1st XI — NYSD ECB Premier Division Richmondshire CC 150/9 (50 overs) beat Middlesbrough CC 70 all out (27.3 overs) by 80 runs
Richmondshire made it back-to-back Premier Division victories with a dominant 80-run home win over Middlesbrough CC on Saturday, a performance lit up by a stunning hat-trick from Shafiqullah Ghafari that will be talked about at Hurgill Road for some time to come.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, Richmondshire’s innings was built around a typically measured half-century from Gary Pratt — 57 from 139 balls with five boundaries — an innings of patience and craft that held things together on a day when wickets fell at regular intervals. Michael Layfield gave him solid early company with 28 at the top of the order, and Sam Wood provided late impetus with an unbeaten 23 from just 22 balls to help push Richmondshire to 150 for 9 from their 50 overs. Ankar Malik and James Lowe were the pick of the Middlesbrough attack, each claiming three wickets, and the total always required a disciplined bowling effort to defend.
What followed was one of the most clinical bowling performances seen at Hurgill Road in recent memory. Ghafari was simply irresistible — returning figures of 5 for 11 from eight overs, including four maidens, at a barely credible economy rate of 1.38. The centrepiece of his spell was a stunning hat-trick that ripped the heart out of the Middlesbrough middle order, sending three batsmen back in rapid succession and effectively ending the contest. Middlesbrough collapsed to 49 for 5, and though there was brief resistance to take them to 70, the outcome was never seriously in doubt.
Lalith Mohan Akkaraju supported superbly with 2 for 23 from 12 immaculate overs — just 1.92 runs per over — and Caleb Bradford chipped in with 2 for 0 from his 1.3 overs to complete an emphatic team bowling display. Middlesbrough were bowled out for 70 in 27.3 overs, and the 80-run winning margin moved Richmondshire further up the Premier Division table. A fine afternoon’s cricket — and a hat-trick to savour.
Around the Club
2nd XI — NYSD Division 1 Richmondshire CC 2nd XI 190/9 (50 overs) lost to Norton CC, Durham 193/6 (46.1 overs) by 4 wickets
A heart-breaking afternoon for the 2nd XI at Norton Cricket Club, where Richmondshire fell agonisingly short in a match they were very much in throughout. Posting 190 for 9 from their 50 overs, they came within three runs of victory — Norton getting home with four wickets to spare but with the game in the balance deep into the final ten overs.
The batting was led by a fine 61 from Jonny Baines — a patient, well-constructed innings from 116 balls with five boundaries that provided the backbone of the total. Jamie Stead made 22 at the top of the order, and John Clark contributed a lively unbeaten 28 from 25 balls lower down to give the innings late momentum. Jack Slatcher was the pick of the Norton attack with five wickets from 15 disciplined overs, though 21 wides in the Norton extras column gave Richmondshire cause for encouragement going into the field.
Harvey Websdale claimed two wickets in an economical spell and Jordan Forbes also took two, but Norton’s batsmen navigated the chase steadily to reach the target in the 47th over. With just three runs separating the sides at the finish, it was a game Richmondshire will feel they let slip.
3rd XI — NYSD Sunday Premier League Richmondshire’s 3rd XI Sunday fixture against Middlesbrough CC 3rd XI was abandoned due to heavy rain.
4th XI — NYSD Division 4 Richmondshire CC 4th XI 185/6 (40 overs) drew with Guisborough CC 2nd XI 165/9 (40 overs)
A much-improved performance from the 4th XI at Richmond School saw them comfortably ahead on first innings in a 40-over draw against Guisborough CC 2nd XI, taking 14 points to Guisborough’s 9.
T Carey led the batting with an assured 63 from 84 balls — ten boundaries in a captain’s innings that set the tone — while A Dade again showed his value with an unbeaten 41, and P Stephenson contributed a solid 28 at the top of the order. A late cameo of 18 from just 11 balls by J King helped push the total to 185 for 6, giving the bowlers something to work with.
In the field, Stephenson was the standout with four wickets from ten overs, and M Platt bowled with real control to claim three more. Dade chipped in with two wickets to leave Guisborough on 165 for 9 at the close — 20 runs adrift and well short of the Richmondshire total. A solid team effort and a much more positive afternoon than last week.
5th XI — Darlington & District League, Division B Catterick Village CC 1st XI 161 all out (37.3 overs) lost to Richmondshire CC 5th XI 164 all out (36.3 overs) by 3 runs
What a finish at Catterick Village Sports Pavilion — the 5th XI pulled off a thrilling 3-run victory in a match that went to the wire, successfully chasing down Catterick’s 161 in a tense and absorbing contest.
In the field first, M White and J Mohammed were outstanding with the ball, each claiming three wickets at exceptional economy — White at 2.25 and Mohammed at 2.86 — to restrict Catterick to 161 all out. The chase was never straightforward, but S White’s composed 37 from 62 balls provided the foundation, with M White contributing 21 and Mohammed 23 to keep Richmondshire on track. N Winter held firm with an unbeaten 11 at the death, and despite being bowled out for 164 in the 37th over, that was enough to seal a memorable win. A great result — and good reward for a side that showed real character throughout.
Full scorecards for all Richmondshire CC matches are available at richmondshire.play-cricket.com. Richmondshire CC play their home fixtures at Hurgill Road, Richmond, North Yorkshire.
