Richmondshire firsts recorded their second win of the season at Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Middlesbrough stared the day at the top of the table, having played one more game than most teams.
Richmondshire came out on top in a lowing scoring game, which ended in a close finish, to take 20 points.
An excellent spell of bowling by Shaun Charlton, who bowled 15 overs to take 39 for three, broke the back of the Middlesbrough innings.
A stand of 46 took the score to 131 for seven before the introduction of Australian Tom Brook’s (31 for three) leg spin brought three quick wickets.
The innings was then ended with a run out to restrict Middlesbrough to 141 all out.
Richmondshire lost an early wicket when Tom Dowson, looking to make his usual attacking start, was caught with the score on seven.
A partnership between Rob Carr (26) and Mike Layfield (11) took the score to 43 for two.
A flurry of wickets then took the score to 69 for five before a partnership of 60 between Gary Pratt and Jonny Pears steadied things.
When Gary was out for 39 only another 13 were needed for victory, with four wickets and overs in hand.
Shafi was unable to repeat his heroics of last week and was out for a duck.
With only four more needed for the win and for his fifty Jonny Pears went to finish the innings in style but was caught on the boundary.
When Josh Dowson was caught behind two balls later it was down to the final pair to make the three runs needed. They managed to do this in singles to secure a vital win.
This week sees three big fixtures for the 1sts.
On Thursday evening they start their Macmillan Cup campaign with a home fixture against Marton.
On Saturday they travel to Billingham Synthonia for a league fixture.
Then on Sunday they are back to Hurgill Road to play a National Club Cup first round game against Hetton Lyons of the North East Premier League, 1pm start.
At home the seconds played bottom of the table Blackhall, who having been hit by a number of player defections, now struggle to put out a team.
The Richmondshire innings was again led by Jamie Stead (101) who put on 80 in partnership with Marc Lockey (20) and then 110 with Matty Price (95). Richmondshire declaring on 250 for three after 36.2 overs.
Blackhall made a good impression with their attacking intent but the target was beyond them. Jake Percival (two for 26) dismissed both openers, before Dale Marshall (two for 35) and Jonny Carr (5 for 36) completed the job.
The 25 points taking Richmondshire to the top of the table but having played one more game than most other teams.
The fourth team had a tough fixture at Shildon Railway. Put into bat they found themselves at 34 for five before 22 from Chris Layfield and 15 from Max Percival added some valuable runs.
The inning ended 95 all out after 37 overs.
Shildon completed a win after just 23 overs with a total of 96 for three.
The fifths travelled to Witton-le Wear in search of a first win.
After putting in Witton to bat Joe White (two for 22) made the early break through, then father and son John (four for 21) and Griffin Bewell (two for four) had the innings finished on 134.
Joe White then starred with the bat scoring 71 not out.
Richmondshire wrapped up the win on 137 for four after 32.5 overs to take 20 points.
On Sunday the thirds played top of the table Norton at Hurgill Road. After being put into bat it was again Jamie Stead who topped the batting figures, scoring 64 before being run out with a direct hit.
A mini collapse had reduced Richmondshire to 43 for three but Jake Percival (36), Andy Dade (24) and Griffin Bewell (28) all added valuable runs to take the score to 175 for six after the allocated 40 overs.
Norton looked in trouble after a fine bowling spell by Mark Walker (three for 25) had them at 58 for five.
At 105 for eight victory for Richmondshire definitely looked likely but an excellent ninth wicket partnership got Norton home with 177 for 8 with just an over to spare.
