ECB National Club Championship — Group 2, Preliminary Round 2
Richmondshire CC 266/6 (40 overs) beat Woodhouse Grange CC 140 all out (27 overs) by 126 runs
Richmondshire’s 1st XI produced a commanding display to defeat Yorkshire Premier League side Woodhouse Grange CC by 126 runs in the ECB National Club Championship on Sunday, booking their place in the next round of the competition in emphatic fashion.
Winning the toss and choosing to bat at Hurgill Road, Michael Layfield provided a solid platform with a brisk 33 and Richmondshire went on to a formidable total built on two exceptional innings at the heart of the order. Gary Pratt was at his imperious best, compiling a magnificent century — 100 from 97 balls, with 14 boundaries, an innings of composure and authority that set the platform for everything that followed.
When Pratt departed in the 34th over with the score at 224, he left his captain with a foundation to launch from, and Dan Hodgson did exactly that. Hodgson’s 97 not out from 82 balls — striking six fours and four sixes, powered Richmondshire to 266 for 6 from their 40 overs.
Woodhouse Grange lost an early wicket lbw to Harvey Websdale but a second wicket partnership of 61 looked threatening until it was ended by a Shafi run out. From there the reply never seriously threatened the target.
Richmondshire’s bowling attack was disciplined and penetrating throughout, with Lalith the standout performer — claiming three wickets from eight immaculate overs for just 18 runs at an economy rate of 2.25 that kept the pressure relentless. He also added a run out with a direct hit. Caleb Bradford and Harvey Websdale each claimed two wickets, and Shafiqullah Ghafari picked up one more as the visitors were bowled out for 140 in 27 overs. The 126-run margin was emphatic.
1st XI — NYSD ECB Premier Division
Richmondshire CC 176 all out (46.4 overs) beat Darlington RA CC 110 all out (37.0 overs) by 66 runs
Twenty-four hours earlier on Saturday, Richmondshire had already secured a first win in their Premier Division campaign with a convincing 66-run victory away at Darlington RA CC, a result that lifted them to third in the early-season standings.
Darlington won the toss and elected to field at Brinkburn Road. Michael Layfield and Gary Pratt opened, with Layfield falling for 11. Bringing in 16-year-old Raam Raj to make his debut in Premier Division cricket. The newcomer acquitted himself well on the big occasion, contributing 15 from 29 balls before departing caught behind, an encouraging first showing at this level.
Pratt remained the anchor throughout the middle overs, reaching a solid half-century — 50 from 70 balls with seven boundaries — before being removed lbw off Colin Ackermann.
Dan Hodgson worked diligently for his 21, and Owen Kelly provided a timely 23 from 35 balls to keep the scoreboard moving. When Shafiqullah Ghafari arrived, he added late impetus with a punchy 26 from just 21 deliveries, including a six, helping push the total to 176 all out from 46.4 overs.
A target of 177 demanded a substantial batting effort from Darlington, and while the home side showed some early promise, their innings gradually unravelled in the face of disciplined Richmondshire bowling.
Shafi was outstanding — taking five for 31 from 14 overs in a match-defining spell. Sam Wood complemented him superbly, claiming four for 26 from seven overs. Lalith supported economically with one for 25 from 11 overs as Darlington were bowled out for 110 in 37 overs, and the 66-run winning margin was fully deserved.
Around the Club
2nd XI — NYSD Division 1
Richmondshire CC 2nd XI 117 all out (37.2 overs) lost to Stockton CC, Durham 121/5 (33.1 overs) by 5 wickets
Without several key players, Richmondshire’s 2nd XI suffered a disappointing home defeat to Stockton CC, going down by five wickets in Division 1. Jamie Stead contributed a measured 29 at the top of the order and Jonny Baines top-scored with a patient 32 from 69 balls, but wickets fell too regularly through the middle overs and the innings closed on 117 all out. Harvey Websdale impressed with four wickets from 15 economical overs in reply, but Stockton reached their target with five wickets to spare.
3rd XI — NYSD Sunday Premier League
Richmondshire CC 3rd XI 201/8 (40 overs) lost to Hartlepool CC 3rd XI 203/8 (38.4 overs) by 2 wickets
The 3rd XI’s Sunday Premier League fixture away at Hartlepool ended in the narrowest of defeats, going down by just two wickets with eight balls to spare — a result that will sting, given how competitive Richmondshire were throughout.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, the innings was built around an excellent 86 from 116 balls featuring 13 boundaries from Jonny Baines that gave the total real substance. Alex Percival weighed in with 33 and Isaac Bottomley contributed a purposeful 26, but the middle order couldn’t quite capitalise to push beyond 201 for 8.
In the field, Richmondshire were competitive throughout. Lewis Pybus and Takkal Abdurrahimzai each took two wickets, with Sophie White, A Shinwari and Alex Percival chipping in with one apiece to reduce Hartlepool to 203 for 8 — but the home side clung on to take the points in the 39th over.
4th XI — NYSD Division 4
Richmondshire CC 4th XI 170/5 (40.0 overs) lost to Seaton Carew CC 173/0 (25.0 overs) by 10 wickets
A chastening afternoon for the 4th XI at Hornby Park, as Seaton Carew chased down 171 without loss, wrapping up a 10-wicket victory with 15 overs to spare. The batting had provided a solid foundation — Andy Dade’s excellent 75 not out from 116 balls and 46 from captain Kevin Forbes were the standout contributions — but 170 for 5 ultimately proved well short against Seaton Carew’s free-scoring openers. The inability to take a wicket across 25 overs, combined with 14 fielding extras, made for a difficult day all round.
5th XI — Darlington & District League, Division B
Richmondshire CC 5th XI 97 all out (27.1 overs) lost to Shildon Railway CC 2nd XI 100/1 (18.0 overs) by 9 wickets
The 5th XI, playing at Richmond School, also found the going tough, bowled out for 97 before watching Shildon Railway’s openers cruise to the target with nine wickets and nine overs to spare. Sophie White provided the brightest batting contribution with 27, supported by Chris Dunning’s 20 and Jonny Walker’s 16, but the total was never likely to be enough. White also claimed the side’s sole bowling wicket in what was a difficult afternoon.
Full scorecards for all Richmondshire CC matches are available at richmondshire.play-cricket.com
