From the Middle: North Yorkshire & South Durham

Match Weekend 4 Review: Reviewing the North Yorkshire South Durham Results.

CREDIT: Graeme Smith @ North Yorkshire & South Durham Cricket League

National Club Championships

It was a tough day in the National for the NYSD, with four teams entering the first round proper, and only one progressing.

All had testing ties against clubs with a significant history of success.

Group 1

Richmondshire were the only team to progress, rounding off a more positive weekend with a thumping 8 wicket win against Wakefield Thornes. The visitors posted 211/8 in their 40 overs, via half-centuries from James Rhodes (53) and Jawad Akhtar (59*). The ever-consistent Shafi Ghafari picked up 3-56 and Thornes, ex-Yorkshire Champions themselves, will have felt in the game against the current holders.

Until, that is, a second wicket partnership of 144 between the evergreen Gray Pratt (90) and current NYSD Player of the Year Dan Hodgson (85*) saw the Dalesmen breeze through with 20 balls to spare. York at home on Bank Holiday Sunday in 10 days or so is the reward.

Darlington travelled to the consistently strong Chester-le-Street of the NEPL, who prevailed with ease. Liam Coates top scored with 30, but Liam Simpson picked up 5-27 in 7.1 overs and the Quakers never really found their footing in the game, controlled by the Chester attack. They made the hosts work until the 33^rd over for a 6-wicket win, with James Thompson (38) top score.

Chester now visit Woodlands CC of the Bradford League in the other Group 1 semifinal, offering up the possibility of a clash of two of the strongest teams in the Yorkshire Premier League Championships in recent times in the group final if results work that way – plenty of water to pass under various bridges before that may happen though.

Group 2

Norton lost out at Harrogate, 66 from William Bates the highlight of 182 all out in 39 overs for the North Yorkshire outfit. Kenzie Peakman appears to be over a niggle, he took 3-34, and Tom Cross continued an encouraging run of form in the first team with 3-32. James Minto made 30 up top on reply, but he was picked up by Ishan Abeysekara, a leggie with plenty of first-class experience. From 92/6 at just before halfway, Marc Symington hung around for 32, but Abeysekara ended with 4-18 and Norton were finished at 152.

Norton overcame Sheffield Collegiate on their own turf at this stage last year, and the academicals were handed a road trip to Barnard Castle this time round. Sheffield, having made a staggering 305/0 the previous day in the League to extinguish memories of being dismissed for 49 the previous week by Wakefield Thornes, posted 221/7 in 40 overs and won by 14 runs. Sadly, the card does not appear to be accessible via either the competition website or play-cricket live, but anecdotal evidence suggested Barney were profligate towards the end of their fielding stint and then couldn’t quite recover from the loss of wickets earlier than they would have like in the reply.

Check out all the comings & goings around the Premier Leagues HERE

Premier Division

All teams now have a win on the board, and only Marton are yet to taste defeat. Among a trio of clubs with three wins, they do not top the pile, that honour goes to last week’s leaders Stockton who regained their position after Saltburn overtook them in their extra game last Monday.

Stockton’s win could barely have been tighter, as they gained revenge for Monday’s Kerridge Cup reverse, winning by 5 runs at Norton. Adam Hickey made 30 opening, but Craig Symington was pressed into action with the ball and took 4-69, backed up by 3-16 in 9.5 overs from Jack Slatcher and Stockton were grateful to Spencer Nicholson for a rescue act from 109/7. Nicholson had made 48 when last out with the score at 184 from the penultimate ball. He then snared all the Norton top three at a cost of 33 runs in 6 overs. Joe Emmerson made 69 from 65 balls to put Norton right in the game, but wickets fell from 138/3 to 157/8, and it was back in the melting pot. With overs not a problem, the ninth pair were eking out the runs until a catastrophic mix up led to a run out and Leigh Beaumont (4-36) soon snapped up the final wicket prior to a hearty celebration.

Norton’s Gary Burgum “whips them off” to end Chris Hooker’s effort for Stockton [pic: Sport in Black and White via Facebook]

Middlesbrough’s third win of 2025 was a more comfortable affair at Kingsway. Matthew Bell made 63, Joe Gaudie 53 and Fez Hussain 32* in a card littered with double figure contributions, as Boro got to 279/9. Nathan Rimmington picked up 4-53 to continue good early season returns. Brandon Lusk is another in sublime nick and he made 63, but Harry Williams (4-42) ripped out the rest of the top order and Bishop were dismissed for 180, Dan Legge adding 40 down the order.

