RICHMONDSHIRE CRICKET CLUB — MATCH REPORT | 18–19 APRIL 2026
1st XI | NYSD Premier League | Hurgill Road | Saturday 18 April
Richmondshire CC 135 all out (50 overs) lost to Saltburn CC 173 all out (49.5 overs) by 38 runs
For the third opening day in succession, Richmondshire’s 1st XI began their NYSD Premier League campaign with a defeat.
Richmondshire were able to field their strongest team, with new Indian professional Lalith Akkaraju making his debut, Shafiqullah Ghafari freed up by Durham County Cricket Club’s blank weekend, and Rob Carr making the journey from Dublin.
Saltburn won the toss and elected to bat, building their slowly. The Richmond attack put the emphasis on spin with Lalith Akkaraj opening the bowling. The Saltburn batsmen found scoring difficult and the rate rarely got above three in the early stages. Shafi made the breakthrough with 40 on the board and followed up with a second with a caught behind.
The cornerstone of the Saltburn innings was Serasinghe, who compiled a patient 54 from 89 balls before falling to Akkaraju — also caught behind.
Needing to up the run rate Emmerson then provided the late fireworks, striking three sixes in an explosive 21 from just 23 balls to push Saltburn to a competitive 173 all out
Richmondshire’s bowling return reflected the emphasis on spin, Shafi finished with four wickets. Akkaraju three and Caleb Bradford two.
Chasing 174, Richmondshire’s reply never got going. Mike Layfield and Gary Pratt, the experienced opening pair, both fell to Crooks inside the first ten overs. Rob Carr and Dan Hodgson followed cheaply, and at 38 for 4 the task looked daunting. Sam Wood was the most composed contributor with 27 from 50 balls, and Shafi reminded everyone of what he brings to the team: 16 punchy runs from 17 deliveries, including a six, before being caught off Sarasinghe.
Richmondshire’s last pair of Josh Dowson (12 from 20 balls) and Caleb Bradford dug in to hold out for a draw, only for Caleb to be bowled by Sarasinghe from the very last ball of the innings.
They will want a much better batting performance next week as they play Darlington R.A. in the league and then Woodhouse Grange in the National Club Championship on Sunday.
Around the Club
2nd XI | NYSD Division 1 | Away at Thornaby CC | Saturday 18 April
Richmondshire CC beat Thornaby CC by 6 wickets
A fine start to the Division 1 campaign as the seconds made the trip to Thornaby and returned with the points. Richmondshire’s bowlers set the platform — Harvey Websdale claiming four wickets and Max Percival three — before Raam Raj anchored the run chase with an assured 47 from 84 balls. Captain Sam Winter contributed an unbeaten 27 and Max Percival finished with 17 not out as Richmondshire reached their target with six wickets in hand. A very encouraging opening day.
3rd XI | NYSD Sunday Premier | Hurgill Road | Sunday 19 April
Richmondshire CC 155 all out (36.3 overs) lost to Billingham Synthonia CC 158/3 (29.5 overs) by 7 wickets
John Clark gave the thirds every chance of a winning total with a magnificent 79 from 71 balls — a knock that included 10 fours and three sixes — but the rest of the batting could not build sufficiently around him, and Richmondshire were dismissed for 155. Billingham won comfortably with seven wickets and more than 10 overs to spare.
4th XI | NYSD Division 4 | Richmond School | Saturday 18 April
Richmondshire CC 4th XI 129/7 (40 overs) drew with Skelton Castle CC 184/7 (40 overs)
Richmondshire took six battling points against a Skelton Castle side that posted a challenging 184 for 7. Michael Platt, Andy Dade and Lewis Pybus each took two wickets to keep Richmondshire in the game. Set a demanding target, Jordan Forbes top scored with 46 from 80 balls and Lewis Pybus finished unbeaten on 25, but the side ultimately fell 55 runs short with 7 wickets down at the close.
5th XI | Darlington & District League Division B | Away at Etherley CC | Saturday 18 April
Etherley CC 175 all out (29.4 overs) beat Richmondshire CC 5th XI 106 all out (30 overs) by 69 runs
A tough opening game for the fifths away at Etherley. Richmondshire’s bowlers worked hard in the field — Sophie White taking four wickets and Alfie Bottomley three —as the hosts posted 175. Chasing a stiff target, Richmondshire never quite found the fluency required. Johan Mohammed top scored with 32 and Louis Morris contributed an unbeaten 12, but Richmondshire were dismissed for 106, 69 runs short.
Next week’s fixtures
Saturday 25 April 2026
1st XI Away v Darlington R.A. 1st XI 12:00
2nd XI Home v Stockton 2nd XI 12:00
4th XI Away v Seaton Carew 2nd XI 13:00
5th XI Home v Shildon Railway at Richmond School 13:30
Sunday 26 April 2026
1st XI Home v Woodhouse Grange 1st XI 13:00 National Club Championship
3rd XI Away v Hartlepool 3rd XI 14:00
