Richmondshire’s 1st XI maintained their second place in the NYSD Premier Division with a hard-fought four-wicket victory over Marton CC at Hurgill Road on Saturday, while cup wins over Norton CC and Darlington RA completed an excellent week for the club.
Winning the toss and electing to field, Richmondshire made early inroads with a wicket for Max Percival with just three on the board. Marton’s second pair then put on 79 in quick time with Ryan Gibson (70) the main source of runs.
The switch in the attack to Harvey Websdale and Shafi halted the flow and Marton’ innings collapsed as they were for 167 in 36 overs. Shafiqullah Ghafari was the pick of the bowlers with six for 50 from 13 overs, while Harvey Websdale claimed three for 55.
Dismissing Marton in 36 overs gave Richmondshire additional fourteen overs to make the 168 needed, meaning a run rate of less than three an over was required.
Chasing 168, Richmondshire’s batters were never completely secure as Marton’s spinners exploited a turning wicket. Michael Layfield fell early for five, and Dan Hodgson (29) and Joe White (1) were dismissed without the total reaching three figures. Gary Pratt held the innings together with a measured 49 before being dismissed with the target still some way off.
There had been a number of close calls while attempting quick singles, unnecessary given the rate required. Owen Kelly (28) was looking in command until he was run out after another poor call leaving the score 145 for six.
It was left to Sam Wood (13*) and Max Percival (15*) to guide Richmondshire home, the pair remaining unbeaten as the winning runs were secured with four wickets in hand.
Having won the toss and put in Marton meant the win was only worth 20 points. With Barnard Castle taking another 25 the gap at the top widened to 27 points.
Earlier in the week, the 1st XI had progressed in both the Macmillan Cup and the Kerridge Cup. In the Macmillan Cup quarter-final at Norton on Monday, Richmondshire bowled their hosts out for 58 in 19.1 overs — Harvey Websdale taking three for 18, Josh Dowson two for 13, Joe White two for five, with Max Percival and Caleb Bradford chipping in with one apiece. Gary Pratt (35*) and Joe White (20*) then knocked off the target in 8.2 overs without loss.
On Sunday, Richmondshire travelled to Brinkburn Road for the Kerridge Cup quarter-final against Darlington RA CC. Max Percival was the standout bowler with four for 24 as RA were dismissed for 59 in 16 overs, Caleb Bradford claiming three for three in two overs and Josh Dowson two for 19.
Shafi (12) fell early in the chase before Gary Pratt (33*) and Dan Hodgson (5*) completed a nine-wicket win with 28 overs to spare. Richmondshire will now play Middlesbrough in the semi-final.
Around the Club
2nd XI — NYSD Division 1
The 2nd XI suffered a 58-run defeat away at Billingham Synthonia in NYSD Division 1. Synthonia posted 233 for seven from their 50 overs, Jordan Forbes was Richmondshire’s best bowler with five for 60. In reply, Jamie Stead led the chase with a determined 70 but wickets fell regularly, and Richmondshire were bowled out for 175 in last ball of the final over.
3rd XI — NYSD Sunday Premier League
The 3rd XI were involved in one of cricket’s rarest results on Sunday finishing tied with Darlington RA CC’s 3rd XI — both sides dismissed for 141. Richmondshire batted first, with John Clark making a rapid 64 before the innings subsided to 141 all out in 30 overs.
Chasing 142, Darlington RA were bowled out for the same score in 37.2 overs, Alfie Bottomley taking four for 11 and Lewis Pybus two for 18 to share the spoils in an extraordinary finish.
4th XI — NYSD Division 4
The 4th XI were unable to convert a promising position into victory, drawing with East Harlsey CC at Richmond School in Division 4. East Harlsey posted 149 for eight in 40 overs, Theo Carey batted excellently for an unbeaten 69 in Richmondshire’s reply of 136 for eight, but the target proved beyond them.
5th XI — Darlington & District League Division B
The 5th XI were beaten by nine wickets away at East Cowton CC. Mike White’s 57 anchored the Richmondshire innings of 166 all out, with Matt Bromirskyj contributing a useful 20* lower down,
East Cowton then overhauled the target with only one wicket down, Brian Tucker (83*) and Matthew Clark (60*) sharing an unbroken stand to seal victory. Sophie White took the sole wicket to fall.