Sam Berry took 6-27 in 10.1 overs to run through Saltburn for a mere 107 at the Parkway with only Gareth Shaw (33) making a notable contribution. Lee Hodgson (38) and pro Mohammed Irfan (46) had led Marton to a seemingly modest 180 all out (Husnain Bukhari 4-52) before Berry continued his consistent form of the last few seasons.

Stokesley’s Andrew Weighell – another in early-season nick – made 74, supported by 54 from Harry Atkinson, promoted from the 2s after heavy run scoring, and Harry Harding (32*), meaning that their final total was 237/9 in 50 overs. Karl Carver (5-55) and pro Shubham Sharma (3-75) bore the bulk of the Barney load. Whilst we mention players in form Barney’s Finn Usher has four half centuries from four League innings, Saturday’s 97 his best to take his tally to an even 300, though there may be a niggle that he hasn’t yet converted one into a ton. Barney weren’t complaining though, with Carver (66*) and Ed Barnes (32*) completing a 7 wicket win with 19 balls to spare.

Great Ayton picked up two excellent wins last weekend but were handed a heavy defeat when they visited Darlington RA. Callum Buckley was the kingpin of the RA innings, his 125 a maiden ton at Premier level. Supported in a partnership of 141 by Sachithra Serasinghe (51) and a breezy 21-ball 37 from Carl McGregor, RA made 253/9. There was 5-37 in 11 overs for Steve Pennock as his colleagues were treated more harshly. Matthew Brown (38) and pro Suminda Lakshan (35) got together for a while for Ayton, but Serasinghe (3-24), Ajmal Shahzad (3-39) and Doug Mulholland (3-43) combined to bowl RA to a second home win by 108 runs.

Richmondshire ended their early season drought with a win at home to Hartlepool. Skipper Rob Carr batted throughout the innings, run out from the final ball for 127. Dan Hodgson added 47 and the home total reached 253/7, which included 3-53 for Pool’s Max Jackson. Yash Vagadia made 58 and Harsha Vithana 66, but the trio of Josh Dowson (3-29), Harvey Websdale (3-45) and Shafi Ghafari (3-61) ensured the Champions were 56 runs to the good when victory was achieved.

Division One

Marske are the new leaders and, despite playing a game more than most others, their lead is currently 19 points, so not insignificant in that respect. They were the beneficiaries of yet another Guisborough batting calamity, 46 their lowest effort yet as Aussie Jay Vine collected 5-18 and Asim Akhtar (3-13). Since their opening day 179, Guisborough’s subsequent three innings have totalled 175 combined, so the 287 in 40 overs in the Kerridge will be a head-scratcher for the Fountains Garth faithful. Vine had earlier made 33 and Raf Rashid jr 44 in Marske’s 163 all out, the spin of Charlie Pierson (4-30) and skipper Martin Philpot (4-51) to the fore whilst the Priorymen still held out hope of a win.

Bedale recorded a third win with a big chase at Normanby Hall. Jordan Leech (50), Dan Laverick (33), Dhanish Hussain (43) and a half-century of extras took Normanby to 262/9, with 3-50 in 11 overs from overseas Ben McCall the pick of the Bedale attack. The visiting top order did not fire for once, but they showed admirable depth through Paul Smirthwaite (48), Owen Kelly (30) and a match-winning 70* in 59 balls from keeper George Spink to win by 3 wickets with 16 balls in hand. Hussain added 3 wickets to his runs, but they cost 96 runs in his 12 overs.

Sedgefield had a street to spare over Thornaby at Station Road. The Stallions stampeded their way to a huge 171-run win having posted an imposing 281/6. That was built around the contributions of Matthew Lamb (81) and Ben Swindale, who took over the reins after Lamb’s dismissal and ended undefeated on 85. After the break Aussie amateur Hayden Wrigglesworth announced himself to the NYSD after a couple of quiet games with 5-33 in 10 overs. Noman Ashfaq made 32 and Dan Crosland 30, with precious little else in Thornaby’s 110 all out.

Wolviston collected a welcome first win at Seaton Carew with another big chase. Liam Gough (31), Jack Stonehouse (35) and Danny Thomas (45*) all added to 83 from opener Matt Skirving as Seaton posted 247/7, presumably enough given the Wolves’ early season form. Though Skirving was the day’s only half centurion and he then added 4-75, the visitors took a 4-wicket win thanks to the efforts of Bibin Mohammed (40), Saeed Sarfraz (42), Sai Mannem (48) and Pat Savarimuthu (36*).

