GOOD FORM: Finn Usher
GOOD FORM: Finn Usher

Barnard Castle CC

IF the results were mixed the performances were top-notch. The dream of appearing at Lord’s – always unlikely for a small town club but which Barney have brought into the realms of the possible – ended for another year when they lost to York, former competition winners, to the last ball of a thrilling contest in the National Club Cup second round on Sunday.

On the other hand, they moved up to second in the NYSD Premier Division on Saturday with a convincing performance against Darlington which brought them victory by 148 runs. With a game in hand over top side Middlesbrough, the race for the title may have started in earnest.

The way Barney played in both matches seemed to mark a corner being turned after a dispiriting defeat to Richmondshire in the Macmillan Cup on Thursday. For the first time this season the side seemed to be performing without a misfiring cylinder or two. Most, if not all, the parts were well-honed.

Twenty-year-old opener Finn Usher scored his second century in consecutive league matches, the Indian batsman Samarth Seth at last found some form with his first hundred of the season against Darlington and all-rounder Karl Carver was again splendid on both days.

ECB National Club Cup

second round

York v Barney

A SMASHING game of cricket ended in a five wicket defeat for Barney when they failed to prevent York scoring off the last ball. It could have gone either way. Barney deserve utmost credit for ensuring the match went so deep when it looked as if York, leaders of the Yorkshire Premier League with six straight wins, might win with something to spare. But Barney will rue the missed chances – two catches and a stumping – which had they been taken could well have altered the course of events.

Still, it was a riveting match played in a wonderful spirit. Barney, asked to bat, made a solid start through the in-form Usher and captain James Quinn.

Only when Usher edged to slip and Seth was out third ball playing across the line did the innings stutter slightly. Quinn and Carver then put on 67 for the third wicket with Quinn growing in confidence.

Carver was again excellent, building his innings in an old-fashioned manner.

He found able and willing partners in Richard Borrowdale and Josh Bousfield who both selflessly injected the necessary pace with 31 from 23 balls and 17 from 11 balls respectively.

Carver finished unbeaten on a skilfully crafted 91 from 85 balls which included 12 fours and Barney’s 233 for 6 was probably slightly above par. Just how slightly above was soon put into perspective by opponents who are accustomed to winning.

The opening partnership immediately maintained the required rate. Barney made crucial breakthroughs in the 10th and 12th overs and had a catch offered by Ryan McKendry been taken at short third man shortly afterwards Barney would have been well on their way.

McKendry punished them by regularly finding gaps in the large field. On 42 he might have been stumped but the chance went begging.

With Guy Darwin joining McKendry it seemed that York might cruise home. It was an exemplary stand.

But Barney made it tough. Bousfield, excellent in his final spell, bowled a rare no ball which led to a free hit and four runs. Another catch went down.

Still Barney persevered and when McKendry holed out to deep extra cover and the new batsman was out lbw two balls later the game was alive again. York held their nerve – just – in the final over and with the scores level the final ball, a toe crunching yorker, went for four byes and York were home by five wickets after 80 highly captivating overs.

Barney 233 for 6 (40 overs, K Carver 91no, J Quinn 43, R Borrowdale 31, F Usher 28, J Bousfield 17, D Brent 3-43); York 237 for 5 (40 overs, R McKendry 84, G Darwin 61no, W Wade 26, L Kilby 23, T Merryweather 3-54, J Bousfield 1-49, F Usher 1-46)

York won by 5 wickets

NYSD Premier Division

Barney v Darlington

THIS was a crushing victory which took Barney to second in the Premier Division table. It was built on excellent hundreds from Finn Usher, his second in the league in succession, and Samarth Seth, who marked his return to form in some style.

An imposing total proved all too much for Darlington who were up against it after the loss of three early wickets. A fourth wicket partnership of 89 threatened a stirring revival but they then lost their last seven wickets for 31 as Barney’s spinners took full control.

Having been asked to bat, Barney galloped along on a typical home pitch – true and with some pace and carry. Captain James Quinn opened the batting with Usher and after a brief bedding in period the pair enjoyed themselves.

Quinn played a series of characteristic drives before surprisingly edging to slip, Usher hit the bad ball, defended the good with the air of a batter in prime form.

Seth entered under some pressure after a string of low scores – a total of 52 runs in his previous six innings – and applied himself with uncharacteristic diligence, making sure he knew the state of the pitch. He was then unstoppable and only once did his urge to dominate overcome him when he was slightly fortunate to escape as a mis- timed drive into the covers fell between fielders. But it was a wonderful display of his talents.

