Match Weekend 3 Review: Reviewing the North Yorkshire South Durham Results.
CREDIT: Graeme Smith @ North Yorkshire & South Durham Cricket League
It’s early days, but there doesn’t appear to be the levels of early-season dominance you might expect across the various NYSD levels, and only one team now has a 100% winning record across all five Saturday Divisions following the Bank Holiday weekend. May is a busy month, as ever, and perhaps we can start to identify the front-runners once June rears its head.
Cup tie season now gets into full swing now that the nights should be light enough to allow games to be completed and there will be NYSD action pretty much every day over the next couple of months.
Kerridge Cup
Bank Holiday Monday saw the start of the Kerridge Cup with two first round games.
Stockton entertained Norton in the first clash between the two first teams since their respective returns to the NYSD, and what a belter it was. Stockton, put in to bat, kept the scoreboard moving at a rate as the Wards – Kevin (68 from 51 balls) and James (60* from 33 balls) supported by up-tempo contributions from Joe Hewison (51) and Chris Hooker (44) took the hosts as far as 299/8 in 40 overs. There was 3-36 in 8 overs from u-17 James Minto in amongst the carnage. Amazingly, Norton chased it down, with their young stars to the fore. Minto batted through for 96* off 84 balls, but it was fellow u-17 Luke Symington who stole the show, blasting 109 from just 53 balls, with twelve fours and no fewer than eight maximums – some way to register your first NYSD ton (and first century at senior level) with no doubt more to follow. Joe Emmerson had time to chip in with 54 and Norton won by 4 wickets with 14 balls to spare. Spencer Nicholson claimed 3-56 for Stockton.
Kerridge Cup statisticians, please. Highest successful chase? Highest match aggregate?
In the day’s other game there were also runs aplenty, and Guisborough put recent batting horror shows well and truly behind them to post 287/3 at Bedale. This was built around two maiden centuries in first team cricket for Martin Philpot (117 from 106 balls) and Sam Spenceley (113* from 109 balls). The pair shared a stand of 245 for the third wicket before Philpot was dismissed in the final over.
The target proved too much for the hosts, though skipper Danial Rafiq smashed 71 from a mere 26 balls to open the reply, but Matt Fishburn picked up 3-48 and only Sam Owen (34) and George Nicholson (37) provided other significant contributions to a reply of 232/9.
Norton will host Saltburn in 3 weeks, whilst Guisborough will travel to Marske in the second round.
Premier Division
The 100% records have disappeared, and a mere 8 points covered the top seven clubs after Saturday’s action in a topsy-turvy start to the season. Had we posed the question “Who will be the only winless Premier Division side after three games and bottom of the table?,” few would have ventured “Richmondshire” as the correct answer.
Stockton took over at the top after Saturday – our third leaders in as many matchdays – handing Stokesley a first defeat of 2025. Overseas amateur Reyan Nadeem put in occasional spectacular performances in Division One at Guisborough in 2022/23 and he announced himself to the Premier Division with an undefeated 126 from 134 balls to drive the hosts to 248/6 at the Close Protection Security ground. With wickets shared around the 5-pronged Stockton attack it took 74 at number eight from Harry Harding to lift the visitors from 95/6 up to 216 all out in the 46th over.
Saltburn’s Jacob Midgley has had a fair bit of Premier Division experience over the last few seasons, but nothing has approached the spectacular performance the 20-year-old produced in Saturday’s hammering of Darlington RA. 4-68 from the reliable Matthew Pillans left the ‘Burn at a precarious 107/8 when Midgley joined Josh Chisholm at the crease. He struck 76 from just 57 balls in a 9th wicket stand of 120, and Chisholm went on to bat through for 63 in a Saltburn total of 256/9. Seamer Midgley then opened the bowling and claimed 5-43, with Liam Crooks adding 4-57, RA were cleaned up for just 117, only 31 from Callum Buckley holding up the Midgley show for any length of time.
Middlesbrough recorded a second win of the campaign, comfortably overhauling Norton’s 182 all out with 7 wickets in hand via an unbroken 4th wicket stand between pro Muhammad Basit (59*) and Rhys Ditta (61*). Norton’s top 4 of James Minto (32), Craig Symington (32), Luke Symington (39) and Joe Emmerson (33) all got good starts but failed to convert those into an innings-defining effort, the wickets of Abdaar Ishaq (5-54) and Harry Williams (4-50) ending the visitors innings in just the 42nd over.
