Richmondshire’s 1st XI enjoyed a remarkable run at the end of July, securing three victories across the league and two domestic competitions to keep their season firmly on track.
On Monday, Richmondshire faced Bedale CC in a Collingwood Fifteens semi-final at Bedale Sports Club. The format—a fifteen-over-a-side competition—allowed for explosive batting, and Richmondshire took full advantage. Gary Pratt (98 not out from 47 balls, with 16 fours and one six) and Isaac Bottomley (88 from 41 balls, 14 fours, two sixes) struck a devastating opening stand of 175, carrying the team to 198 for one. Bedale’s reply of 136 fell well short, and Richmondshire progressed to the final with a 62-run victory.
This was followed on Tuesday with a quarter-final triumph in the Premier Hundred competition against Marton CC at Hurgill Road. Having suffered a narrow defeat to Marton in the MacMillan Cup Final earlier in the season, this represented a measure of redemption. Richmondshire batted first and posted 152 for five from 100 balls, with Isaac Bottomley scoring 52 from 32 deliveries and Sam Wood striking 31 from 16 (including three sixes).
In reply, Marton managed only 92 all out in 100 balls. Harvey Websdale’s three for 13 from 20 balls proved decisive, alongside two wickets apiece for Sam Wood and Caleb Bradford.
The week ended with a dominant performance at Hurgill Road against Stockton CC in the ECB Premier Division on 25 July. Stockton, batting first, managed only 144 all out in 41.2 overs despite Joe Hewison’s 47. The visiting team’s innings was unravelled by a sustained spin attack: Lalith Akkaraju took five for 33 from 14.2 overs with six maidens, supported ably by Shafiqullah Ghafari, who claimed four for 41.
Richmondshire chased down the target in 33.1 overs, with Gary Pratt contributing 49, Dan Hodgson adding 36, and Robert Carr returning to contribute an unbeaten 20 towards a total of 147. The seven-wicket victory gave them 25 points, cutting Barnard Castle’s lead to 14 as they could only draw against Bishop Auckland.
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AROUND THE CLUB
Richmondshire’s 2nd XI drew with Guisborough CC at Fountains Garth in a Division 1 fixture. Guisborough scored 215 for six (50 overs), with Nathan Bell striking 55. In Richmondshire’s response, Matthew Price compiled 72 and Jake Percival 75, steering the team to 190 all out in 50 overs. The draw giving a welcome nine points, but still leavind them at risk of relegation.
The 3rd XI secured a five-wicket victory over Normanby Hall CC at Hurgill Road on in the NYSD Sunday Premier League. Normanby Hall posted 140 all out (35.5 overs), and Richmondshire reached the target in 26 overs. Isaac Bottomley’s unbeaten 69 (58 balls, 11 fours, one six) proved the cornerstone of the chase. Jordan Forbes claimed four for nine with the ball.
Richmondshire’s 4th XI drew away with East Harsley CC in Division 4. Richmondshire’s 4th XI Richmondshire posted 150 all out (39.4 overs), and East Harsley closed on 139 for nine (40 overs).
5th XI: The 5th XI suffered a heavy defeat at Haughton CCi n the Darlington and District Cricket League, Division B. Haughton’s G McGuire struck 110 to carry his side to 199 for seven (40 overs), and Richmondshire could manage only 102 all out in 28.4 overs in reply.