He hit the ball extremely hard and was merciless on any length, pulling off the front foot and then producing a crunching drive.

Usher reached a thoroughly deserved hundred, marking it with a six before being bowled on the charge having faced 137 balls. Seth’s explosive innings required only 77 balls and contained six sixes and nine fours.

Barney

F Usher b Burgess 107, J Quinn c Sutton b Saad 31, S Seth not out 109,R Borrowdale st Baldwin b Burgess 14, K Carver c Saad b Burgess 0, J Bousfield not out 7, Extras 8 Total (48 overs) 276 for 4 dec

Bowling: M Saad 14-1-66-1, O King 3-0-28-0, C Marshall 13-1-72-0, L Burgess 12-0-71-2, L Coates 6-0-36-0

Darlington

J Sutton c Martin b Bousfield 0, N Wright c Borrowdale b Dixon 0, L Coates c Bousfield b Usher 45, M Saad c Usher b Dixon 0, L Burgess c&b West 38, L Hutton c Borrowdale b Carver 5, A Peacock lbw Carver 1, A Baldwin not out 0, T Lush b Carver 0, C Marshall lbw Carver 13, O King c Carver b Usher 13, Extras 22, Total 128 all out (35 overs)

Bowling: J Bousfield 6-2-25-1, R Dixon 8-3-23-2, T Merryweather 4-1-10-0, R West 5-1-24-1, F Usher 3-2-12-2

Barney won by 148 runs

Macmillan Cup second round

Richmondshire v Barney

BARNEY capitulated before a rampant Richmondshire. It was a tame defence of the Macmillan Cup which they had won last year and eventually led to the National Club Twenty20 Final.

Richmondshire came out slugging with Tom Dowson playing brutally. They reached 70 after six overs and then Barney’s old nemesis Gary Pratt took charge, drilling the ball through the covers and making 91 from 58 balls.

The hunt for the runs – 219 of them from 20 overs – never really began. The rate was always too high and Richmond’s bowlers found lengths that eluded Barney. Finn Usher played a defiant hand and though there was a some defiance at the end the margin was deservedly huge.

Richmondshire 218 for 4 (20 overs, G Pratt 95, T Dowson 41, J Bousfield 2-27); Barney 151 for 7 (20 overs, F Usher 59, R Watson 28, J Quinn 20, T Brooks 4-14)

Richmondshire won by 67 runs

NYSD Division 2

Barney II v Stokesley II

A MATCH which might have gone either way ended in a draw with Stokesley nine runs from victory and two wickets from defeat. It means that Barney, once flying high, have now fallen to ninth in division two.

There were runs for several of Barney’s batsmen with captain Richard Stanwix, out agonisingly short of his first 50 of the season. Max Bailey and Ian Swinburn, spring and autumn, put on 88 for Barney’s first wicket. Veteran David Stanwix, Barney’s all-time leading wicket taker, was pressed into service after a two year gap but despite three valiant spells failed to add to his tally as nephew Peter bagged three.

Barney 213 all out (45.5 overs, R Stanwix 45, I Swinburn 36, M Bailey 28, O Usher 26, A Goodwin 3-55); Stokesley 215 for 8 (54 overs, R Hill 71no, O Gilbank 35, H Atkinson 31, C McKnight 3-40, P Stanwix 3-50).

Match drawn

Readman Cup quarter final

Northallerton v Barney II

A NAILBITING cup tie finished with the scores level and Northallerton winning by virtue of losing fewer wickets.

It was entertaining fare with Adam Bainbridge (50 from 34 balls with four fours and three sixes) aided and abetted by Ralph Makepeace (41 from 26 balls, four fours) leading Barney’s charge. Northallerton always had the target in sight with Joe Clarkson opening and, despite a late alarm or two, sneaked home.

Barney 147 for 8 (20 overs, A Bainbridge 50, R Makepeace 41, J Clarkson 3-14); Northallerton 147-5 (20 overs, Joe Clarkson 61, Jed Clarkson 30no, D Watson 2-10)

Northallerton won on fewer wickets lost

NYACC West

Darlington U13s v

Barney U13s

BARNEY narrowly held off a spirited challenge from Darlington in an exciting finish at Feethams. Rory Metcalfe was top scorer with a diligent innings and Oscar Dickson and George Swinbank making jaunty contributions. Ten players bowled and Barney clinched victory with run outs off the last two balls as Darlington went for victory.