As the two second teams in the Division – and the two promoted sides – went head-to-head, Barnard Castle enjoyed a 6-wicket success. Only u-17 Max Percival with 54 got to grips with the Barney bowling as Chris Dodson (4-32) made early inroads and Richard Watson (5-14) cleaned up. Whilst Richmondshire still made 184 all out, Watson (52) and u-16 Will Poole with 53 against his former club added 109 for the second wicket, before u-16 Jack Dalton took it home with an undefeated 31.

The only drawn game of the day came at Chiltons Avenue where two of the Division’s heavyweights met, but no one could land the knockout punch. Darlington clearly won on points, though they struggled in tough batting conditions. Promoted for this game, rather than bamboozling Division Four batters, Martin Cull’s unerring accuracy produced the superb figures of 15-7-13-4, and the Quakers were grateful to a 21-ball 41 from Jack Atkinson at number ten to get as far as 185/8. The visiting quartet of bowlers exercised control throughout, and it took 38 from Tonius Simon and 41* from Tom Wing to take Synners to 138/9. Liam Coates (3-30) and Freddie Lower (3-36) saw most success, but Wing and last man Cull survived 58 balls, with the skipper striking 4 boundaries towards the end to ensure that Billingham just reached the 75% required for some draw points.

The Darlington batter takes ball and bits of Billingham at Chiltons Avenue [pic: Mark Fletcher | MI News and Sport]

Division Two

After Saturday’s games, nine of the twelve sides have two wins from 4, the other three have one. On a high scoring Saturday in the Division, scores well in excess of 200 appeared to be the norm.

Northallerton’s 5-wicket win at Stockton got them off the mark for the year. Richard Waite (74), Saif Rehman (41) and Tom Gaffney (34) helped push the Swifties up to 244 all out in the 48^th over, the spin of Joe Clarkson claiming 5-57. Town’s Dan Luck (32) and Harry Bartlett (33) helped give the innings a base from which Christiaan Bourbon-Leftley was able to launch, remaining undefeated on 75 as the winning post was reached after 46 overs.

Shildon followed last week’s win with another as opening pair Greg Upton (51) and Cordie McKendry (79) made hay in the Saturday sun. Stephen Forster added 40 and the Railway made 262/8 dec in 44 overs at home to Norton. Adam Gittins made 89 in reply, Joe Haines added 40 and Callum Shields 30, but a couple of run outs didn’t help the cause and then Joe Knowles nipped in with 3-34 to see Norton 9 down. Tried extremely late, Forster grabbed the wicket of Gittins in the 55^th over at 212 with just his second ball, and the Shildon skipper was able to enjoy a self-congratulatory pat on the back for a well-timed declaration.

Middlesbrough’s win over Whitby also saw the sides score heavily. Rohan Vagadia (49) shared a three-figure opening stand for Boro with Aleem Ditta, who went on to make 102 with 11 fours and a maximum. A carefree 40* from Rory Cotterill took the hosts to 282/8, the Whitby wickets taken by Mark Jackson (5-81) and Kai Morris (3-51). The latter added 31 runs, Chris Knight 32, and Andrew Wood 43*, but Aatrayo Daw (4-48) and u-16 Samuel Stockton (3-51) bowled out the Seasiders for 226 in the 40^th.

Hartlepool were the day’s other winners after u-16 Patrick Curtis (3-26) and Madhukar Madasu (4-46) helped clean up the Marton innings for 183, despite early runs from Liam Kennedy (38) and u-15 Louis Veazey (35). Alan Tebbett (36), Ollie Mole (33) and Tom Gavin (64*) ensured a comfortable chase with 6 wickets and plenty of time to spare.

In the drawn games, leaders Saltburn’s imposing 258/6 (Chris Jackson 64, Brian Devine 71, Simon Bowes 44, Ian Patchett 3-77) was held by Redcar’s 219/8 – though at 123/8 the hosts will have been sniffing a clear victory. Michael Rix made 62* at number nine, receiving stoic support from Patchett in a near century stand made in 16.1 overs. Matthew Stokeld had kicked off the reply with 50. Harry Howell took 4-41 in 15 overs, but completed his spell in the very early stages of the rearguard and his colleagues could not find the magic required.

