Darlington and District Cricket League
A Division Cup final
Raby Castle 77-8
Haughton 78-4
IT was a low scoring affair in this year’s cup final at Darlington CC’s Feethams ground.
Haughton won the toss and elected to field, and the decision proved to be a good one as the Raby batsmen struggled for momentum.
After five tight overs, Mark Dobinson struck twice in the sixth to remove Peter Forster for 12 and Matt Dent for a duck. Simon Lee held things together at the top of the innings as Andre West (13) and Joe Dent (19) attempted to up the scoring rate.
However, both were removed by young Jack Riley, as was Lee for 17.
Riley turned in man-of-the-match winning figures of 5-16 from his five overs as Raby closed on 77-8 – well below par.
Opener Sam Bainbridge led Haughton’s reply with 35 and although Lee picked up 3-9 from 3.5 overs, there was never really any doubt as to the destination of the cup.
Danny McGuire chipped in with 14 and Dobinson 13 as Haughton hit the winning runs in the 18th over.
This week, the B and C division cup finals are due to take place.
Cliffe and Middleton-in-Teesdale were due to play the semi-final as the Mercury went to press on Monday for the right to meet Haughton II in Wednesday’s final at Darlington RA.
The C Division cup will see Lands square up to Middleton Tyas at Barton CC on Thursday night.
