Cricket
Barnard Castle Cricket Club hosted their annual bands day on Saturday which meant there were no weekend fixtures for either the first or second team.
Hundred competition
James Quinn’s first team played their opening hundred fixture last Tuesday evening and beat Bishop Auckland convincingly by four wickets, with 16 balls to spare.
They limited a struggling Bishop side to just 112 as Josh Bousfield continued his strong form taking three wickets. Cameron McKnight took advantage of his opportunity with the ball and also collected three wickets.
In the chase, runs were spread throughout with Ian Swinburn, Eddie Barnes and Karl Carver all making solid contributions. This competition offers them a genuine chance of silverware.
Bishop Auckland 1st XI 112-8 (A Jones 45, J Bousfield 3-8). Barnard Castle 1st XI 113-6 (K Carver 33, A Jones 2-7). Barney won by four wickets.
Willington CC Women
Barnard Castle CC Women
Despite an economical bowling performance, Barney’s women’s side were unable to defeat Willington on Friday evening.
They restricted Willington to 111 but were only able to post 66.
Although Barney sit bottom of the table, this is a season where they are learning with future goals ahead.
The side is a great addition to the club and looks certain to prosper.
Willington 111-4 (M Graham 29, M Owens 2-13). Barnard Castle 68-7 (O Power 2-10). Willington won by 45 runs.
l Sunday’s fixture of Segefield 3rd XI against Barnard Castle 3rd XI in the Sunday Conference North was a victim of the weather and they were unable to get the match completed.
Sam Alexander
Darlington and District League
ANOTHER week and another A division fixture conceded. This time, Middleton Tyas handed the points to Aldbrough St John.
League officials allowed teams to move the start time forward from 1.30pm, subject to both sides’ agreement, to allow for the England football fixture. In the end, heavy showers meant only two games were completed in the top division.
Cockerton chalked up a rare win at home to Cliffe, where Dave Black’s 80 helped the hosts to 204-6 in their 40 overs. Cliffe’s reply never really took off as they lost both openers for ducks before Will Heathcote dug in for 44 in the only knock of note as the innings closed on 144.
Matty Collins was the pick of Cockerton’s bowlers with 7-40.
Elsewhere, it was another early finish for Barningham, who bowled out Witton-le-Wear for 66 before knocking off the runs for the loss of two wickets.
In the B division, nine-man Middleton-in-Teesdale defeated ten-man Eryholme II. Ben Wicling’s 4-24 helped Middleton restrict their hosts to 102 before 39 from Anth Coatsworth and Robert Whiting’s unbeaten 41 saw the side home by eight wickets.
In the other games, Barton knocked off Haughton II’s 123 for four down; Shildon Railway II squeaked home by three wickets after Cliffe II had posted 197; Catterick Village’s 250 was too many for East Cowton, who were bowled out for 146 and Cockerton II could only manage 127 in reply to Richmondshire V’s 233-4.
Middleton St George II conceded their fixture at Raby Castle II.
One of the best games of the afternoon was the C division clash between Etherley and Spennymoor.
Spennymoor skipper Cameron Dewey hit an unbeaten 96 out of 168-4 in a game restricted to 30-overs a side.
In reply, opener Tinu Geetha’s 74 laid the foundation for a four-wicket Etherley win with only nine balls remaining.
At Ingleton, King James were bowled out for 218 and then restricted Northallerton III to 99.
l In the Durham and North East League, Evenwood’s match at East Rainton was abandoned after just six overs. Evenwood will try again this Saturday with a home fixture against Murton CC.
Stuart Laundy
