Darlington and District Cricket League
CLIFFE pulled off something of a surprise with a tense one wicket win against Barton.
Good bowling from Ben Howe and Jack Atkinson, who claimed seven wickets between them, along with skipper Richard Jameson nipping in with three held Barton to just 136.
Cliffe slumped to 13-3 before the recovery was led by Andrew Glover (43) and Chris Easby, who followed up his half century on the opening day of the season with 33.
However, Andy Ryan, taking 4-11 in his ten overs set up a nail-biting finish and it was left to Howe and Jameson to see Cliffe over the line.
There was another thriller at Aldbrough St John where the hosts set Haughton 179 for victory, with Matthew Brown hitting 55.
Danny McGuire orchestrated the Haughton reply with 60, but it was Adam Sams (19no) and Aman Ali (17no) who got the defending champions home with eight wickets down.
It was a much more straightforward affair for Barningham and Raby Castle whose unbeaten starts to the season continued.
At Barningham, Clive Layfield treated those present to a batting masterclass as he compiled an exemplary 122no in Richmondshire IV’s 202-4.
The hosts rushed to victory in just 25 overs for the loss of two wickets. Stuart Laundy hit 45, Scott Walker 55 and Gary Walker 52 not out while Ken Luck was unbeaten on 42.
James Forster took 5-40 as Raby Castle restricted Spennymoor to 136-9, who were thankful to Richard Templeton, coming in at number ten, for an unbeaten 40, plus 31 extras. Peter Forster then walloped 90 in double quick time as Raby knocked the runs off for just two down.
Nunthorpe continued their good start to the season with a comfortable win against West Park RA.
Arif Ramzan was unbeaten on 63 as Nunthorpe posted 185-5. James Bramley, with 3-22, was the pick of the RA bowlers.
Niall Ryan then ripped through the West Park top order, picking up 5-24 in his ten overs.
Keshif Mehmood grabbed 3-12 in three overs as West Park struggled to 89.
Chris Peacock’s 67 formed the backbone of Middleton St George's innings at East Cowton.
MSG closed on 197-8 from their 40 overs – Andy Whitfield’s 3-48 the best of Cowton’s bowlers.
Whitfield was one of three Cowton batsmen to get into the 30s but no-one went on to make the telling score as the reply closed 26 runs short.
In the B division, Raby Castle II were bowled out for 92 in just 20.3 overs against Barton II.
Skipper Rob Kirkup hit 25 and Chris Parker 28 as Ben Kearney took three wickets for just a single run (which was a wide) in only 2.3 overs.
Dave McAfee (43no) and Alex Percival (31no) suffered few alarms as Barton cruised to a ten wicket win.
Middleton-in-Teesdale are still looking to complete a game this season after their contest against Cliffe II was abandoned at tea after a heavy downpour hit the upper dale.
Cliffe had been bowled out for 150, Tom Dent taking 3-22 and Anth Coatsworth 4-12 in an innings that also included 29 wides and seven no balls.
In the division’s other games, Witton-le-Wear were bowled out for just 19 by Catterick Village who lost one wicket in the win, while Haughton II’s 154-8 was just too many for Oxbridge who were bowled out for 145.
In the C division, Eryholme batted their full 40 overs for just 71-7 against Lands, with Craig Talbot picking up 4-12 from eight overs.
Lands made short work over the total, Ryan Matthews hitting 31no as the target was reached inside 13 overs.
Etherley closed on 149-9 to set up a 41-run win against Aldbrough St John II, while life at Ingleton is certainly to King James’ liking as they defeated Cockerton II.
The visitors were bowled out for 105 and King James lost just one wicket in the chase.
The first round matches in the A division cup take place on Thursday evening (May 9).
Aldbrough host Barton, Barningham visit Cliffe, Raby Castle are at Middleton St George and East Cowton travel to Nunthorpe.
Durham Cricket League
EVENWOOD’S 2019 campaign got off to the worst possible start with a heavy home defeat at the hands of Dawdon.
With Pakistani pro Muhammad Yasin only due to arrive this week, it was a young looking side that took to the field after Evenwood won the toss and asked their opponents to bat.
Dawdon opener Steven Gale made Evenwood pay for giving him four lives as he went on to make 123 before he fell to Regan Goundry, while fellow opener Jamie Greenwood made 57 in a first wicket stand of 166.
Teenagers Regan Maughan and Regan Goundry bowled well and Thomas Teesdale picked up a couple of wickets as Dawdon closed on 232-4 in 45 overs.
In reply, it was all about Dawdon’s opening bowler Mark Ewart, who picked up 9-9 in 9.3 overs.
His pace proved too much to handle for the young Evenwood batsmen as only Billy Teesdale offered any kind of resistance, making 19 of his side's 63 all out.
Evenwood will hope for better this weekend.
First up on Saturday is a trip to Ryhope, while on Sunday they take on Tudhoe in the final of a 20/20 competition which was held over from last season.
