reverse fixture, while Middleton-in-Teesdale travel to Witton-le-Wear.
C Division leaders Lands are at home to Etherley while Ingleton-based King James are at East Cowton.
Durham Cricket League
EVENWOOD CC host fellow mid-tablers Hunwick at the Randolph Social Welfare ground on Saturday.
After the loss of two of their previous four games to the weather, and only two wins so far this season, Evenwood will be hoping for an improvement in both weather and form.