Rockliffe Park were held at Darlington having posted 265/8, a typically bullish 81 in 65 balls from Matthy Wheeler setting them on the way. Sam Bainbridge added 36* and reliable Dan Baldwin picked up 3-49. Luke Telford’s 12 overs produced an impressive 4-33 including both Steven Bell (83) and Tom Park Bradley (65) but the Qukers were comfortable enough at 238/8.

Division Three

Great Ayton’s Chris Layfield (4-37) and James Marshall (4-33) ensured that only Terence Smit (53) was able to make an impression with the bat for Newton Aycliffe at Leven Park. Danny Burns (68) led the reply, dismissed just before the end as Ayton eclipsed Aycliffe’s 168 all out by 6 wickets.

A match-winning maiden hundred from Guisborough’s Matthew Garbutt was the highlight in their 3-wicket win at Mandale Bottoms. Entering the fray two down with a single run on the board, Garbutt remained unbeaten on 105, well supported by Graham Murray (42*) as Guisborough overcame Thornaby’s 220 all out with 3 wickets to spare. Amir Muhktar made 109 in the first innings to boost Thornaby total, whilst Adam Burns (5-49) and u-15 Jack Gash (3-40) enjoyed the first half of their day.

Sedgefield picked up a convincing win at Yarm as David Budd (4-16) and George Hampson (4-32) kept the shackles on the hosts as they posted 144/9. There was little joy for the home attack either in the 25 overs it took to complete the game after the break, opening pair David Lamb (84*) and u17 Freddie Pratt (49) adding 124 for the solitary wicket to fall.

Hasan Razaq top scored with 44 of Normanby Hall’s 184 all out at Maltby, for whom Charlie Lythgoe (4-37) and Richard Stringer (3-53) were the leading bowlers. After the break, Joe Ramsay (6-36) and Sam Slater (3-33) did the business for ‘Hall, Maltby succumbing for 134.

Whitby remain bottom but will be encouraged and frustrated in equal measure by a winning draw over Stokesley, who lead the Division by 14 points, albeit with a game more played than most. Ricky Lawrence and Joe Crowther both made 58 as the Seasiders chalked up maximum batting points on 206/9. Ollie Gilbank’s 10 overs returned 5-42 for the visitors. Matthew Sharpe (4-32 in 10 overs) kept the free-scoring Stokesley in check, other than Cai Evans (77) who helped a rescue act from 64/6. When Evans was dismissed in the final over Whitby had 2 balls to claim the final wicket of the 9-player visitors, but 158/7 it remained.

Paul Griffith top scored with a breezy 38 in 24 balls for Blackhall at Rockliffe Park, as u16 Austen Torrison (5-50) heeded familial financial inducements form the sidelines to collect a maiden “Michelle”. Karthik Nataraj added 3-54 in 10 overs of spin and ‘Hall were all out in the final over for 203. Chris Lupton (43) and Michael Bean (39) worked hard to get Park into position with wickets in hand, but the hosts were unable to find any significant acceleration and the game petered out. Susheel Maddala captured 3-35 and Park finished on 166/6.

Division Four

Billingham and Skelton Castle lead the way with 4 wins each and both overwhelmed their opponents whilst on the road on Saturday.

Adam Greenwell hit a second consecutive century, his 111 taking only 91 balls as Synners racked up 248/5 dec at Marske. Greenwell then added 4-31, David Ward 3-34 and Haider Ramzan 3-30 as Marske capsized for 129, though u-16 Max Emsley did his best to keep them afloat with 47.

Marske’s Matthew Austin in action at home to Billingham [pic:Leigh Austin Photography]

Fellow u-16 Sam Malbon-Green is showing potential to be a cricketer with a future at a level higher than Division Four and he took just 79 balls to blast 148 with 26 fours and two sixes at a youthful Newton Aycliffe. U17 Jack Verrill partnered with 65 in a stand of 149. Credit to Aycliffe u-15 Tom Norman for taking 3-43 amongst the carnage, the innings called to a halt in the 28^th over when Malbon-Green fell with the score at 274/5. Matthew Lovell (4-15) and u-15 George Verrill (4-8) rushed out the hosts for 47.

Richard Roberts made 42 to help Maltby to 167 all out, Toby Gardner (3-37) and Sam Guy (4-41) the successful Northallerton bowlers. Safin Chacko then took 3-33 to lead the seven Maltby bowlers and they secured an 11-run win.