The in-form Brandon Lusk (85), Callum Oldfield (40) and Dan Legge (43*) took Bishop Auckland to a handy looking 251 all out from the penultimate ball at Great Ayton, for who pro Suminda Lakshan captured 6-62 and Joe Marsay 3-82. Openers Tom Leng (59) and Jon Grainge (33) set a platform which allowed Lakshan (49*) and Zubair Khan (60* from 47 balls) to put a chalk in the win column for Ayton in the 45th over, Craig George bagged three of the four home wickets to fall at a cost of 52 in 11 overs.
Previous leaders Marton ended up hanging on Park Drive after Scott Borthwick starred for Hartlepool with 128 from 107 balls. Support from pro Harsha Vithana (47) and Kyle Davis (37*) carried Pool to 271/5 in 50 overs. Max Jackson (4-32) took two early wickets and two late, with a stand of 118 for the sixth wicket between Lee Hodgson (86) and Muhammad Irfan (66) sandwiched in between. The rest of the Marton card was a string of single-figure scores and the last pair had to survive the final over at 209/9.
Hartlepool’s Durham man Scott Borthwick celebrates reaching three figures on Saturday [pic: Mark Fletcher | MI News and Sport]
Barnard Castle will play Richmondshire for the Sam Alexander Cup, in memory of a committed Barney member who sadly passed away from Cystic Fibrosis recently. Raffles and auctions on the day have helped lift the total raised for the memorial fund up to £13,000. Barney were unable to claim the trophy in the inaugural game, but were only denied by a whisker, as Richmond’s last pair had to hang on for the final four overs to secure the draw and a share of the cup. James Clarkson (52) and the in-form Finn Usher (80) set the platform with an opening stand of 128 that allowed Karl Carver (75* from 49 balls) to accelerate the home effort to 294/6. Shafi Ghafari nabbed three victims, but they came at a cost of 81 in 15 overs. The Dalesmen were indebted to 113 from Mike Layfield, 106 added in conjunction with Dan Hodgson (39), but skipper Carver produced a player of the match performance with 5-48 in 15 overs to add to his runs, the hosts just unable to eke out that final wicket to round off a perfect day. The Dalesmen ended on 249/9.
On Monday there was a solitary fixture which will hand the table an unbalanced look until the middle of June. Great Ayton posted 203 all out at Saltburn. Once again openers Tom Leng (46) and Jon Grainge (47) set the platform and pro Suminda Lakshan (56) profited. Spin was to the fore in the Saltburn attack in the form of Ollie Stewart (3-51), Husnain Bukhari (3-57) and Harry Howell (3-20). Ben Ainsley kicked off the reply with 72, but there was little else, and Lakshan rounded off a successful weekend in spectacular style with 9-50 in 14.2 overs to bowl out Saltburn for 170 and a second win of the weekend. Saltburn are the fourth team to head the NYSD in 2025, with the eight points gained in defeat enough to lift them above Stockton. Maybe not for long, if this year’s trends continue.
Check out all the comings & goings around the Premier Leagues HERE
Division One
Billingham are three from three and head the Division after a 45-point return from a double weekend. On Saturday they visited Richmond and dismissed the hosts for 119 as Tom Wing (4-39) and Michael Bargewell-Cook (4-28) did the damage. Despite the loss of early wickets, Raj Atwaal (32*) and Michael Burgess (43*) saw Synners to a 7-wicket win.
Monday saw Billingham visit Wolviston, the “missing” game from Matchday 1. Burgess (33), Wing (45*) and Tonius Simon (57) contributed to 221/7. Wolviston were then blown away for 61 inside 15 overs as Wing (3-31) and Tom Harper (5-21) proved too quick for the home batters.
That made three defeats from three for Wolves after they also went down at home to Barnard Castle on Saturday. Barney’s daunting 271/5 revolved around u16 William Poole (79), fellow opener Ian Swinburn (58), Richie Watson (60*) and Jack Mensforth (40). 4-60 in 11 overs from Dayan Dissanayake was a fine effort in the circumstances. Poole would later take 3-30 and Watson 4-20 to ensure the Wolves could only make 152, 34 from opener Bibin Mohammed the best effort.
