Darlington and District League
HAUGHTON put down an early marker that they mean business this season after defeating defending champions Raby Castle.
Dan Naisbitt was the star of the show for Haughton, picking up 6-55 as Raby were restricted to 128 in which Matt Dent scored 30 and Peter Forster 39.
Haughton’s reply was built on a substantial opening stand between Sam Bainbridge (51) and Mark Little, who made 36.
Dent picked up a couple of wickets and there was one apiece for Simon Lee, Dan Lee and Joe Beadle, but Haughton made it home by four wickets.
Two of Barningham’s young guns impressed in the side’s 32-run victory at Middleton-in-Teesdale.
Having struggled to 77-5, 17-year-old Gary Walker made an untroubled 75, timing the ball beautifully.
He found support in Paul Kearton, who made 27 as the pair put on 83 for the sixth wicket.
A late flurry by Adam Bellwood and Mark Thompson helped Barningham to 199-8 at the close.
In reply, Anth Coatsworth and Dave Watson got Middleton off to a good start before Carl Irving nipped in with a couple of wickets.
However, it wasn’t until Joe Blackburn, another 17-year-old, was introduced into the attack that Barningham took the upper hand. He picked up 3-23 in an accurate seven-over spell.
In the game between the two promoted teams, West Park RA comfortably overcame Cliffe, despite only posting 132.
West Park began in confident fashion, with 32 from opener Chris McCabe and Simon Gough, Ben Carvey and Andrew Gordon all getting starts.
However, Cliffe’s Alan Harwood turned the innings on its head with 7-25 in 7.4 overs.
Cliffe’s reply never got going, with half the side back dismissed for just 38 – two run-outs certainly didn’t help the cause.
Eventually, the innings closed at 95-9 in 40 overs, Gareth Percival picking up 3-23 and two wickets apiece for James Bramley and Antony Rawlings.
Jon Murray and Peter Frankland both hit half centuries as Barton closed on 211-5 against East Cowton, who were shot out for 136 in reply.
Danny Porritt and Andrew Ryan each claimed three wickets as Cowton were never in the hunt, despite Chris Martin’s 46.
Nunthorpe, who struggled last season, began confidently this time round with a 63-run win against Richmond IV.
Arif Ramzan (60no) and Kashif Mehmood (85no) starred for Nunthorpe after the early loss of four wickets.
Clive Layfield hit 38 and Julius Glasgow 44, but Richmond’s reply fell well short.
Aldbrough’s trip to Middleton was the only fixture to fall foul of the wet spring weather.
In the B division, Haughton’s Dave Edwards picked up 3-9 as Raby Castle II were shot out for just 66.
Aidan Reid scored 33 and Phil McMahon an unbeaten 21 as Haughton cruised to a nine-wicket win.
Catterick Village were bowled out for just 24, Spennymoor winning by nine wickets.
Cockerton’s 187-8 proved too many for Barton II, who closed on 130, Matty Collins claiming 6-38.
In the C division, Etherley’s game at Eryholme was called off due to the wet conditions.
