Darlington and District Cricket League
A WIN at home against Cliffe on Saturday will seal the A division title for Haughton after the long time leaders trounced Barton last weekend.
Raby Castle remain poised to cash in should Haughton slip up after they enjoyed a similarly comprehensive win against third-placed Nunthorpe.
Former Lands CC skipper Mark Little enjoyed his best afternoon of the season with the ball for Haughton, taking 7-29 as Barton was rolled over for just 85.
Skipper Sam Brainbridge guided his side to an eight wicket win with an unbeaten 41.
Nunthorpe, whose season has fallen away in recent weeks, could only put nine men on the field at Raby Castle.
Batting first, it was no real surprise the were bundled out for just 81. Ryan Matthews was the pick of the bowlers, picking up 4-7.
Matt Dent blasted an unbeaten 55 to help Raby to a nine wicket win.
At the other end of the table, Cliffe can still survive the drop after victory against Richmondshire IV.
Andy Dade hit 77 for Richmond, but some tight bowling kept the scoring rate to a manageable four an over as the visitors closed on 168-6.
Cliffe owed their victory to two of the club’s veteran batsmen – Andrew Glover and Richard Mallender. Glover hit 42 in an opening stand of 81 with Mallender, who eventually perished for 72 with just seven required for victory.
Anth Coastworth and Kieran Ibberson both hit half centuries for Middleton-in-Teesdale as they set West Park RA a challenging 198 for victory.
However, the RA were up to the challenge, with Simon Raine compiling 74 and Chris McCable 60 as victory was reached for the loss of just three wickets and with three overs to spare.
Barningham’s season continues to peter out, with the side going down to a heavy defeat at home to Aldbrough St John.
Aldbrough’s Dan Smith batted beautifully in the face of some very average bowling to register a century as the visitors piled up 260-6.
Barningham were never really in the running despite a well made 62 from Scott Walker and 49 from Nick Wright, who perished one short of his half century in the final over of the day.
Barningham closed on 202-9, well short of the target.
At East Cowton, Middleton St George made 155 – not a huge total on such a small ground.
However, the hosts struggled after Dave Glew picked up three early wickets and were bowled out for 101.
In the B division, leaders Haughton II were handed 20 points when Barton II conceded the fixture.
Second placed Spennymoor kept up the pressure with a four wicket win against MSG II, who had been bowled out for 103.
In the division’s other matches, Richmondshire V’s 159-7 was too many for Cockerton, who were bowled out or 134 and Catterick Village knocked off Witton-le-Wear's 241-7 to take the points by seven wickets.
ON Sunday, it was third time lucky as the final of the Eggleston Cup between Haughton and Raby Castle finally went ahead after two wash-outs.
It wasn't to be for Raby, who were restricted to just 112-5 in 20 overs at Feethams, Haughton knocking the runs off for the loss of just one wicket with three overs to spare.
Mark Dobinson took 3-10 to help restrict Raby Castle, while skipper Sam Bainbridge hit a composed half century to see his side to victory.