Mohammed Nazir batted through for 105* and Gav Buckley made 95 – sharing a stand of 199 – as Wolviston made 238/3 in 40 overs at home to Darlington RA. Shiraz Hussain (4-42) and u16 Isaac Gowland (4-14) then bowled out RA for 130, u16 Cody Hutton with 40 of those.

Bedale picked up a win at home to Yarm. James Trueman top scored with 50 from an even 200 all out. Yarm bowlers Ansh Garg (4-34) and u-17 Daksh Gaur (3-52) enjoyed their spells. U-15 Ben Croft then took 4-28 including 3 in 4 balls to wrap up the game, Bedale winners by 65 runs.

Bishop Auckland beat Preston in the day’s other game, but the scorecard is very much incomplete at the time of writing. It looks like young Alfie Blenkiron made another half century for Bishop though.

Sunday Cricket

Premier

With 9 teams in the Division, the table will have an odd look for most of the season. Norton have maximum points but, having only played two games, sit in fifth.

Champions Richmondshire were dealt a first defeat at Park Drive. Hartlepool made 191/7, with u16 Patrick Curtis continuing a good weekend with 63*. Andy Dade took 3-36, before Jack Chapman ripped the heart out of the Richmond batting with 4-21 and it took a last wicket stand of 38 to get them as far as 133 all out.

Asif Ramzan made 45 and Mohammed Tufail 50, but Shanwaz Hussain (4-34) and Kasim Akhtar (3-24) limited Wolviston to 155 all out. Opener Faisal Ghazan made 78 as Normanby Hall prevailed by 6 wickets at Armstrong Park.

It is looking like a tough Sunday campaign ahead for Redcar. 5-34 in 8 overs from Sandeep Domatti was a bright spot as they bowled out Darlington RA for 124. That was 86 more than Redcar could manage though, Anam Nasari (3-13) and Daniel Cooke (3-8) taking the opportunity to improve their averages in an innings that lasted only 14.1 overs.

Ryan Matthews (85) and u-15 Alfie Hodgkinson (48) led the way for Marton in an impressive 266/4 dec at home to Darlington. The visitors made 201/8 in the 42 overs they had, u17 Lewis Roper (74) and u14 Joey Hayman (52) with notable Quaker contributions. The Baldam boys, Charlie (3-28) and u-16 Henry (3-54) were the wicket takers in chief for Marton.

Northern Conference

It could be a keen contest in the North. Newcomers Northallerton kept up their 100% record with a 6-wicket home win over Hartlepool. Visiting skipper Rob Snowball continued his good form with 75 to lead his young charges to 172/6, with 3-29 for Town’s Jacob Clements, Opener Mark Kennedy remained unbeaten on 83 for the hosts as they bagged 20 points.

Stockton collected 5 more than that, despite u13 Alfie Blenkiron’s 46 allowing Bishop Auckland to post 168/8 at the Close Protection Security ground. After losing two early wickets in the reply, Stephen Ward (94*) and Matthew Everson (56) added 148 for the third wicket to essentially settle the game.

Billingham overcame Rockliffe Park in a tight affair. Luke Kenning took 4-29 amongst a quintet of bowlers as Park were dismissed for 131. Waheed Mughal then took 6-10 in 8 overs after the break to turn 60/1 into 91/7, but Ben Phillips batted through for 65* and Synners got home without further loss.

Jack Mensforth continued good early season form to make 114* for Barnard Castle at Yarm, having also made a hundred at the same venue last year. U17 Toby Gent added 51* as the pair partnered to produce 144* for the sixth wicket. A declaration was applied at 241/5. U17 Daksh Gaur had 3-29 in 7 creditable overs. Joe Long made 43* but Yarm were dismissed for an even 100, with 3-22 for u15 Joe Rutherford.

Thornaby enjoyed a first win of the season at home to Sedgefield. U-16 Ethan Frampton came alive with 50 for the visitors, but 5-20 from Atta Ur Rehman Naeem took care of the Stallions for 152. Thornaby were 6/3 and 18/4 but the experienced Liam Gowland made 74* to secure a 4-wicket win, Naeem helping the rescue with 30.

Southern Conference

Skelton Castle picked up a second victory to close the gap on top two Stokesley and Marske, who both failed to win. Ben Elliott (49) and Sam Morrison (44*) both made runs for neighbours Saltburn, but they were held to 164/8 in their full allocation. Castle only took 28 overs to chase down the target, u17 Tom Hodgson (48) and Daniel Belsham (49*) combining to break the back of the chase in a 6-wicket win.

