With the season reaching its halfway stage, Richmondshire faced a tough home game against the league’s form side Darlington RA.
But an outstanding all-round performance gave them a comprehensive 71-run victory in what proved to be a dominant display of batting and bowling.
After being put into bat first, Richmondshire lost captain Bob Carr for just two, but partnerships between Gary Pratt (84) and Mike Layfield (31) and then Dan Hodgson (73) built towards a final total of 234 for six wickets in their allotted 50 overs.
Richmondshire’s bowling attack was in exceptional form, systematically dismantling the Darlington batting order to bowl them out for just 163 runs in 42.2 overs.
Josh Dowson took three early wickets including the two RA dangermen Serainghe and Palawat, making the score 61 for three.
Shafi then joined in with the first of his six wickets to reduce RA to 67 for five.
A sixth wicket partnership of 77 halted Richmondshire’s progress but Shafi. with an outstanding six for 34, cleaned up the tail.
With RA all out for 157, 25 points kept Richmondshire top, but only by two points over Marton who they play next Saturday.
Match Summary:
- Result: Richmondshire CC 1st XI won by 71 runs
- Richmondshire CC 1st XI: 234/6 (50 overs)
- Darlington R A CC 1st XI: 163 all out (42.2 overs)
In contrast to the 1st XI’s success, Richmondshire’s 2nds endured a disappointing day at the office, falling to an 8-wicket defeat against Marske CC’s 1st XI despite posting what appeared to be a competitive total.
Richmondshire won the toss and chose to bat first, eventually posting 175 for 8 wickets in their full allocation of 50 overs. Bertie Morris top scoring with 46.
With Richmondshire short of some of their regular bowlers the target of 176 was chased down without difficulty by Marske, who reached their target in just 26.2 overs while losing only 2 wickets. With only four points Richmondshire are marooned in the relegation places.
Match Summary:
- Result: Marske CC 1st XI won by 8 wickets
- Richmondshire CC 2nd XI: 175/8 (50 overs)
- Marske CC 1st XI: 177/2 (26.2 overs)
The 4th claimed a convincing 7-wicket victory over Skelton Castle CC’s 1st XI in what proved to be an excellent all-round team performance. The decision to field first after winning the toss proved to be the right call, as they bowled out Skelton for just 159 runs in 39.5 overs. Liam Conway taking three for 16.
In response, Richmondshire’s batsmen chased down the target of 160 with relative ease. Reaching 160 for 3 in just 38.2 overs, they completed the victory with 11.4 overs to spare and 7 wickets in hand. Evergreen Kevin Forbes leading the way with 55 not out.
The victory earned the 20 league points providing valuable momentum for their campaign.
Match Summary:
- Result: Richmondshire CC 4th XI won by 7 wickets
- Skelton Castle CC 1st XI: 159 all out (39.5 overs)
- Richmondshire CC 4th XI: 160/3 (38.2 overs)
Unfortunately, they couldn’t maintain this in their second game of the weekend on Sunday. Playing at home against Preston on Tees they went down to a 43-run defeat. Having won the toss and electing to field Richmondshire found themselves facing a total of 205 for eight. Raam Raj took 35 for four and Harry Saunders 30 for three.
In reply, despite 53 from Isaac Bottomley, Richmondshire were bowled out for 162 in 36.2 overs. 8 points leaves them second in the table to Billingham Synthonia but trailing by 38 points.
Match Summary:
- Result: Richmondshire CC 5th XI lost by 43 runs
- Preston on Tees CC 1st XI: 205/8 (40 overs)
- Richmondshire CC 4th XI: 162 all out (36.2 overs)
The 5ths capped off an outstanding day for the club with a commanding 9-wicket victory over Middleton St George CC’s 2nds. Despite losing the toss, Richmondshire bowled out Middleton St George for 161 in 35.5 overs. Finlay Clarke taking three for 22 and Lois Morris three for 17.
Richmondshire then reached 164 for just 1 wicket in only 28 overs. Finlay Clarke (61*) and Jahan Mohammed (57*) were particularly impressive in the chase.
20 league points for the comprehensive victory leaves them third in the table 13 points off the promotion places
Match Summary:
- Result: Richmondshire CC 5th XI won by 9 wickets
- Middleton St George CC 2nd XI: 161 all out (35.5 overs)
- Richmondshire CC 5th XI: 164/1 (28.0 overs)
- Toss: Middleton St George won the toss and elected to bat
