It’s often said crickets a strange game and there was no clearer example than Richmondshire 1sts results this week.
On Thursday they experienced the highs when they defeated Barnard Castle for the third time in six days, this time in the semi-final of the 20 over Macmillan Cup.
Batting first Richmondshire ran up a stunning 245 for five. A typically attacking opening from Tom Dowson of 76 left supporters wishing he was home from Australia for more than three weeks. He was supported by 69 from Gary Platt and 47 from Dan Hodgson.
Despite a stand of 104 between Finn Usher and Karl Carver, Barney never got up to the required run rate and fell 35 runs short with 210 for seven.
While this was going on over at Darlington’s Feethams ground, the 3rds were playing Normanby Hall 3rds in the final of the Arthur Saunders Cup for teams playing in the Sunday League. Richmondshire came out the winners by 86 runs – a victory made all the more remarkable by the fact that the average age of the Richmondshire side was just 16 years and one month.
Put in first to make 202 for three, with Jack Platt making 57, Alex Percival 45 and Jake Percival 55 not out. In reply, Normanby Hall made 114 for seven Raam Raj taking three for 20 and James Cox two for 16.
The 1st team then encountered a season low when they lost to Darlington RA in a game which on recent form they were strong favorites to win. In a performance they will want to forget they were totally outplayed to lose by ten wickets.
Only Gary Pratt with 40 made a significant contribution as the RA spinners dominated to bowl Richmondshire out for 123 in just 36 overs. In contrast the RA openers made batting look easy to knock off the runs in just 13.5 overs.
The 2nds team made their best total of the season at Seaton Carew 1sts making 280 for 9, with 63 from Alex Percival, 53 from brother Jake and 48 from Richie Carruthers. In turn, Seaton made 260 for seven despite five for 64 from Tom Stockton. Both teams taking 13 points.
The 4ths had the long journey to Whitby for a very short game. Put into bat and quickly dismissed for 27. Gaz Wood (five for 10) and Michael Platt (five for 12) shared the wickets. It took 7.1 overs to make the runs for the loss of one wicket, the whole game lasting just 26 overs.
On Sunday the 3rds had made 185 all out, with 56 from John Clark, 32 from Max Percival and 27 from Bertie Morris. Wolviston were just a couple of overs into their innings when a torrential downpour brought the game to a close. The 10 points put Richmondshire 7 points behind top team Norton and one ahead of Wolviston.
