A big week for Richmondshire’s 1st XI, with a commanding 92-run win over third-placed Darlington RA CC in the league, built around an outstanding bowling display from Shafiqullah Ghafari.
Having won the toss and elected to bat, Richmondshire posted 266 for four from their 50 overs, anchored by a superb 90 from Gary Pratt and an unbeaten 64 from captain and wicketkeeper Dan Hodgson, who steered the innings through the middle overs before accelerating in the closing stages alongside some late fireworks from Joe White, whose 35 came at better than a run a ball.
Shafiqullah Ghafari then added a brisk 27 from just seven balls to give the total real impetus in the closing overs. Michael Layfield also chipped in with 32 at the top of the order to lay the foundation, and with Owen Kelly unbeaten alongside Hodgson at the close.
Darlington were always going to have to bat out of their skins to chase down 267, and any hopes they had were extinguished by an extraordinary spell from Shafiqullah Ghafari, who finished with figures of six for 64 from 10.5 overs.
It was a spell that ran through the heart of the Darlington innings, with five of his six wickets coming as the visitors slid from 141 for 7 to 174 all out in a dramatic late collapse. Vishal Tripathi fell early to Lalith Mohan Akkaraju, before Shafi began to take control.
Support came from Joe White, who picked up two wickets, while Lalith Mohan Akkaraju, Josh Dowson and Caleb Bradford also chipped in with the new ball and through the middle overs, keeping the required rate climbing throughout and giving Darlington no route back into the contest.
Darlington were eventually bowled out for 174 in 40.5 overs, handing Richmondshire a 92-run win and the full 25 points on offer.
It was a complete team performance, and a timely one given Darlington’s position third in the table before the game. This result puts Richmond 31 points ahead of RA but they still trail Barnard Castle who also took 25 points from their win over Marton.
Richmondshire will hope to carry the momentum from this week into next weekend’s trip to Guisborough CC, before a much-anticipated Kerridge Cup semi-final against Middlesbrough CC at Hurgill Road the following Sunday, a fixture that will offer the chance of a first cup final appearance since the MacMillan Cup defeat earlier in the month.
AROUND THE CLUB
The 2nd XI had a much-needed win, seeing off Stockton CC, Durham by 5 wickets away at The Grangefield Ground. Chasing 96 for victory, contributions from Alex Percival (25) and Sam Winter (27) put the innings on track, with Matty Price seeing the side home unbeaten on 15.
There was no such luck for the 3rd XI, who went down by 60 runs at home to Hartlepool CC in Sunday Premier action. Chasing 195 for victory, Richmondshire’s reply was built almost entirely around an outstanding innings of 79 from Isaac Bottomley, who struck 15 fours in a knock that kept the chase alive long after wickets had fallen at the other end, but support was in short supply as the side were bowled out for 134.
The 4th XI also suffered defeat, losing by 18 runs away to Darlington R A CC’s 2nd XI at Brinkburn Road, despite Andy Dade’s patient 16 and a battling 21 from John Clark in the chase of a revised target. Fred Lamb’s four wickets had earlier restricted the hosts to 140 all out, but Richmondshire could not quite get over the line, finishing on 122 all out.
It was a difficult afternoon for the 5th XI too, who were beaten by 126 runs at Shildon Railway CC in Darlington and District League action. Shildon’s 212 for 3, proved well beyond Richmondshire’s reach as the visitors were bowled out for just 86.
