Cricket
Hundreds Finals
Barnard Castle completed The Hundred trophy double on Sunday, with both first and second teams winning their respective division’s final, witnessed by a strong travelling crowd. The 2nd XI beat Shildon BR, before the firsts were victorious over Stockton a few hours later.
It was a tight contest against a Stockton side who completed the league double over them this season. To the surprise of no-one, Karl Carver top scored with 47 not out.
Carver’s ability to perform on the big occasion is unrivalled. He has executed individual brilliance at important moments since his arrival at the club. Barney posted 158-5 and then, to affirm Carver’s brilliance, he took two huge wickets (Lewis Beaumont and Tom Hewison). Two weeks ago, he made a century in the Kerridge Cup final.
Despite his contributions with bat and ball, it was far from straightforward. In the run chase, Stockton at times were marginally ahead, but couldn’t muster enough to get over the line.
Captain James Quinn said afterwards: “It’s been a tough season, but to achieve one of the targets we set, and get two trophies in the cabinet, is really pleasing, and we’ll aim to finish the league season really well.”
The seconds are unbeaten in this competition since its inception. Their winning run now stretches to an incredible 24 matches.
They have had a fantastic season, completing a cup double. They won the Readman Cup at the beginning month and are firmly in contention for promotion to NYSD division 1.
Adam Bainbridge won the man of the match award after a scintillating knock of 81 off 43 which included 13 boundaries. Jake Black stepped up with the ball to take the vital wickets of Stephen Forster and former Barney player, Greg Upton.
Shildon batsman Loyd Horner suffered a distressing knee injury at the crease and the match was delayed while he was attended to. He is wished a speedy recovery.
This was a day to live long in the club’s memory.
Barnard Castle 1st XI 158-5 (K Carver not out 47, E Barnes 39, B Babascure 2-30). Stockton 1st XI 150-5 (T Hewison 49, L Beaumont 27, K Carver 2-14). Barney won by 8 runs.
Barnard Castle 2nd XI 161-7 (A Bainbridge 81, D Lee 27, D Nelson 4-18). Shildon BR 1st XI 137-6 (J Dinger 58, L Horner, J Black 2-12). Barney won by 24 runs.
NYSD Premier Division
Barnard Castle 1st XI
Stockton 1st XI
ON Saturday, Barney’s dismal league form continued with a five-wicket defeat at home to Stockton. They played Joe Hewison’s side twice over the weekend, and though they won the one they most desired, their league position is a huge concern.
They sit fourth bottom in the table, but have two games in hand and a 33-point lead over Darlington in the relegation position. It’s a big differential at this stage, but it’s not where they expected to be.
Saturday encapsulated the summer: they put on a respectable 214, but were unable to make breakthroughs with the ball, and Stockton comfortably won in the 42nd over.
Barnard Castle 1st XI 214 all out (E Barnes 56, A Hickey 4-58). Stockton 1st XI (L Beaumont 71, R West 2-45). Stockton won by 5 wickets.
Rockcliffe Park 1st XI
Barnard Castle 2nd XI
Barney’s promotion hopes took a knock when they were unable to chase down Rockcliffe’s mammoth total of 305, but they batted out for a draw which meant Rockcliffe were only able to gain 11 points on them.
Second placed Barney are 31 points ahead of Rockcliffe, but the Hurworth-based side have a match in hand.
Rizwan Ullah batted brilliantly for the home side, with 125 off 109 balls and Barney had no real answer. They knew they needed a draw and Max Riley-Fox stepped up. He’ll score more exciting 44s, but he used up 111 balls – enough to limit the home side’s points.
Rockcliffe Park 1st XI 305-9 ( R Ullah 125, J Mensforth 3-62). Barnard Castle 2nd XI – 127-8 ( M Riley-Fox 44, D Maguire 3-16). Match Drawn
Richmondshire Champions
RICHMONDSHIRE Cricket Club became NYSD Premier League champions, with three games to play, after a dominating season that has seen them lose only one match.
They owe much to Shafiqullah Ghafari who has taken 60 league wickets at an average of 10.20.
Ghafari, alongside the batting prowess and incredible consistency of Gary Pratt, Robert Carr and Dan Hodgson, have led Richmond to the title without any doubts ever being in the minds of supporters.
Hodgson has been sublime behind the stumps and as well as being a very competent fielding unit, they’ve made scoring look easy, regularly securing totals above 230.
SA
Darlington and District League
LEADERS Haughton received maximum points when, for the fourth time this season, their opponents conceded the fixture.
This time, it was Middleton Tyas who forfeited the game, meaning a third of Haughton’s 12 “wins” have come from concessions.
Elsewhere, Eryholme dismissed Cockerton for 49, knocking off the runs for two down, while Middleton St George lost six wickets in their successful pursuit of Witton-le-Wear’s 116 all out.
Aldbrough St John rattled up 246-3 thanks to another century from Mike Fleming, before restricting Oxbridge to 170-6.
In the B division, teenager William Poole’s 58 helped Raby Castle II to a five-wicket win against Haughton II, who had posted 203-6 in their 40 overs on the back of Shawn Ridgeway’s 67.
Oliver Welsby hit 55 as Middleton-in-Teesdale’s 163 was enough to see off Catterick Village, who were bowled out for 113. Robert Whiting and Emily Lawson both took three wickets.
In the other games, Barton bowled out Richmondshire V for 54 and ran out winners by eight wickets; Josh Moate made 60 of Eryholme IIs 205. Cockerton II were bowled out or 179 in reply and Middleton St George II knocked off the 182 posted by Shildon Railway II for the loss of four wickets.
Cliffe II conceded their game at East Cowton.
In the C division, Etherley’s bowlers sent back Northallerton III for 85 and the batters knocked the runs off for three down.
The two other scheduled games were not played. Barton conceded to Spennymoor and King James gave the game to Aldbrough St John II.
Durham and North East League
EVENWOOD CC were let down by a poor batting display in the division two encounter at Horden CC.
Skipper Rhys Peairs asked the hosts to bat first after winning the toss and would have been reasonably happy after restricting them to an all out total of 164.
A clutch of early wickets had Horden reeling at 28-4 before the middle order led the fightback, thanks to 30s from James Kemp and Lewis Broom.
For Evenwood, Thomas Teesdale’s opening spell helped him to figures of 3-15 from nine overs, while Adam Martindale made short work of the tale, picking up 4-29. Unfortunately for Evenwood’s reply, only two batsmen made it to double figures – opener Luke Bannister with 24 and skipper Peairs with 21 as the side was sent back for just 87 as Adam Dixon claimed five wickets.
Evenwood are in action on Saturday at home against Hylton.
SL