Barney 90 for 3 (20 overs, R Metcalf 19no. G Swinbank 17no); Darlington 86 for 8 (20 overs, J Glenton 25, O Dickson 2-7, J Rutherford 2-13).

Barney won by four runs

NYACC West

Darlington RA U11s v

Barney U11s

BARNEY continued their splendid start to the season with a victory at Darlington RA. Toby Rutherford, out twice, still had a net score of 20, while George Swinbank, Rory Metcalfe and Charlie Bennett all helped out. RA wickets fell regularly with George Swinbank returning the excellent figures of 5-1 whole Charlie Bennett and Tom Wilson both had 3-2.

Barney won by 169 runs (Under U11 rules, both teams start with a score of 200 which can then be increased or reduced depending on wickets lost).

Darlington and

District Cricket League

LANDS CC’s impressive return to the A division continued on Saturday with a nail-biting eight-run win against Cockerton.

Skipper Craig Talbot led by example, top scoring with 39 and then taking three wickets as his side defended a below par total of 122.

The Lands innings had subsided badly with the last five wickets lost for just 24 runs.

In reply, five Cockerton batsmen made double figures but the Lands bowlers kept chipping away and the last four wickets fell for just two runs. Cockerton were also hampered by only fielding ten players.

The win lifted Lands up to third in the table.

Elsewhere, Barningham’s woes with the bat continued, this time against local rivals Raby Castle.

Had it not been for 21 extras, Barningham would have fallen well short of three figures.

As it was, 24 from Paul English was top score in a total of just 101. Mark Humble was the pick of the Raby bowlers with 5-23.

The small total was never likely to trouble the in form Dent brothers and so it proved as Matt and Joe put on 97 for the first wicket before Joe was dismissed for 47 with victory in sight.

Eryholme continue to hold their own after promotion last season. This time, they defeated Middleton St George, who were held to 154 as Charlie Howie and Ashley Birks each claimed four wickets.

Simon Warne’s half century and 37 from Michael Beaumont saw Eryholme home with just an over to spare.

Haughton continue to set the pace, however, this week hammering a below strength Aldbrough St John by eight wickets.

ASJ were bowled out for just 87 as Shaun Gale claimed four wickets and Joe Caygill bagged three.

Chris Coatsworth hit 46 as Haughton eased home in the 16th over.

In the division’s other match, Cliffe smashed 331-6 against bottom club East Cowton, who were bowled out for 105.

In the B division, James Wood took five wickets for just three runs as Aldbrough St John II were sent back for 57 against Middleton-in-Teesdale. Aldbrough’s Charles Holt hit back with three wickets but Middleton cruised home by six wickets.

William Poole, captain of Raby Castle's U13 team, impressed for the second XI, top scoring with 35 out of his side's 124 against Barton.

Poole also picked up a wicket, but Barton won by seven wickets, Dan Howell hitting 36no.

Other B division results: Cliffe II 127, Middleton Tyas 131-2; Spennymoor 149, Richmondshire V 108; Witton-le-Wear 132, Oxbridge 135-2.

In the C division, Etherley were involved in a high scoring game against Cockerton II.

Jon Joe Bolton (74) and Kevin Hazell (63) helped Etherley to 201, with Graeme Stansfield taking 5-38

Stansfield then followed up with an unbeaten 114 and received excellent support from Joe Lucas, who hit 56 as Cockerton won by six wickets with overs to spare.

Northallerton III, who are blooding their juniors, were all out for 72. Opponents Middleton St George II cruised home by eight wickets.

Durham and North-East League Division 2

Peterlee 138

Evenwood 142-1

AN excellent performance by Evenwood’s bowlers set up the win after Peterlee had won the toss and elected to bat.

Rhys Peairs and Regan Goundry each took three wickets and there were two apiece for Kieran Petch and Jamie Abbott as the visitors finished at least 100 runs short of a competitive total on a good surface and quick outfield.

When it came to the reply, Luke Bannister and Sri Lankan pro Sawan Kankanange showed how it was done.

Sawan hit an unbeaten 76 off just 47 balls, with a good number of runs coming via a series of sumptuous extra cover drives off both front and back foot.

Bannister continued his recent run of good form to finished 50 not out as the target was reached in just 26 overs for the loss of one wicket.

The win saw Evenwood move up to second in division two, ahead of Peterlee and 15 points behind leaders Mainsforth.