Charlie Parker (67) and Jay Allison (60) made the bulk of Whitby’s 185/9 at Marske, for who Tom Bean took 3-50. Allison took 3-44 and Billy Blake 3-30 as Marske were undone for 146, despite 68 from Max Gray.

Jay Pinchbeck made 66 out of 209/5 for Guisborough at Maltby, then u-14 Cole Hood terrorised the home batting with 6-21 in 8 overs, 140 all out the result.

Free scoring league leaders Stokesley – once again with 9 only players – made 253 all out at Great Ayton, thanks to opening pair Craig Baptist (57) and Tom Kendrew (94), who shared a stand of 151. U15 Harry Wright made beneficial use of the gaps in the field to make 75 and Oliver Gubbins added 42* as Ayton finished on 186/7. There was 3-37 from 8 overs for Jacob Preece.

Andrew Taylor (87) and George Williams (55) shared a partnership of 136 as Middlesbrough made 233/5 at Marton. Jude Bezance took 3-34 for the hosts, who could only make 150/9 in response, as Aatrayo Daw took 4-21 from 8 overs.

NYACC Cricket – from your correspondent Kevin Moore.

Junior League Round Up – Week ending Sunday 11^th May

Some of this week’s highlights include the first full U13 league fixtures, a “local” derby in the opening game of the cup competitions decided by the barest of margins, four “5-fers” in the U11 League and the first junior girls’ softball festival.

JUNIOR GIRLS SOFTBALL FESTIVAL

The first Junior Girls Softball festival of the summer was played out in glorious Acklam Park sunshine on Sunday afternoon. Hosts Middlesbrough supported by a full female contingent (coaches, umpire and scorers) were joined by Skelton Castle, Whitby, Marton, Hartlepool and Richmondshire in nine games of cricket. Some superb performances from all who took part. Lots of 4s, some 6s, great catches and wickets entertained the spectators. Scorecards for all matches are available on the NYACC play cricket site.

Next Sunday (18^th May) Bedale host the next festival, and further festivals are planned in June at Sedgefield and Saltburn.

CUP COMPETITIONS 2025

The Ramage Cup (U11’s) started earlier than others this year and the opening game saw the Middlesbrough Panthers “host” the Middlesbrough Sharks. Three more debuts in hard ball cricket to add to the many of the previous week brought a mixture of cricketing experience to both teams.

The “visiting” Sharks elected to bat first and after a first ball wicket started to progress their total thanks to James Langstaff impressing with 10* in the first pair. In the middle overs wickets for debutant Imaad Ahmed (2-3) and for the second game running Mollie Anderton (2-15) took important wickets. At the last pair entered the total was 224 net, but a productive partnership from skipper Oliver Windross (14*) and Hasnain Ahmed (9*) took the total to a competitive 258.

Following tactics talk and half-time hydration the Panthers set about their reply. Regular wickets fell throughout the innings, Oliver Windross (3-2), Hunter Lancashire-Howlett (2-7) and James Langstaff (1-6) providing the bite to the Sharks bowling. This didn’t deter the final Panthers pair of captain Billy Gardner and Freddie Glover who roared back to take on the challenge set for them. 19 runs from the 14^th over brought the large crowd to the edge of their seats backed up by the sounds of the resident DJ (from the Boro junior section). A wicket from Rahim Zahman in the 15^th over left a challenging 17 runs required from the final. Undeterred Glover and Gardner took the over on and with 15 scored, it was victory for the Sharks by “the barest of margins” – just one run.

U13 LEAGUE

The U13 league kicked off in full this week, with several strong individual and team batting performances. In the West League Darlington RA posted 127-2 batting first against Bedale, Ryan Wake retiring undefeated on 30 and Jacob Lee making an unbeaten 33 to help establish the total. In reply Bedale scored 106-4 with Ben Smith retiring undefeated on 31.

Darlington, hosting Barnard Castle, scored 139-3 after being put into bat, Louie Heslop 31*, Mile Ferguson 30* and 29 from U11 James Binks contributed to a strong display. Barnard Castle fell 10 runs short, Matthew Thornton retiring undefeated on 30 in 129-6.

Rockliffe Park chased down Newton Aycliffe’s 119-6 to win by three wickets with a couple of balls to spare following contributions throughout the team, Jonah Harrop made 30 off just 18 balls for Newton Aycliffe.

