Barnard Castle CC
THE trophy cupboard will not remain empty in this bizarre season. It was left to Barney 2nd XI to ensure that the club’s remarkable run of success continued on Sunday.
They won the Readman Cup, the knockout competition for division two teams, with a display that encapsulated all the skills – batting, bowling, fielding and captaincy. Marton, who secured the division title the previous day, began as favourites. In the league match between the sides last month they had won by 151 runs.
But Barney were in commanding mode throughout on Sunday and deserved their victory by 30 runs. Given a solid start by the openers James Alderson and Owen Peddelty, fresh from his maiden 1st XI hundred the day before, they never relented.
Alderson especially was in superb fettle, driving wonderfully. Only when the pair were separated within three runs of each other did Marton perhaps sense an opening. But it was quickly closed by Adam Bainbridge in one of his no nonsense interventions. Assisted by Cameron McKnight he pulled and cut venomously, making 42 from 26 balls with four sixes.
Had he stayed Barney might have been over the hills and far away but a total of 157 for 6 from their 20 overs left Marton with a great deal to do. They had the worst possible start when their captain Ben Hutchinson edged the first ball of the innings behind. When Bainbridge had the prolific Liam Kennedy lbw the task turned from difficult to enormous.
With great determination, Luke Middlesmiss and Rory Cotterill hauled them back into the contest. A fourth wicket partnership of 48 in seven overs gave them some hope.
But Barney’s change bowlers were as effective as their early ones and with captain Richard Stanwix cutting off scoring channels, they had had to take risks. When Middlemiss charged down the pitch to Peter Stanwix, the bowler amended his intentions accordingly and had him stumped by Peddelty.
Although Tom Hustwitt and Matthew Connolly refused to perish wondering, the runs per over ration kept creeping up with Barney hurling themselves around in the outfield to cut off potential boundaries. When the pair were removed by the returning Adam Smith and Bainbridge respectively, that was as good as that. Bainbridge’s all-round performance earned him the man of the match award from umpires Frank Smith and Ted Woolnough.
Barney 157 for 6 (20 overs, A Bainbridge 42, J Alderson 35, C McKnight 23, J Gettings 2-18); Marton 127 for 8 (20 overs, L Middlemiss 36, T Hustwitt 25, R Cotterill 21, M Connolly 18, A Bainbridge 3-27, A Smith 2-21).
Barney won by 30 runs
Thornaby v Barney
NYSD Premier Division
THE match will be remembered for the hundreds scored by James Clarkson and Owen Peddelty, their first for the club 1st XI. Only two weeks earlier Peddelty had made his maiden hundred in a match for the 2nd XI.
Brought into the firsts as wicketkeeper in place of the absent Phil Merryweather, he was also asked to open the batting. Rising to the occasion magnificently, he was helped on a blameless pitch by the presence of the experienced James Clarkson.
Clarkson has been threatening something like this since the season started in July. In his first season with Barney, this former NYSD player of the year has been a tremendous asset and this characteristically well-appointed innings spanned 130m balls and included 12 fours and a six.
Peddelty played in his usual measured fashion and was not ruffled when he offered a chance behind. Their stand of 176 put Barney into an unassailable position, Peddelty reaching his landmark just before the innings closed, taking 144 balls with 11 fours. Finn Usher had some fun towards the end and all Barney had to do then was take opposition wickets.
The combination of the surface and opponents who were in no mind to chase the target and content to bat for the draw, frustrated them. Despite the early efforts of Rob Dixon they were able to take only five wickets, Shahid Khan scoring 62 from 104 balls and Steven Purcifer 33 from 78.
The result means that Barney will almost certainly finish out of the top three for the first time in five years.
They complete their programme in this shortened summer with a home match on Saturday against Great Ayton, starting at noon.
The victorious 2nd XI travel to Thornaby while the 3rd XI finish the season with a fixture at Stockton on Sunday.
Darlington and District League
Results
A division: Lands 110-8, Raby Castle 102-7; Middleton ST George 186-6, East Cowton 90; Cockerton 181-6, Barton 128-7; Haughton 143-7, Barningham 48; West Park 52, Aldbrough St John 53-0.
B Division: Witton le Wear 341-3, Cliffe II 103; Haughton 105, Eryholme 87; Aldbrough St John II 154-5, Middleton Tyas 139; Middleton-in-Teesdale 90, Spennymoor 92-6; Cockerton II 90-5, Richmond V 94-1.
