Richmondshire firsts continued their hectic schedule with two cup games and a league fixture.
It began on Thursday with a trip to Billingham Synthonia to play the Macmillan Cup T20 Semi Final.
Richmondshire got off to the perfect start when Josh Dowson dismissed the Billingham danger man Tahir for three with his second ball. With another wicket to Josh in his second over Billingham were 13 for 2. A slight recovery took them to 46 before Shafiq trapped the batsmen lbw. Sam Wood then took two quick wickets to leave Billingham 52 for 5.
Billingham then put together their best stand of the match with 52 before it was broken by Gary Pratt. Shafiq then came back to claim two wickets in two balls in the 18th over and the final two wickets fell in Josh Dowson’s next over with a catch and a run out.
Billingham ended 111 all out with Josh Dowson taking three for 18, Shafiq three for 19 and Sam Wood two for 18.
In Richmond’s reply they lost Tom Dowson with just four on the board but 63 from Gary Pratt, 29 not out from Rob Carr and 15 not out for Mike Layfield gave Richmondshire an eight-wicket victory.
They now play Darlington in the final at Feethams on Thursday 23rd June at 6.30pm.
Friday’s game was the Collingwood Cup Hundred second round at Marske. As a League 1 side Marske received 18 runs start but even with those could only manage 65 all out. Shaun Charlton taking three for 11, Gary Pratt two for 4 and junior Jake Percival two for 17.
Richmondshire took only 62 ball to knock off the runs. 16 year old Jake Percival again impressing with 29 from 12 balls. Richmondshire will now play Darlington in the quarter finals.
Richmondshire rounded off the perfect week with a visit to Thornaby for Saturday’s league fixture. Thornaby won the toss and put Richmondshire in, opening up the opportunity to take 25 points.
Richmondshire lost Bob Carr to go seven for 1 but a stand between Tom Dowson (41) and Mike Layfield (32) took the score on to 85. A mini collapse took them to 92 for four but 42 from Gary Pratt, 62 not out from Matty Price and a final flourish of 23 from 12 balls by Tom Brooks gave a final total of 226 for 6.
Thornaby were progressing well at 142 for 3 but the spin of Shafiq (three for 60) and Tom Brooks (four for 38) saw them all out for 177.
The 25 point victory saw Richmondshire gain ground on the league leaders, Middlesbrough took 20 points and still top the table with 183 points, thanks to an extra game. Barnard Castle lost to Stockton and only gained 9 points leaving them only three points ahead of Richmondshire with 164.
Richmondshire and Barnard Castle meet at Richmond’s Hurgill Road ground on Saturday.
The 2nds also had a good victory playing at home against Whitby. Whitby chose to bat and Richmondshire had them in trouble with Harvey Websdale and Jake Percival taking early wickets.
From 76 for six a stand of 101 put Whitby back on track to finish with 222 all out. Jake Percival ended with four for 52 and Harvey Websdale three for 56.
At 46 for three it looked like a tight finish but a stand between Alex Percival (35) and Brad Elsworth (50) put Richmondshire within 100 of Whitby’s total. James Kelly (31) and Joe Shields (50 not out) then added 50 and Jake Percival knocked off the remaining runs with 12 from six balls. 25 points keep Richmondshire second in the table.
The 4th team played Norton at home and having held Norton to 176 for 8, with three wickets each for Michael Platt and Gaz Wood ended happy to hold on for a draw at 114 for 8. Six points keeping them mid-table.
The 5ths had a dramatic last over victory at Barton. Tom Gibbs starred taking five for 25 as Barton made 186 for 9. He then made 46 not out with support from Joe White (38) as Richmondshire claimed a two wicket win with five balls to spare.
On Sunday the 3rds kept up their progress in the Sunday Premier League with a win against Hartlepool. Put into bat Richmondshire made 255 for seven with 91 from Jamie Stead and 67 from Brad Elsworth.
The junior bowlers were well to the fore as Hartlepool were dismissed for 148. Joe White topped the figures with three for 23 James Cox took two for 30 and there was a wicket each for Jake Percival, Andy Dade and Mark Walker.
25 points puts the just four points behind league leaders Darlington.