Sedgefield restricted Richmondshire to 96-6 in the other game in the division Ethan Bowen with 31* and Sam Fudali 22, Samuel Lines taking 3-9. In reply, Michael Kavanagh 33* and Gideon Walsh 30* set the platform for a 9 wicket win for the hosts.

In the Central League Jack Liddell retired 33* as Hartlepool beat Seaton Carew, and Noah Aspinall made 30* for Billingham in a 42-run win against Norton.

Richmond Lightning hosted Thornaby and posted 113 all out batting first. Louis Morris retiring on 30 from just 15 balls. Muhammed Sharjeel returned the excellent analysis of 4-12 with the ball. Thornaby posted 99-8 in reply, Sebastian Strike top scoring with 20.

At Northallerton, Stockton made 93 all out, Oliver Gibbon top scoring with an unbeaten 30. Dan Bramma took 3-13 for the hosts. After the break good opening spells from Finlay Connor (2-6) and Zain Mustafa (1-8) saw Northallerton restricted to 7-3 in the early overs. But Bramma 24* and an unbeaten 30 retired from Charlie Barker set Northallerton on the road to a five-wicket win, Farley Doherty (2-8) with the further Stockton wickets.

Across in the East League Great Ayton hosted Saltburn, posted 124-0 batting first, Ross Grimbley and Frankie Russell both making retired 30s. Saltburn posted 95 all out in reply, Henry Meade also retiring on 30, Grimbley taking 3-3 to follow up his earlier runs.

Marton posted 130-2 against Maltby, Liam Champion and Jude Hodgkinson with retired 30s. Maltby posted 70-4 in reply, Joe Conti top scoring with 23.

A strong bowling and fielding performance saw Middlesbrough dismiss visitors Marske for 41 in 13 overs. A strong opening spell from Thomas Dunne (2-2) backed up by James Bligh (2-7) and Hilal Khan (2-8) supported by two outstanding catches from Jai Singh. Nine overs were used by the Boro batters to complete a nine-wicket win.

Skelton played Normanby Hall in the first of their home matches this week. Normanby 86 all out with Muhammed Khali Asif retiring 30*, Harry Dobson (3-8) and U10 Hayden Hogarth (2-4) the pick of the home bowlers. Skelton replied with 71 all out.

Later in the week Saltburn visited and having been asked to bat first posted 116-4, Henry Meade retiring on 30 for the second time in three days, Freddie Brown contributing 23. Harry Dobson opening the bowling and returning 2-8.

Dobson batting at 4 for Skelton made 14 including two sixes, but whilst regular wickets fell, at 58-5, up stepped number seven batter Daniel Hogbin to record a personal best 26 not out from just 25 deliveries including four boundaries, running the chase close, Skelton finishing just 13 short at 103 all out.

U15 LEAGUE

Four scores of 140 plus throughout the divisions in the Sunday morning sunshine this weekend.

Barnard Castle having been asked to bat posted 160-4 against Rockliffe Park at Vere Road. Leo Rokk registering back-to-back retired half centuries, 37 balls for 51* this week. Joe Rutherford contributing 43. After Oli Greves took early wickets (3-3) Rockliffe rallied to 97-7, thanks in the main to Xavier Lockey, also achieving back-to-back half centuries, 50* from 59 balls this week.

Richmondshire posted 154-4 against Northallerton, featuring 50* from opener Jack Ford, and a late innings 32* from U13 Sam Fudali off just 13 deliveries. Northallerton made 59-9 in reply.

Seaton Carew dismissed Newton Aycliffe for 68, featuring three top order wickets for Charlie Poor (3-9), Max Iveson, Harvey Lowe and George Meldrum all with two wickets each. Seaton lost six wickets in reaching victory, William Moffatt taking 3-20.

A third batter with back-to-back league fifties is Norton’s Oliver Jenkins, retiring unbeaten on 50 this week against Marton, Norton posting 103-2. Liam Champion 40* and Jude Hodgkinson 36* seeing Marton to victory by eight wickets.

Wolviston visited Stockton and posted 87-8 having been asked to bat first, Ben McGuire top scoring with 40, Deen Mohammed (3-13) Spencer Clarke (3-4) the pick of the home sides bowlers. Theo Davison retiring 50* as Stockton lost two wickets reaching the target.

