Darlington and District Cricket League
IT was a chastening afternoon for Barningham, who could only muster ten men when they visited defending champions Haughton.
It was little surprise that Haughton asked their weakened opponents to bat first on an afternoon that promised showers.
And while five batsmen made it into double figures, none made more than Mark Thompson’s 19 as the innings subsided to 85 all out.
Mark Little led Haughton’s bowlers with 4-26 from ten overs.
Haughton openers Sam Bainbridge and Mark Dobinson were untroubled as they knocked the runs off in just 14 overs.
Raby Castle enjoyed a similarly one-sided win against Barton, whose early season struggles continue.
Joe Beadle picked up 4-17 and there were two apiece for Dan Lee and James Forster as Barton were bundled out for 76.
Lee then hit an unbeaten 42 as Raby made short work of the chase.
Cliffe will be kicking themselves for not following up the previous week's win against Barton by accounting for the early pacesetters Nunthorpe.
The Teessiders had been held to 150-6 from 40 overs despite Arif Ramzan’s 75, thanks to miserly spells by Ben Howe (3-26) and Jack Atkinson.
Cliffe had made steady progress to 103-3 when the wheels came off. Six wickets fell for just six runs and despite a late rally, the chase fell ten runs short with Dave Earle stranded on 18.
Jason Williams followed up his spell of 3-39 with an unbeaten half century as Aldbrough St John defeated Middleton St George.
The early damage was done by Tom Pickering and Chris Braithwaite, who shared the wickets as Middleton’s top six were sent back without any reaching double figures.
Joe (29) and Josh Binks (32) led the recovery before Williams nipped in to remove the tail and Middleton closed on 119.
At 37-3 Aldbrough could have faced problems, but Williams’ half century, which included nine boundaries and a six, and a patient 26 from Dave Mathias saw the side home.
Promoted Spennymoor are still searching for their first win of the season after they were bowled out for 100 against East Cowton.
Jack Bagley took 5-26 and Sam Helliar 4-21 to peg Spennymoor back after they made a decent start.
Martin Clark then held things together for Cowton with 46no as wickets tumbled around him. He found support from Bagley, who made 30 and was out just before the target was reached.
The game between Richmondshire IV and West Park RA was rained off.
In the B division, Catterick Village’s 103-8 was enough for victory against ten-man Middleton-in-Teesdale in a game reduced to 25 overs a side.
Tom Dent was the pick of Middleton’s bowlers, taking 3-16 in six overs.
Of the batsmen, only Ross Hutchinson with 27 looked comfortable as Middleton were bowled out for 59.
Elsewhere in the division, there were wins for Cliffe II, who knocked off Richmondshire V’s 139 and Oxbridge, whose 179-6 was too many for Cockerton, who closed on 162-7.
In the C division, Cockerton II had veteran Steve Lethbridge’s 93 to thank for carrying them to 194-6 against Etherley.
In reply Etherley had 60 on the board in quick time thanks to openers Greg Upton and Fan Watson.
Upton went on to make 71 and despite Thomas Webb’s 31, Etherley closed on 175-9.
Revitalised Lands, meanwhile, continue on their merry way, this week clocking up another win.
Keiran Brown took 3-25 and there were two wickets each for Robert Little and Craig Talbot as East Cowton were bowled out for 139.
Brown then hit 61 after Lands had lost three early wickets. This ensured a four wicket win which keeps Lands two points clear at the top of the table.
There is a dale derby in the B division cup tonight (Wednesday, May 15) when Raby Castle II take on Middleton-in-Teesdale.
In the C division cup, Etherley visit East Cowton II on Thursday night (May 16).
Stuart Laundy
