Barnard Castle CC
Saltburn 2nd XI v
Barnard Castle 2nd XI
BARNARD Castle’s second team achieved promotion to the NYSD Division One after a momentous day of cricket.
It’s the first time they have ever reached such a level, and they have former Barney player Greg Upton – now turning out for Shildon Railway – to thank for playing a his part in their triumph.
In fact, they should build him a statue at Vere Road.
At the start of the afternoon, Barney had to win and better Rockcliffe Park’s points tally for the day by 11 points or more.
Barney were away to Saltburn, and Rockcliffe hosted Upton’s Shildon side at Hurworth.
Barney did their bit with aplomb.
The top order all contributed to a formidable total of 250-3, before they declared in the 43rd over.
The early declaration was a sign of intent in the knowledge that they needed to take all 10 wickets for 25 points, and pulling out early meant they had an extra six overs to bowl at Saltburn.
Ian Swinburn, as well as the Lee brothers, Simon and Dan, contributed the bulk of the runs with Swinburn contributing a top score of 73.
Meanwhile Rockcliffe had posted an impressive 268 against Shildon which looked to have put them firmly in the driving seat for promotion.
However, step up Greg Upton, opening the batting for Shildon.
He didn’t enjoy the greatest time with the bat during his stint at Barney, but he really showed his former club what he was capable of with the willow.
He made 125 off just 121 deliveries, a knock that included 17 boundaries on the lush outfield at Rockcliffe to lead his side to victory.
At Saltburn, Barney had the game in full control after snapping up the first wicket.
Ben Elliot and Chris Jackson had given the home side a solid start but then the ball was thrown to Peter Stanwix.
With his deceptive mix off a short run-up, he followed in the family footsteps of David and Michael Stanwix who led the club's attack for many years.
He took a miraculous 8-32 and scuttled through the whole Saltburn batting order.
Absolutely nobody had the answer to his bowling.
Barney took the final wicket in the 41st over and huddled around a phone to watch the final moments at Rockcliffe where Greg had begun to run out of partners.
Upton was then out in the 49th over, but he had dragged his side to within just five runs of victory.
When the winning runs were scored, there would have been a bigger cheer in both Barney and Saltburn than there was at the ground.
Second team captain Richard Stanwix said: “It’s such a great achievement. I’m really proud of this side and how far we’ve come in recent years. Division one will be a new challenge but we are ready for it.”
In a year where the side had already won The Hundred, the Readman Cup and went unbeaten at home in all competitions, promotion was the crowning glory of a most successful campaign.
Barnard Castle 2nd XI – 250-3 dec (I Swinburn 73, S Lee 57)
Saltburn 2nd XI – 155 all out (C Jackson 45, B Elliott 30)
Barnard Castle won by 95 runs
Barnard Castle 1st XI v
Saltburn 1st XI
IN a match that was very much secondary to the action down on the coast, Barney suffered a final day defeat to Saltburn at Vere Road.
Husnain Bukhari showed exactly what he is capable of with the bat and why his signature is so sought after in the region.
On a good batting pitch, he scored 118 off just 107 balls.
Joined by Lucas Parry, the pair put on 131 for the third wicket, and it was ultimately a partnership that took the game away from Barney.
Saltburn finished on 313-6 and it was always a score that was going to need an incredible effort to chase.
Many in the Barney batting lineup managed to make a start but could not go on to a greater total.
Five batsmen got to 20, but only Karl Carver made it past the half century mark.
In a season where they have won both the Kerridge Cup and The Hundred, a final league position of just sixth is a disappointment, but there are shoots of growth that look ready to blossom into success.
Saltburn 1st XI – 313-6 (H Bukhari 118, L Parry 66, F Usher 3-102)
Barnard Castle 1st XI – 196 all out (K Carver 54, L Parry 3-41)
Saltburn won by 117 runs
Sam Alexander