Barney’s weekend was mixed after a home defeat to Marske on Monday. Imran Quereshi (4-47) and John Mains (3-25) put a hole in the Barney line up before 35 from u15 Joe Rutherford down the order got the total to 131 by the time the final wicket fell. Quereshi was 64* as Marske won by 8 wickets.
That win improved Marske’s weekend after they lost out in a thriller at home to Normanby Hall on Saturday. Faran Ahmed’s 72 was the centrepiece of a total of 157 all out for the hosts, as Matthew Rose (3-37) and Shaf Rafiq (3-18) kept the scorers busy. Mains (3-24 in 15 overs) proved a handful once gain and Normanby were thankful to 43 from Dhanish Hussain but, when he was dismissed, last pair Rose and Alfie Street required 12 to win which, as nails were nibbled, they achieved.
Marske’s Jay Vine at the crease during Saturday’s game [pic: Leigh Austin Photography]
Thornaby topped the Division on Saturday night after they blew away Guisborough, who join Wolviston at the bottom with a gap developing to those above even at this early stage. Star of the day was seamer Luke Gettings who was irresistible in capturing 8-33 from 11.5 overs as the Priorymen folded for a second week in a row, this time for just 65. This in response to a target of 230/6, of which Danny Clark dominated with 143* from 122 balls, supported by 45 from Harvey Spaxman and rescuing Thornaby from a precarious early position of 20/4.
Surprise result of the day on Saturday came as Seaton Carew burst Bedale’s early season bubble in no uncertain terms. Matt Skirving (54), Liam Gough (38) and Danny Thomas took Seaton to 205/6. Skirving then took 6-32 and Aimal Wafa added 3-98 as Bedale were taken out for 167 after a late rally. James Kelly’s 38 was the only notable contribution.
Though Darlington’s Liam Burgess was once again in the wickets with a superb 7-51 in 15 overs, Matthew Lamb (66) and Luke Henderson (31) saw Segdefield reach 174 all out at Feethams. Ned Hamspon (3-55) took the first three home scalps, but Liam Coates (32) and Nathan Wright (40*) seemed to have the Quakers positioned at 92/3 until Grant Sowerby had an enjoyable Feethams return with 4-32 and Sedgefield ran out winners by 33 runs.
Division Two
Three teams entered the weekend with two wins, but none could add a third.
Shildon put two poor batting efforts behind them and took an unexpected victory at Rockliffe Park. Greg Upton (80) and Cordie McKendry (49) set the platform with an opening stand of 122 and, though Mark Swanwick (4-61) was once again among the wickets, Railway posted 248/7. Matty Wheeler (49 from 37) and youngster Xavier Lockey (51) got the Park reply off to a good start, but the BR bowling had an Antipodean flavour with Aussie amateur McKendry adding 5-60 to his runs, and the now settled Jacob Dinger claiming 3-58 to dismiss the hosts for 211.
Darlington’s Aaron Peverley hit a maiden century, an undefeated 121 helping to rescue his side after three early strikes from u16 Henry Baldam (3-71) left the Quakers reeling at 26/3. Peverley found support in u15 Syed Haque, who made an even 50, and the hosts were able to set Marton 281 all out to chase. The pursuit never got going and Dan Baldwin (4-40) led Darlington to a 144-run win.
Norton’s win over previously undefeated Stockton was equally emphatic. 4-15 in 7 overs from Tom Cross ripped out the heart of the Stockton batting, and it required 36 from Billy Shackleton to lift the visitors from 62/7 to 139 all out. Patrick Mitchell (41) and new signing Adam Gittins (43*) calmly saw Norton to an 8-wicket win.
Christiaan Bourbon-Leftley continues to impress, adding another 86 runs at home to Middlesbrough on Saturday. With Noah Wilson (46) and Jed Clarkson (55*) completing a strong middle, Northallerton posted 269 all out in the 49th over, which included 6-44 from Boro u16 Samuel Stockton. The visitors mounted a mighty impressive chase with Rohan Vagadia (61), Aleem Ditta (62) and Sam Harper (58*) leading them to a 6-wicket win. Northallerton are the only winless side in the Division so far.
