Richmondshire’s eventful season continued on Sunday with two more trophies being added to an already bulging cabinet.
The first team were finally able to complete their Kerridge Cup Final at the third attempt, defeating Middlesbrough in a keenly contested game at Northallerton’s ground, while over at Normanby Hall a ten wicket victory for the third team secured them a second successive Sunday premier league trophy.
Batting first the first team made a relatively slow and shaky start, with opener Rob Carr unluckily run out when a strongly struck drive was deflected on to his stumps as he backed up.
Gary Pratt was then caught behind a run later to bring the score to 33 for 2.
stand of 41 between Matty McKiernan and Mike Layfield was just looking promising when Mike was out for 20.
That brought the two Mattys together for what proved the decisive stand of 128.
Matty McKiernan provided another master class in limited over batting in an innings of 87 in 69 bowls with nine fours and two sixes.
Matty Cowling provided strong support with 71 not out from 58 bowls with seven fours and one six.
At the end of the 40 overs Richmondshire had put on 231 for 5 to lay down a daunting challenge for the Middlesbrough batsmen.
The Middlesbrough innings got off to a brisk start as opening bowler Sam Wood struggled to find his range but two wickets for Rob West left them in a similar position to Richmondshire when the second wicket fell at 39.
A fine partnership between Mark Gleeson and Simon Reeves then looked as if it could turn the game putting on 116 for the third wicket.
Captain Gray Pratt then turned to Sam Wood, often more effective in a second and third spell, to break the partnership.
He duly had Gleeson caught on the boundary and with Simon Reeves left without a strong batting partner Middlesbrough started to fall behind the asking rate.
With Matty McKiernan returning to the attack to apply the vice with his economical leg spin over the last few overs the rate climbed and they finally fell twenty three short at the close of the innings.
Richmondshire retaining the Kerridge Cup which they had won for the first time in their history last season.
The third team knew that with two away games remaining they had a good chance of clinching the title at Normanby Hall. Putting Normaby in to bat they then restricted them to 156 for 7 with Jordan Moss 2 for 24 and Clive Layfield 3 for 13 leading the attack.
An unbroken partnership between Clive Layfield (77 not out) and Matty Price (71 not out) then took Richmondshire to a ten wicket win leaving them 31 points clear at the top of the table and uncatchable with one game remaining.
On Saturday the first teams bid for the league title ended in disappointment. In a rain delayed game at Thornaby.
The hosts appeared more interested in frustrating Richmondshire than going for the win. Batting out the full fifty overs to put on 181 for 6 they left only 25 overs for Richmondshire to score the needed runs.
With another fine Matty McKiernan innings (68) they did what they could but when the game was brought to a close for bad light after twenty overs they had only reached 121 for 7.
As it turned out this made no difference to the league outcome as both Barnard Castle and Great Ayton were recording 25 point wins.
This left Barnard Castle top with 385 points, Great Ayton second with 381 and Richmondshire third with 361.
As top Yorkshire side Great Ayton will now go on to represent the NYSD in the play off between the Yorkshire ECB Premier Leagues.
The seconds also had a rain delayed start playing at home to champions Billingham. In a match reduced to 33 overs Billingham batted first to score 139 for 8 and in a tight finish Richmondshire 126 for 8.
Crucially Richmondshire just reached the target of ten points to keep them ahead of third placed Whitby, who had earlier won their game.
A second place finish and top second team was fine achievement for the side and one that will be much appreciated in Marske. As Richmondshire cannot be promoted into the same league as their first team, only one team will be relegated from the Premiership sparing Marske the drop.
The season for the fourth and fifth teams came to anti-climatic end with the fourths game against East Cowton falling to the weather and the 5ths conceding against Spennymoor. Both stayed clear of relegation and will continue in their respective leagues next season.
With the regular Saturday season at an end there are now still some big games coming up. Next Saturday a Richmondshire C.C. select team will play a charity match against a Help for Heroes XI at Hurgill Road.
On Monday, September 17 the Under 19s play their ECB Vitality Blast Durham Under 19 County T20 Final at the Emerates Riverside International Stadium, Durham CCC under floodlights with a six thirty start.
Then on Sunday, September 24 the first team have their ECB National Club Championship Final against Stanmore at the Gloucestershire County Ground, Bristol.
Anyone interested in travelling to Bristol for the final can email mikeheseltine@richmondshirecc.org.uk for details.
