Richmondshire CC 1st XI 148/3 (29.2 overs) beat Bishop Auckland CC 145 all out (49.2 overs) by 7 wickets — RCC 20pts, Bishop Auckland 4pts
Richmondshire CC produced a polished all-round performance at Hurgill Road on Saturday to beat Bishop Auckland CC by seven wickets, claiming 20 points and keeping pace with league leaders Barnard Castle, who also won to take 25 points.
The gap between the sides now stands at 13 points, with Richmondshire firmly in second position and determined to close it down.
Bishop Auckland’s innings never fully recovered from a difficult opening. Sam Wood was outstanding with the ball, returning four for 29 from ten overs, and was supported by Caleb Bradford with two for 21 and Josh Dowson with two for 45. Despite the steady fall of wickets, Thomas Stones resisted well, top-scoring with 44 from 62 balls before being bowled by Bradford late in the innings, while Callum Oldfield contributed 21. Harvey Websdale also chipped in with one for 27 as Bishop Auckland were bowled out for 145 in 49.2 overs.
The chase was completed with more than 20 overs to spare. Michael Layfield fell early for 8, but Gary Pratt anchored the innings superbly, finishing unbeaten on 47 from 89 balls. Dan Hodgson struck a brisk 30 before being caught and Joe White contributed a punishing 30 from just 19 balls including a six. Owen Kelly saw the side home alongside Pratt with 16 not out, as Richmondshire reached 148 for 3 to complete a thoroughly professional victory.
1st XI — MacMillan Cup Semi-Final (Tuesday 23 June, Acklam Park)
Middlesbrough CC 1st XI 126/7 (20 overs) lost to Richmondshire CC 1st XI 127/6 (18.2 overs) by 4 wickets
Earlier in the week, Richmondshire CC booked their place in the MacMillan Cup final with a four-wicket victory away at Middlesbrough CC at Acklam Park. Winning the toss and electing to field, Dan Hodgson’s side restricted the hosts to 126 for 7, with Caleb Bradford taking two for 21 and Sam Wood returning one for 11 from four overs including a maiden. Shafiqullah Ghafari, Josh Dowson, Harvey Websdale, and Max Percival each claimed one wicket apiece.
Richmondshire’s chase began badly — Gary Pratt fell for 1, and Ghafari, who blazed 40 from 20 balls with seven fours and a six, was caught shortly after. At 59 for 4, the outcome was uncertain. Owen Kelly (31) and the unflappable Dan Hodgson (30 not out) steadied the ship, and Jake Percival’s unbeaten 10 helped seal victory with ten balls to spare. Richmondshire now look forward to the final at home against Marton on Sunday 5th July.
Around the Club
The 2nd XI suffered defeat away at Great Ayton CC at Leven Park in NYSD Division 1. Richmondshire were bowled out for 127 (44.3 overs), with Jamie Stead top-scoring on 41 and Alex Percival contributing a fighting 18 not out lower down. Great Ayton reached their target of 128 for the loss of four wickets in 28.3 overs. Fred Lamb was the pick of RCC’s bowlers with three for 27.
The 4th XI lost to Redcar CC 2nd XI at Richmond School despite a remarkable bowling effort from Andy Dade, who returned four for five. Richmondshire were bowled out for 107 in just 22.2 overs, a total that proved insufficient as Redcar, losing seven wickets in the chase, reached their target.
The 5th XI won convincingly away at Northallerton CC 4th XI. Sophie White turned in an outstanding all-round display — she took five wickets to help bowl Northallerton out for 107, Mike White (44 not out) and Jahan Mohammed (46 not out) then saw Richmondshire home in just 15.2 overs, winning by nine wickets.
The 3rd XI recorded an emphatic eight-wicket win away at Billingham Synthonia CC in the NYSD Sunday Premier League. Billingham were dismissed for 85, with Andy Dade taking three for 15, Louis Morris two for seven, and Lewis Pybus one for ten. John Clark (29 not out) and Isaac Bottomley (39 not out) then blasted Richmondshire to 89 for 2 in just 11.5 overs.
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