Redcar’s home win over Hartlepool was built on the wickets of experienced opening pair Michael Rix (3-37) and Andrew Hunter (4-22). 131 all out was well short of the required mark and, whilst the best efforts of Ollie Mole (3-36) and Joe Stewart (3-32) made Redcar work, they still had 4 batters to come when the win was achieved.
Though Saltburn were the third of the three 100% teams who failed to win, they avoided defeat at neighbours Whitby and top the table as a result. It was tight, u17 Rhys Buck (63) and James Fawcett (36) than main contributors in 178 all out for the hosts, as Chris Jackson (4-17) and Joss Brown (3-45) featured with the ball for Saltburn. Given 54 overs to bat, Jackson opened with 40 and Simon Bowes added 54 until Fawcett (4-33) got to work, Bowes his 4th victim and the ninth out at 157 with 7.3 overs remaining. The final pair got past the 90% threshold and hung on at 167/9.
Division Three
Two wins, both over Thornaby, have propelled Stokesley to the top of the fourth tier, though they have now played four games rather than three like most.
At Broughton Road on Saturday, Elliott Stockdale (4-33) was among the wickets, but 48 from Amir Mukhtar helped Thornaby set 189/9. The home side’s Max Woodhouse (67*), Craig Baptist (49) and Tom Kendrew (64*) made short work of that target, triumphing by eight wickets after 27 overs.
On Monday at Mandale Bottoms it was a lower-scoring affair. Thornaby chose to bat for the second time in the weekend but were restricted to 150/7 with Joe Burniston (4-42) leading the visiting attack. Given a run out in the seconds to find form, Rob Foreman (54) and Sam Wilson (41) did the business after the break for a 5-wicket win.
Previous leaders Maltby visited Blackhall and were hit by the loss of early wickets. 52* from Anthony Newton pulled them round to 143/6 after 40 overs in seamer-friendly conditions. Archie Stevenson picked up 3-36 after the break, but 55* from Dylan Elliott – available until football duties kick back in – steered the ‘Hall to a 2-wicket win.
Yarm defeated Guisborough by 6 wickets at Fountains Garth. 80 from opener Will Cowey led the Priorymen to 184/7 as James Hewling collected 3-25 in 6 overs. Tom Payne (68) and Harry Wilson (55*) eased Yarm home in under 30 overs.
Newton Aycliffe collected a second win, 4-43 from Ramzan Hussain helping to dismiss Rockliffe Park for 138. 57* from opener Terence Smit took Aycliffe over the line by 5 wickets.
Amr Karim (56), Jordan Leech (50*) and Joe Ramsay (54) took Normanby Hall to a declaration on 231/4 at Cricket Lane on Saturday, visitors Whitby only able to reply with 163 all out, and that after a spirited last wicket stand of 49. Ramsay (4-38) and Martin Brown (3-35) were the successful bowlers as Normanby took a first win of the season.
On Monday Great Ayton picked up their first win, also at the expense of the Seasiders who have lost all four so far. John Russell (83), Hoshang Noria (48) and Henry Shelton (44) all tucked into the Whitby attack to record 237/4 in 40 overs at Leven Park. Chris Layfield (3-6) and Oliver Gubbins (3-5) ran through the Whitby batting, 169 runs the emphatic margin of victory.
Ayton’s Monday win followed a draw at Sedgefield on Saturday. Russell (66) and Danny Burns (61) were the scorers-in-chief this time as Ayton set 216/6. Ollie Johnson (74*) and Mason Lee (55) bolstered the home reply of 193/5.
Division Four
There was a full double programme in the lowest Division though, with an odd number of teams, the league table will be uneven for much of the year.
Previous leaders Skelton Castle lost their 100% record with defeat to Darlington RA on Monday. 3-44 from Sam I’Anson helped to limit Castle to 136 all out and, though RA were made to work, they won with 3 wickets to spare. The win represented revenge for RA who had gone down to the same opponents 48 hours earlier. U-17 Ben Malbon-Green (46), Matthew Lovell (49*) and u-15 George Verill (47) had set up 194/8 for Castle at Brinkburn Road, with the I’Anson boys – Ben (3-54) and Sam (3-43) – in business with the ball. U-14 Myles Price made 55 for RA but Malbon-Green (3-31) and Lovell (3-19) completed fine all-round games in a 43-run win.
