Cricket
Darlington and District Cec Leece Trophy final
BARNINGHAM produced a performance to be proud of to defeat league champions Haughton and lift the Darlington and District Cec Leece Trophy.
In an excellent final at Rockliffe Park, Barningham’s batsmen set up the victory by posting 195-3 in their 30 overs and some tight bowling ensured victory was achieved by ten runs.
Young Fergus Makepeace, coming in at three, produced a mature innings, hitting 77 off 91 balls with seven boundaries, to hold the Barningham innings together.
Then, in the final overs Gary Walker, on leave from the Navy, smashed 51 off just 23 balls. Forget Bazball – this was Gazball.
In reply, Joe Blackburn set the tone, removing the dangerous Danny McGuire and bowling his six overs unchanged to take 1-25 – quite an achievement on such an unforgiving surface.
Robbie Walker’s spell is also worthy of mention. As the game headed towards an exciting climax, his final two overs were an example of how to bowl at the death.
Haughton opener Chris Coatsworth mirrored Makepeace’s effort, batting through for an excellent unbeaten 88 and Shaun Gale’s 42 off 22 got the champions close.
But with 28 needed off the final over, and despite Gale’s best efforts, the task proved just beyond Haughton.
Skipper Jake Black received the trophy from long-time Eryholme CC stalwart Charlie Walker, son-in-law of the late Cec Leece.
Darlington and
District Cricket League
THE dale derby between Barningham and Lands turned into a one-sided affair.
Rob Stanwix’s century formed the basis of Barningham's 279-8, with Gary Walker contributing a half century.
In reply, Lands were blown away for just 29, unable to recover from Joe Blackburn’s opening burst of 3-3.
Champions Haughton suffered their first defeat of the season against second placed Middleton-St George, who restricted their opponents to 165-9.
In a close game, Middleton ran out victors by two wickets, Kevin Ashton top scoring with 57.
At the other end of the table, relegated East Cowton posted a useful looking 259-8 only to see Cockerton cruise home by five wickets with an over to spare.
Aldbrough St John ease any relegation fears by hammering off-colour Eryholme.
ASJ closed on 212-8, Oliver Stone top scoring with 49 and useful 30s coming from Simon Raw and veteran Dave Mathias.
Stone then followed up with 5-5 from his ten overs as Eryholme subsided to 30 all out.
Raby Castle won easily at Cliffe after posting 260-6. Matt Dent and Sean Hayes hit half centuries.
Sam Cull hit 120 in reply for Cliffe, but after fellow opener Ellis Besford fell for 28 with the score on 95, no-one could provide the support needed for Cull and the side closed on 209-9.
In the B division, Richmondshire V romped to victory against Raby Castle II thanks in the main to an unbeaten 161 from Joe White out of a score of 269-5.
In reply, young William Poole impressed, top scoring with 37, but Raby were never in the hunt and were bowled out for 128.
Middleton-in-Teesdale had a free day to enjoy the village carnival.
Elsewhere, Oxbridge knocked off the 198-9 posted by Aldbrough St John II; Barton were bowled out for 79 chasing Witton-le-Wear’s 112 and Spennymoor eased to a seven wicket win after restricting Cliffe II to 109.
In the C division, Etherley found runs hard to come by and closed 127-8 in the 40 overs. Opponents Cockerton II found batting easier and reached the target after 30 overs for the loss of just two wickets.
At Ingleton, King James enjoyed a good day, closing on 259-4 thanks to Ryan Mensforth's 125 and a half century for Dale Gorton. Barton II gave it a go and ended on 177.
