Richmondshire closed the gap at the top of the NYSD ECB Premier Division table on Saturday, defeating Stokesley CC by 15 runs under DLS at Hurgill Road to claim 25 points.
Dan Hodgson won the toss and elected to bat. Michael Layfield anchored the innings with a well-made 107 from 146 balls, hitting 10 fours and a six, before being caught. He shared an opening stand of 131 with Gary Pratt, who contributed 63 from 101 balls. Hodgson added 17, and late contributions from Joe White (17 from 16), Shafiqullah Ghafari (15 from 10 balls) and Owen Kelly — an unbeaten 14 from just four deliveries — helped Richmondshire close on 247 for four from their 50 overs.
Unusually the spinners didn’t take a wicket and it was the pacmen who did the damage. Max Percival struck with just one on the board, three more wickets reduced Stokesley to 50 for four. Stokesley’s chase revolved around a partnership of 133 between James Weighell, who carried his bat for 99 not out from 153 balls, and Harry Harding (43). Sam Wood broke the partnership quickly followed by another from Josh Dowson effectively put an end to any Stokesly hopes of a win. The last two hours of the Stokesley innings were played in persistent light rain before the umpires were eventually forced to call a halt. with. DLS set Stokesley a revised target of 203 from 43.1 overs but play never resumed giving Richmondshire victory by 15 runs.
Sam Wood ended with three for 26 wickets and Josh Dawson two for 29
The result moves Richmondshire to second in the table, cutting the gap on leaders Barnard Castle by five points. With Barney’s away wins earning 20 points against Richmondshire’s home win for 25
AROUND THE CLUB
2nd XI: The 2nd XI were beaten by 78 runs away at Normanby Hall in NYSD Division 1. Invited to bowl first, Richmondshire’s attack worked hard — Harvey Websdale and Jake Percival each taking three wickets — but Normanby Hall posted 197 for nine, with J Leech top-scoring on 55. In reply, Sam Winter’s 43 was the only substantial contribution as N Asif claimed five wickets, and Richmondshire were bowled out for 119.
3rd XI: The 3rd XI played out a draw at home against Darlington CC in the NYSD Sunday Premier. Electing to field, Richmondshire restricted Darlington to 224 for five, Andy Dade taking four wickets. In reply, Alex Percival made 55 and Louis Morris contributed an unbeaten 35, but Richmondshire finished on 177 for seven, unable to press for victory in the time available.
4th XI: The 4th XI suffered a six-wicket defeat against Wolviston CC 2nd XI at Richmond School in NYSD Division 4. Richmondshire posted 156, with Lewi Pybus making a brisk 36 and Andy Dade contributing 31 at the top of the order, In reply, Nazir’s 78 guided Wolviston home with relative comfort, despite two wickets each for Freddy Lamb and Lewis Pybus.
5th XI: The 5th XI fell to a 15-run defeat away at Middleton-in-Teesdale in the Darlington & District League. Electing to field, Richmondshire restricted Middleton to 186 for four, Olley Russell and John Bewell taking two wickets each. In reply, Sophie White’s 34 and Chris Dunning’s unbeaten 54 was the standout contribution but Richmondshire fell short on 171 for nine.