Billingham won both of their games to take over leadership of the Division. Saturday’s 9-wicket win over Northallerton was routine after Haider Ramzan (5-14) and Martin Cull (with a remarkable 3-0 from 8 overs) skittled Northallerton for 58. Monday’s visitors Bishop Auckland bolstered their ranks with in-form Aussie Brandon Lusk, and he delivered with 101 from an even 200/9. Adam Greenwell collected 5-38 in 10 overs and then dominated the successful home chase, making 101* in a 4-wicket win achieved with 10 balls to spare.
Richmondshire also won both games to complete the trio of sides with three wins under their belts. Phil Stephenson (88*) and u-17 James Cox (44) were the only double-figure scores in 196/6 at home to Bedale, for whom u-17 James Pratt took3-36. Stephenson (4-11) and Michael Platt (4-18) blew away Bedale for 100 after the break. On Monday, Andy Dade (3-9) saw most success of a 5-pronged Richmond attack as Newton Aycliffe were dismissed for 92. Matthew Greaves replied with 3-6 but the Dalesmen ran out victors by 6 wickets.
Maltby were another side to collect two Ws over the Bank Holiday weekend. Charlie Henry made an even undefeated 100 – a maiden ton – at Marske on Monday and, despite 4-42 from Andrew Pollock, they set 225 all out as a target. Michael Roberts (3-49) and Phillip Thompson (3-31) took Maltby to a 64-run win. Thompson (3-10) and Matthew Kelly (3-20) featured in Saturday’s win over Newton Aycliffe, Amal Mohan then making 48 as the visitors target of 79 was overhauled with the minimum of fuss.
Bishop Auckland entertained Wolviston on Saturday and ran out winners by 38 runs. U-17 AJ Wild made 41 of 156 all out, with Jamroze Khan (3-17) and u-16 Isaac Gowland (3-15) featuring in the Wolves attack. Martyn Howe (4-29) and u-17 Dylan Smith (4-18) bowled Bishop to the win.
Preston drew both games over the weekend. At Northallerton on Monday. Waqas Khalid took 5 from the first 2 balls of the final over but could not get the strike back and remained unbeaten on 97 as Preston posted 205/3. Hasan Hussain took 3-31 as Town dug in for 103/7 in 40 overs.
On Saturday, Yarm were the hosts and Danny Brookes (53) top scored in 168/6, as u-13 Jake Dawson took 3-23 in 4 overs. Though Jawad Niazi took 4-33 after the break, Yarm doggedly hung on at 128/9, the final pair only having to survive 1 ball.
Sunday Divisions
Premier
Darlington played their first game of the season and thrashed Normanby Hall by 196 runs. Rashid Hassan took only 67 balls to make 90 as the Quakers pushed up to 244/7 in 40 overs. Kasim Akhtar took 3-40 in 8 overs for Normanby which was one of few highlights as their batters were blown away. U16 Alfie Spensley claimed a hat-trick in his first over en route to 4-16 and fellow opener u15 Syed Haque took 3-4 and Normanby were 21/7, ultimately reaching 48 before being dismissed.
Norton claimed the spoils over Hartlepool at Station Road having made 176/8 in their allocated overs. Nadeem Hanif then took 4-11 in 8 overs after the break and Norton claimed the final wicket with just two balls remaining and Pool 38 runs short.
Champions and leaders Richmondshire saw opener Jamie Stead blast a mammoth 181 which included 31 fours and two sixes in 128 balls. Alex Percival added 67* and the Dalesmen decided to use their full allocation in making 323/2. This limited the ambition of visitors Darlington RA who decided to ensure they didn’t lose wickets for much of their innings. Simon Warne batted though for 90* and Zamaroot Marofkhil added 58 as RA finished on 177/4.
Asif Ramzan (49), Tehseem Zubair (52) and Raf Rashid (42*) ensured Wolviston made 260/8 at Redcar, despite Santosh Reddy (3-42) and Sivakumar Kunda (3-54). Redcar’s response was 181/8 as Rohith Kante made 52 and Zubair added 3-27 to his half century.
