Richmondshire extended their lead at the top of the Premier League thanks to an eight-wicket home win over Normanby Hall.
Normanby made a strong start with the Richmondshire pace bowlers struggling to make an impression.
It took an excellent fielding from Matty Price to claim the first wicket with a direct hit, making the score 86 for one.
The second wicket fell one run later with the introduction of Caleb Bradford to the attack. Caleb took six for 34 as the Richmondshire spinners started to dominate. Shafi took three for 26 as Normanby slumped to 139 all out.
In reply, Gary Pratt (81*) and Joe White had added 64 before Joe was caught for 19. Gary and Adam McAuley added 66 before Adam was leg before at 130 for two.
Sam Wood joined Gary with just ten needed and ended the game with a four.
While Richmondshire were taking 25 points, second-place Hartlepool could only draw against third-place Stockton despite having made 244 for five. Stockton hanging on for 170 for eight. This restricted Hartlepool to 17 points, opening the gap at the top to 14.
Earlier in the week the firsts had progressed to the next round of the Collingwood Cup 100 competition. Open to clubs in all divisions, Richmondshire played Rockcliffe Park 1sts, who are in the same division as Richmondshire 2nds. The game was played on a handicap basis with Rockcliffe receiving 32 runs.
Batting first Richmondshire put on 169 for five, with 72 not out from Gary Pratt, 30 from Shafi and 33 from Matty Price. Even with the added 32 Rockcliffe could only manage 110 for seven. Jake Percival taking four for seven.
The 1sts face stiffer tests next week with the second round of the Macmillan Cup at home against Barnard Castle on Thursday and away to Middlesbrough in the league on Saturday.
The 2nds suffered their first defeat of the season at Redcar 1sts. Put in to bat, they were dismissed for 94. An opening partnership of 46 between Jamie Stead (29) and Daniel Douglas (12) promised a better score but wickets then fell quickly and Max Percival was the only other batsman to reach double figures with 10.
Redcar were able to knock these off with the loss of only four wickets. Richmondshire took only four points but this was enough to hold on to their position at the top of Division Two.
The 4ths had a much-needed win against Thornaby. Put into bat Thornaby made 148 all out, Jack Platt taking four for 24. Jack then led the batting with 47 not out, with 33 from Raam Raj. 20 points being just enough to lift them out of the relegation places.
The 5ths suffered a heavy defeat by 100 runs at Eryholme 2nds. Eryholme making 200 for 4. In reply Jonny Walker made 27 and Jahan Mohammed 17 but Richmondshire could only muster 100 all out.
The 3rds maintained their unbeaten season with a home victory against Thornaby 3rds. Put into bat Thornaby were all out for 111A, with three for 13 from Raam Raj and three for 23 from Will Poole.
Richmondshire made light work of this, with 112 for one in 15 overs. Bertie Morris scored 50 not out in 41 balls and Alex Percival 47. 25 points put them level on points with Hartlepool but well ahead on runs per wicket.
The Ladies recorded two victories. Over Norton in the Women’s T20 they won by 19 runs. Pippa MacLelland made 37 not out as Richmondshire put on 92 for four. They then restricted Norton to 73 for seven, with three for nine from Beth Poole.
In the Ladies Softball they defeated Knaresborough by 62 runs. Sophie White taking three for four and Rosie Brannigan scoring 26.
