Richmondshire defeated Darlington by 50 runs in the Macmillan Cup T20 final on Sunday to put the first trophy of the season in the cabinet.
Put in to bat Richmondshire made 156 for eight thanks to 53 from Gary Pratt, supported by 27 from Bob Carr and 49 from Mike Layfield. In reply Darlington were never able to get on terms with the target with Harvey Websdale dismissing the Darlington professional for the second week running as he took two for 14. Tom Brooks took three for 17 and there was a wicket a piece for Sam Wood and Gary Pratt.
Richmondshire will now represent the NYSD in the national knockout starting on the 7th August.
On Saturday they suffered the frustration of a draw as Stokesley held out for eleven overs with nine wickets down. Richmondshire, having again won the toss and chosen to bat, put on 277 for three declared after 49 overs.
Gary Pratt continued his sensational batting form with 100 not out and is now averaging 70.2 runs for the season. With 61 from Mike Layfield and 48 not out from Owen Kelly this looked a formidable target for Stokesley.
They made a strong start, largely thanks to an impressive innings from professional Mogakane. His innings of 86 from 73 balls ended abruptly with a sensational catch from Bob Carr. At this stage Stokesley were 116 for two and well up with the required rate but a collapse saw them lose four wickets for just thirty runs.
Since his promotion to the 1st team two weeks ago Harvey Websdale has coped impressively with the step up to the Premier League. A hat trick in the 40th over gave him figures of four for 14 and left Stokesley with eleven overs to bat out for a draw.
Despite regular bowling changes Richmondshire couldn’t make the breakthrough and as result the draw deprived them of the ten point difference between a win and a draw. This was still enough to keep them top of the league ahead of Barnard Castle who had taken 25 from a win at Billingham and Middlesbrough who could only manage four from a defeat against Darlington.
The 2nd team visited Marske 1sts and managed a six-wicket win. Having put Marske in to bat they dismissed them for 168. Shaun Charlton taking four for 43, James Kelly three for 26 and Dale Marshall two for 33.
After losing a couple of early wickets a stand of 79 between Matty Price (51) and Richie Carruthers (51 not out) put them on the way to victory. 20 points taking them to fourth in the league.
The 4th team had an easy victory against Rockcliffe Park 2nds, who they dismissed for just 48. Fourteen year old Max Percival taking three for five, Gaz Wood three for 17, Michael Platt two for 20 and Mark Walker two for one run. It took only 7.5 overs to knock off the runs and take 20 points.
The 5ths were defeated by neighbours Catterick Village after making 156 all out. Joe White top scoring with 32. The Catterick innings was dominated by opener Anthony Kirby with 88 as they reached 162 for 7 after 36 overs.
On Sunday the 3rd team visited Wolviston and went ahead of them in the league with a 25 point win. Max Percival continued his good weekend by top scoring with 27 not out as Richmondshire made 105 for eight.
They then shocked Wolviston by bowling them out for 84. Another Percival brother Jake took four for six and veteran Andy Dade took four for 36.
The 25 points takes Richmondshire to the top of the table, level on points with Norton but with a better run to wicket ratio.