Northern Conference
Northallerton and Rockliffe Park have both won all three games and are level on 65 points at the top. Mark Haw took 5-15 at Thornaby and Town bowled out the hosts for 77, before securing a routine 6-wicket win.
Park were made to work a little harder after Rob Snowball (40) and u16 Harry Wilson (60*) took Hartlepool to 164/5, u-14 Joe Brookes grabbing 3-29 along the way. Tom Ward’s 62* secured a 3-wicket win, u-14 Dihain Don claiming 3 of those wickets at a cost of 47.
Billingham leapfrogged Stockton after eclipsing the hosts 214/9, of which u16 Hayden Ward made 69. Joe Arnstrong (3-35) and Sam Dixon (3-41) found some success with the ball before the latter dominated the reply with 122 from 96 balls. U14 Zidan Mustafa took 3-43, but Synners had 4 wickets and 14 balls to spare when victory was achieved.
James Dowson (44) added a century stand with Joe Robinson who went on to complete an undefeated 101, adding a second century stand with u13 Alfie Blenkiron (51*) as Bishop Auckland declared on 223/1 after 31 overs. Jack Gallimore (3-19) and u17 Dylan Smith (4-16) rushed out an overpowered Yarm for 54.
U17 Freddie Pratt made 87 as Sedgefield posted 190 all out at home to Barnard Castle, for whom u-14 Leo Rokk (3-35) and Sam Barnard (3-14) enjoyed their spells. U15 pairing Oli Greves (53) and Joe Rutherford (46*) took a youthful Barney to within range at 181/8.
Southern Conference
Stokesley and Marske both have a full 75-point tally after three games. Stokesley are scoring at an alarming rate so far, and in 31 overs they blasted 274/4, courtesy of 156 in 101 balls (22 x 4, 7 x 6) from Tom Kendrew and 59 from u17 Rhuari Hill. A shellshocked Marton could only make 128, with 3-28 from Joe Burniston.
Marske were restricted to just 115 all out at Fountains Garth by Guisborough pair Jay Pinchbeck (3-21) and u-16 Jacob Yuill (5-25). Ryan Palmer then took 4-1 in 5 overs which saw the Guisborough innings collapse from 88/4 to 98 all out.
3-9 in 8 overs from Kieran Purvis helped Whitby restrict Great Ayton to 141/8 and then u-16 Jack Stentiford top scored with 46 in a six-wicket win for the Seasiders.
Charlie Lythgoe (3-32) was the pick of a Maltby attack as Saltburn made 171/7 in 40 overs and then Jacob Bailes (3-24) and Lewis Hart (3-3) bowled the hosts to a 48-run win.
U16 Sam Malbon-Green (68) and Daniel Belsham (58) starred as Skelton Castle made 210 all out at Acklam Park. There were wickets for Middlesbrough’s u-16 Seb Large (4-52) and Joey Snow (3-36). Boro’s response was 145/7, with Aatrayo Daw making 46 and Malbon-Green adding 4-31 to his runs.
NYACC Highlights
In 2025 we have begun the process of absorbing the NYACC youth cricket programme into the NYSD. The casual observer over the years often made the mistake that the administration of cricket at u15 level and below was under the NYSD umbrella since the clubs were the same, but the NYACC was an autonomous operation. A merger has now been agreed and 2025 is being used to iron out any operational wrinkles.
NYACC Fixture Secretary Kevin Moore has volunteered to provide a weekly roundup of highlights from the NYACC games, highlighting some notable performances.
Junior League – Sunday 4th May
Localised overnight rain didn’t have much of an effect on the first full weekend of the junior season, with all barring two of the scheduled fixtures starting.
U15 cricket
Eight batters retired with half centuries to their name on the opening day.
Harry Wright struck a quick fire 50 off 26 balls as Great Ayton surpassed Maltby’s score of 90-8 to win by 10 wickets. Charlie Tanfield earlier took 3-2 for Ayton who start with a win in the East League.
