Darlington and District Cricket League
RABY Castle head the A division despite not taking to the field on Saturday.
In a worrying sign, opponents West Park RA conceded the fixture two days before it was due to the played, handing Raby an automatic 20 points.
Barningham’s third win in a row – a rout of bottom club Catterick Village – moved them up to sixth. Jake Black hit 54 and there were 40s for openers Rob Stanwix and Chris Wearmouth in Barningham’s 267-8 in their 40 overs.
Stanwix followed up with 3-22 in a seven over burst and there were two wickets apiece for Robbie Walker and Sam Metcalf as Catterick struggled to 140 all out.
Cliffe eased to a comfortable seven wicket win against East Cowton, who were bowled out for 99.
Dan Naisbitt returned his best figures of the season so far, taking 4-31, and Dave Earle provided good support with 3-31.
Skipper Chris Easby found some form with the bat to finish unbeaten on 48 as he led his side to the target.
Aldbrough St John opener Matthew Brown hit a sparkling 117 off just 83 balls and Simon Weaver smashed an unbeaten 56 in a total of 276-5 against strugglers Cockerton, who reached 209-6 in reply thanks to half centuries from Simon Broughton and Josh Evans.
Danny McGuire’s 66 and 56 from Mark Dobinson took second placed Haughton to 203-8 against Middleton St George.
Chris Peacock’s 58 was a lone hand in MSG’s reply, which stumbled to 134 as Craig Edwards and Dobinson each took four wickets.
In the B division, Middleton-in-Teesdale were hampered by an early injury to Anth Coatsworth.
Middleton, playing Barton, could only manage 103-9, with Barton reaching the target for the loss of four wickets.
Lands continue to find life in the B division to their liking as they restricted Haughton II to 130-7.
Lewis Leng (56) and Andrew Elstob (43) then shared an opening partnership of 99 to set Lands on their way, and they cruised to a six wicket win with four overs to spare.
Mark Humble took 4-15 in his ten overs as Raby Castle II restricted Richmondshire V to 132-6, with Griffin Bewell’s patient 47no the high point of the batting.
Gareth Walton, opening the batting, was unbeaten on 56 as Raby reached the total for three wickets down.
Despite the loss of three early wickets, Eryholme still managed to post 210-9 against King James, thanks to a middle order recovery which saw Graeme Thompson and Josh Leggott hit half centuries.
This was too big a proposition for King James who were shot out for 85 thanks to David Evans’ 7-20 in 8.4 overs.
Spennymoor totalled 201-8 and that was more than enough against Oxbridge, whose innings ended on 120.
In the C Division, Chris Bennet was the pick of the Etherley bowlers with 3-38 as Middleton Tyas posted 197-8.
Etherley were in the hunt as Bennet and Oliver Johnson hit half centuries, but after they went, so did the side’s challenge and the innings closed on 162.
Raby Castle will take on Haughton in the A Division Cup final at Feethams on Wednesday, June 16.
Junior cricket
Raby Castle U13 v Hunwick
RABY maintained their unbeaten start to the season when they beat Hunwick by eight wickets in the RS Pratt Memorial Trophy series.
Hunwick won the toss and chose to bat on a lovely sunny evening, however, they were all out for 49 in the 12th over.
Top scorers were captain D Smith (22) and wicket keeper T Breen (11).
For Raby, Finlay Kirkup was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets for just two runs.
The Raby fielding was excellent with Ralph Hoskyns-Abrahall taking two catches and effecting a run out while keeper Bertie Morris chipped in with two stumpings.
The other wicket takers were William Poole (2-0) Harry Tellegen (1-2) Beth Poole (1-7) and Reuben Gillhespy (1-8)
In reply Raby knocked the runs off in the seventh over reaching 51 for the loss of just two wickets
Openers Bertie Morris (16) and William Poole (13) batted well and then Finlay Kirkup with 8no saw Raby over the line.
Man of the Match was Finlay Kirkup and Ralph Hoskyns-Abrahall deservedly took the Fielding Award.
Raby Castle start their league campaign on Wednesday night at home against Brandon and they have their final round robin match in the RS Pratt Memorial Trophy on Friday when they host Crook Town.
