Evenwood Cricket Club’s double delight

Durham & North East Cricket League Division Two Evenwood v Wearmouth & YAV

It was a weekend to remember for double-winners Evenwood.

On Saturday, they signed off their Division Two campaign with a thumping win worthy of the champions they are.

Overseas player Risira Lakvin Weerasuriya took 3-2 in just 17 balls while Luke Bannister finished with 2-20 as Wearmouth were bowled out for 145 in 38 overs. Weerasuriya (55) then scored an unbeaten half century and Thomas Teesdale hit 49 as Evenwood knocked off their target in just 12.5 overs.

The players were naturally delighted to finish their campaign in style and were all set to celebrate finishing top of Division Two at an end of season party that evening.

However, the rained-off Vinton Cup final was rescheduled for the following day, so they would have to take it easy knowing they had to be back out on the grass just a few hours later!

Wearmouth 145 all out (38 overs) lost to Evenwood 146-2 (12.5 overs) by 8 wickets

Vinton Trophy final Evenwood v Mainsforth

Evenwood completed a trophy double on Sunday.

The Vinton final, which was postponed because of bad weather, finally took place at Ryhope Cricket Club.

Evenwood won the toss and opted to field, restricting Mainsforth to 105-9 in their 20 overs. Morgan Teesdale took an impressive 4-13 while Adam Irving claimed 2-9 in his four overs and Thomas Teesdale was extremely economical, finishing with figures of 1-3 in four overs.

Evenwood knocked off the required runs with three overs to spare. Risira Lakvin Weerasuriya, who has really come to the fore in recent weeks, carried his bat, scoring an unbeaten 54.

Now the celebrations can truly begin!

Mainsforth 105-9 (20 overs) lost to Evenwood 110-4 (17 overs) by 6 wickets

Darlington & District Cricket League Division A Raby Castle v Haughton

Raby are the champions. They clinched the Division A crown despite losing to Haughton, the only team that could pip them to top spot.

Raby, who were top of the table ahead of the final game, knew they could afford to lose the game provided they picked up sufficient points.

The home side won the toss and elected to bowl and a few early dropped catches did little to ease the nerves in their ranks.

Finlay Kirkup and James Foster bowled an impressive spell but couldn’t make the breakthrough despite sharing the award for leading wicket takers in the league.

The change bowlers of Dan Lee, Mark Humble and Joe Beadle saw each take a wicket along with a spectacular run out by Joe Dent.

Haughton then made a strategic declaration to try and limit Raby’s ability to get the points they needed.

Raby were set 125 to win but as long as they reached 120 they would win the league.

Raby looked well set at 75-2 and then Dylan Gilchrist and James Foster got the score to 100-4.

Victory seemed inevitable but Haughton fought back before Arran Taylor scored the vital run that took Raby’s total to 120.

That guaranteed a third title in 10 years for Raby and the celebrations could begin.

Haughton 124-4 dec (26 overs) bt Raby Castle all out (34.4 overs) 122 all out by 2 runs

Aldbrough St John v Witton-le-Wear

Aldbrough recorded a comfortable win over Witton-le-Wear and finished their season fourth overall in Division A.

Matthew Brown scored 80 and Kieran Vickers 48 not out as the hosts scored 213-5. Charlie Beadle took 5-11 as Witton were skittled for just 91.

ASJ 213-5 (40 overs) bt Witton 91 all out (34 overs) by 122 runs

Barningham v Cockerton

Toby Newton scored 60 as Barningham ended their season with a comfortable win, though last year’s champions had to make do with a fifth-place finish.

Joe Blackburn chipped in with 35 and then took 5-35 as Cockerton were bowled out for just 73.

Carl Irving also made a big impact with the ball, finishing with figures of 4-38.

Barningham 165-8 (40 overs) bt Cockerton 73 all out (20.1 overs) by 92 runs

Cliffe v Spennymoor

Alistair Raper smashed exactly 100 off 55 balls and Will Heathcote (57) hit a half century as sixth-placed Cliffe posted a sizeable total against Spennymoor.

Alfie Spensley took 5-44 and Tony Butler claimed 4-33 as relegated Spenny were bowled out for 211, which wasn’t a bad effort considering four of their top five went for single figures.

Cliffe 307-9 (40 overs) bt Spenny 211 all out (36.4 overs) by 96 runs

Division B Catterick Village v Raby Castle II

Catterick 209-6 (32 overs, S McSherry 60) bt Raby Seconds 131 all out (32 overs, R Kirkup 59) by 78 runs

Etherley v Cliffe II – match cancelled

Middleton-in-Teesdale v Middleton St George II – Middleton-in-Teesdale conceded

Division C Spennymoor II v Aldbrough St John II

Spennymoor conceded

Sir Murrough Wilson Cup final Cliffe v Haughton

Cliffe came agonisingly close to finishing their season with a cup.

Haughton won the toss and decided to bat, scoring 132-8 with opener Craig Edwards top scoring with 48.

The wickets were shared between Callum Lethbridge (3-34), Dave Earle (2-16) and Will Heathcote (2-17).

Cliffe came within a whisker of chasing down their target, with Heathcote scoring 38 and Tom Barwick 30 not out but they were five runs shy of victory when they ran out of balls to face.

Haughton 132-8 (20 overs) bt Cliffe 128-8 (20 overs) by 4 runs.