Into the Central League, and Layton Prosser retired undefeated on 53 as Hartlepool beat Stockton by 6 wickets with 4 overs in hand. Norton’s Oliver Jenkins was undefeated on 51 after taking 3-3 in victory against Wolviston. Liam Champion made 51 as Marton posted 95-5 and Yarm’s Samuel Creed took 2-17 and then scored an unbeaten 31 to help his team to a six-wicket win.
In the West Division, Barnard Castle choose to bat at home to Northallerton and scored 193-6, Oscar Dickson 51 and Leo Rokk 50, both retiring before the close of innings. Dougal Gaudie took 2-15 in 4 overs. Gaudie then made 38 and a quick fire 35 from Charlie Branham in Northallerton’s reply of 87-8.
The remaining games in the West League went down to the wire. Darlington, having been asked to bat first at Rockliffe Park, posted 137-2 featuring 51 from Joey Hayman. In reply, Xavier Lockey retired with an unbeaten 50, with 15 balls and left 27 runs still to get. Archie Strike stepped up to score 22 of those runs to see Rockliffe Park home off the last ball and himself end 42*.
In another tense finish at Hornby Park, Seaton Carew scored 114-7 against Richmondshire, Max Iveson top scoring with 40. Richmond u12 Louis Morris returning the best analysis of the day across all U15 divisions with 4-10. In reply Richmond were 73-7 with time running out, until a quick fire 35 from Ralph Hoskyns-Abrahal took them to within four runs when he was dismissed at the start of the last over. Last pair Morris and Fred Lamb saw Richmond to a one wicket win.
Back in the East League at a chilly Acklam Park, Zack Cuthbertson (23*) and Noah Welch (18*) played superbly together in an unbeaten stand of 47 to take Normanby Hall to 68-4 after early pressure from the Middlesbrough bowlers. Jai Singh followed up an economical spell of 1-13 with 38 as Boro won by 7 wickets.
Guisborough made 53 including 31 from Reuben Kay against Thornaby, for whom Rhys Crone took 4-13 and Ben Wright 3-9 as the hosts won by eight wickets.
U11 cricket
Several games entertained the spectators until the final ball, the closest being at Skelton Castle, where the home ended with a net score of 226, Freddie Snaith taking 3 wickets for 5 runs for visitors Stokesley. Chloe Lovell (2-4) and Jacob Gibson (2-14) for Skelton ensured the scores were level at the start of the last over. Stokesley managing to score two in the last over finishing on 228.
Middlesbrough proudly field a team in each U11 division, and 11 players experienced hard ball cricket for the first time on matchday one across the three teams. At Darlington Middlesbrough Sharks made net 274 featuring an unbeaten 15 from captain Oliver Windross. James Binks made 17* for Darlington. Two late wickets for Rahim Zahan saw Darlington finish on 268.
Boro’s Falcons and Panthers both travelled for back-to-back games with Great Ayton. The Falcons played Great Ayton’s central league side; Ayton’s 276 played the Falcons 271 to win by five.
Panthers versus Great Ayton East produced another superb match straight after. Ayton finished net 257, Eddie Grainge 13*, Stan Bezemer 17* and William Pearson 19* batting well. Billy Gardner (2-8) and Mollie Anderton (2-6) taking wickets for the Panthers.
The Panthers reply went down to the last pair and last over, Panthers captain Freddy Glover scoring 21* and despite the partnership taking 25 from the final two overs Ayton took the victory by four runs. Both clubs to be congratulated on an excellent morning’s cricket at a cold Leven Park.
Elsewhere Dylan Parr made 37(net) for Stockton against Saltburn in the u11 Central Division featuring 5 fours and 3 sixes. In the West Division Tom North scored an unbeaten 26 from19 balls opening for Northallerton against Darlington.
Sam Pearson had an “all-rounder” of a morning for Marton against Marske taking 3-7 and scoring 14* in victory. Captain Jospeh Cuff 16* and Lawson Colvin 12* making further contributions to a good team batting innings.
There was one rearranged u13 game this week. Saltburn travelled to Maltby, and batting first made 99-6, Henry Youdale and Dylan Pumphrey both scoring 17. Maltby wicketkeeper Joe Conti retiring undefeated on 31 including 6 boundaries as Maltby made 73 in reply.
CREDIT: Graeme Smith @ North Yorkshire & South Durham Cricket League