Sedgefield batted first at Yarm, and put 150-4 on the scoreboard, Mason Watson 51* and Lucas Barton 46 sharing a century stand for the 4^th wicket. Louis Main top scored with 37 in Yarm’s reply of 97, Ben Simpson, Josh Bunting and Michael Kavanagh all picking up two wickets.

Into the East League and Skelton Castle posted 142-4 against Maltby, featuring 44* from Oliver Relph, and 44 from George Verrill. Maltby replied with 115-6, Jack Atkinson retiring with a half century to his name.

Great Ayton hosted Thornaby, who were hampered by three early run outs in posted a total of 66 all out, featuring a triple wicket maiden from Harrison McAllen (3-0) to finish the innings. Tegveer Singh top scoring with 20*. Ayton lost 4 wickets in reply, Matthew Collingwood struck 41, and Adam Fowler picked up 4-8 for Thornaby.

Guisborough posted 68 at home to Middlesbrough, Reuben Kay top scoring with 26, only being dismissed by a spectacular catch at mid-wicket by Bilal Khan. Two wickets each for Emmad Ahmed (2-5) and Ryan Kallungal (2-1). Boro lost five wickets in reply, Khan finishing the game with a brisk unbeaten 20.

Normanby Hall posted 114-6 at home to Marske, Muhammed Khalil Asif top scoring with 39, Oscar Metcalfe returning 3-17. Marske replied with 78-4 Theo Webb top scoring with 27.

U11 LEAGUE

This weekends U11 league fixtures saw the remarkable achievement of four five wicket performances from young bowlers.

In the East League, congratulations to Thornaby’s Aiza Sharjeel on taking 5-0 in 2 overs in Sunday’s League game at home to Guisborough. Seb Windross 41* and Frankie Garthwaite 30* scored well with the bat as Thornaby ran out winners. Guisborough’s Harry Blackwell hitting an excellent 23*.

At Acklam Park in the Central League, Boro Falcons George Arnold had a debut to remember, returned the impressive figures of 5-19 in 3 overs in his first match against Yarm, for whom Max Hollingsworth scored an unbeaten 18. Regular wickets from the Yarm bowlers saw them run out winners.

The West Division saw the other two stand out bowling performances. George Robinson turned in an outstanding all-round effort for Darlington RA U11’s as captain. Making an unbeaten 14 with the bat, then returning the outstanding figures of 6 wickets for just 3 runs in 3 overs.

In the lunchtime game at Acklam Park, Harry Best returned 5-13 in 3 overs for Barnard Castle. A strong performance saw them take regular wickets against the Boro Sharks and run out victorious.

Other notable performances included Hermione Mead scoring 26 for Sedgefield against Newton Aycliffe. For Newton Aycliffe Morgan Jones responded with an unbeaten 26, and Harvey Palmer an unbeaten 18 with only seven runs splitting the teams at stumps, Sedgefield narrowly claiming victory.

Gabriel Scanlan made 16 not out and returned 2-6 for Northallerton against Rockliffe Park, Rockliffe’s Samuel Hood returning 2-12 and then 17* in another good all-round display.

In the Central League Saltburn Thunder’s Max Walker scored 14*, and took 2-5 in a close game with Norton, Eva Palmer returning 2-6 in her debut outing as Thunder won by 18 runs.

Louie Schloz top scored for Billingham with 24 not out in a batting dominated game with Great Ayton’s Central League team.

Boro’s U11 squads have entertained spectators in every match to date, and the early Panthers fixture on Sunday with Normanby Hall proved no different. In a game full of runs and wickets for both sides, Panthers returned a net score of 228 batting first, Mitchell Jayakodi top scoring with an unbeaten 27. Leo Jennings returning 3-9 for the visitors. In reply, Muhammad Iqbal excelled for Normanby with an unbeaten 24. Oliver Wilson impressing with the ball for the Panthers taking 2 wickets for a single run. Further wickets went to Panther’s debutants Simon Hodgson (2-8) and Eddie Brooke (1-11), Normanby ending winners by 22 runs.

Saltburn hosted Marton in a game rearranged earlier in the week, Marton batting first and returning a net score of 237, George Youdale finishing with 2-5. In reply Max Durston took 4-20 to give the last Saltburn some runs to chase, but skipper Freddie Brown (19*) and Henry Meade (9*) to see the hosts home by 18 runs.

CREDIT: Graeme Smith @ North Yorkshire & South Durham Cricket League