RABY Castle Under 13s played their first game in the Durham Cricket Board South West Division at Willington CC on Wednesday night.
In a very close fought game they lost on the last ball of the game Willington won the toss and asked Raby to bat first.
The innings started badly for Raby as they lost their first three wickets with only five runs on the board
Then a wonderful fourth wicket stand of 81 between William Poole (31) and Bertie Morris (25) got Raby to a respectable 95 for 5 after 20 overs
In reply Willington started well with E West (20) and H Coe (19) putting on 47 for the first wicket.
L Lawson then hit a quick 30 before the Raby bowlers took control taking three quick wickets
It all came down to the last over - Willington needing six runs to win and with man off the match William Poole bowling Raby were in a strong position.
Two runs off the first five balls left the hosts needing at least four runs off the final ball to win and E Hodgson duly obliged smashing the ball to the boundary for four, resulting in Raby losing by one run.
All the Raby team got a bowl with Finlay Kirkup 1-11, William Poole 1-12 and Reuben Gillhespy 1-10 the wicket takers
Joseph Kirkup was awarded the fielding award for a terrific throw to run out the Willington captain Lily West. Coach Scott Hedley said he was extremely proud of how the team had performed against a very strong Willington side.
He also thanked Willington CC for being such great host on Raby Castle CC’s debut match in the league.
The Raby Castle team were: Matthew Turnbull (captain) Finlay and Joseph Kirkup, Reilly Milner, Noah Hoyle, Samuel Haslam, Jake Spence, Bertie Morris (wicket keeper), Reuben Gillhespy and William and Beth Poole.
The team’s next game is at Raby on Wednesday, July 22, when Crook Cricket Club are the visitors.
The game starts at 6pm.
The Under 13s team are looking for a local business to sponsor them please contact Steve Caygill on 07708 220426.
