Another 25-point win against Marske on Saturday extended Richmondshire’s lead at the top of the NYSD Premier League.
Having won the toss Richmondshire opted to bat first and go for 25 points.
Again, there was the loss of early wickets which has bedeviled Richmondshire recently and they found themselves on 33 for three when Ajay Mandal arrived at the crease.
Ajay played probably his best and certainly most patient innings since his arrival to make 106 and with a brief flourish of 22 not out from Harvey Websdale Richmondshire were able to declare on 227 for eight with an over remaining.
With only one batsman making double figures the Marske batting collapsed completely to be all out for 59 in 15.3 overs. Shaun Charlton taking six for 26 and Harvey Websdale three for 26.
With Barnard Castle game void due to COVID and Marton only able to take seven points from a draw against Middlesbrough, it was only Hartlepool who improved their points average by taking 25 points against Normanby Hall.
With the table now based on average points per game, Richmondshire are now on 17.29, Barnard castle 15.79, Hartlepool 15.47 and Marton 15.07.
Richmondshire play Hartlepool at home on Saturday and are also due to face Barnard Castle and Marton before the end of the season.
Sunday saw the 1sts making the trip to Barnard Castle.
Put into bat they again lost early wickets but with Ajay Mandal continuing where he left off on Saturday and Gary Pratt looking back to his best, they built a partnership of 86. Looking to accelerate the run rate Ajay failed to clear the fielder with a hit to the longest boundary to be out for 51.
A thigh injury when called for a quick single caused Gary to require a runner but despite this was able to make an excellent 95.
A total of 201 for six was going to require a tight bowling and fielding performance but sadly the opening bowlers couldn’t repeat their performance of Saturday. The innings got off to a bad start with Barnard Castle reaching 51 for no wicket after six overs. With the required run rate now just over four the Barnard Castle batsmen were under little pressure and they were able to knock off the runs with the loss of just two wickets kin 30 overs.
The 2nds went down to a 79 run defeat at Darlington RA, who made 227 all out after choosing to bat first. Joe Shields taking five for fifty. In reply Richmondshire were all out for 148 with Jake Percival making 48.
The 4th team had an easy 25 point win at Bedale 2nds. Put into bat Richmondshire were able to pile on the runs with Clive Layfield scoring 100 and retiring not out.
Opening partner Finlay Clarke made 57 and Under 13 player Oliver Ashton 61. They were able to declare after 36 overs with a total of 248 for one.
In reply Bedale could only make 65 before being bowled out in 20.5 overs, Michael Platt taking three for 16 and Rhys Mowbray two for 15.
With second place Stockton unable to play this extended Richmondshire’s lead with an average of 19.15 points to Stockton’s 18.31.
The 5th team, again with the strong junior presence, had a convincing win against King James. Put into bat Richmondshire made 210 for six with Tom Gibbs 59 not out and Under 13 Isaac Bottomley 56 not out.
The King James innings only lasted 21 overs as captain John Bewell took five for five to dismiss them for 81.
On Sunday the 3rds had a fruitless journey to Saltburn when despite having restricted Saltburn to 114 for eight they could only manage 70 all out in reply.
