KIRK’S BIG BASH CAN’T HALT TABLE-TOPPERS
DETERMINED RYHOPE SUNK BY SIX-WICKET EMBLETON IN THRILLING BATTLE AWAY TO CROOK
Ryhope went down by 34 runs at Division Two leaders Crook in an entertaining game on Saturday.
Crook enjoyed runs throughout the side as they declared on 203-9 after 41.5 overs, with Josh Holmes (32) backed by Stuart Newton (29), Steven Chapman (27), Andrew Burgess (24), Alan O’Prey (22), Liam Stevens (20) and Andrew Pratt (19).
For Ryhope, Sagar Udeshi (3-40) and Josh Dick (3-57) were the pick of the bowlers, while Jonny Errington, Connor Cheal and Jonny Hayes also struck.
In the visitors’ reply, opener Daniel Douglas hit 25, with five fours, but the side were reeling at 34-4 and 59-6 before Liam Kirk rallied Ryhope, bashing seven boundaries and a six in a 40-ball 45. Jonny Hayes added a valiant 30, with five fours, at No 10 before Crook dismissed their opponents for 169 in the 31st over. Jonny Errington hit 19 and Chris Errington 17. David Embleton had a day to savour for Crook, plundering 6-62, while Stevens took 2-53.
Marsden are second, after an excellent run-chasing win, at Hylton.
The home side scored a decent total of 207-7, with Steven-Lee Merrington hitting 70 not out, Kevin Mustard 23 and Marlon Black 34. On the bowling front, there were two wickets apiece for Steven Nielson and Mark Woodhead.
In reply, Marsden opener Chris Mann scored an excellent 114 not out and Mathew Evans added an unbeaten 69 to seal an eight-wicket win.
Langley Park easily beat Silksworth by 106 runs after scoring 237-7, with Craig Robertson (55) Jonna Lane (75) and Michael Gladstone 928) leading the way. Paul Brigham was the pick of the bowlers, returning 4-27.
When Silksworth batted, Craig Robertson had them reeling 5-26, with Niall Bennison and taking two wickets each, to bowl out the visitors for 131. Opener Andy Barrass top-scored with 55 and Brigham was 23 not out.
Peterlee fought well for a draw at Ushaw Moor, ending just 11 runs short of victory.
Ushaw Moor made 214-8 declared, thanks largely to Lewis Cook (72, with seven fours and four sixes), and Aaron Proud (62, with five fours and three sixes). Meade and Craig both struck twice for Peterlee, with Joe Spalding grabbing 3-20.
Peterlee’s reply began well, with Shrey Sanjiva Bhatt (28), JP Meade (89, with 12 boundaries) and Connor (34, with five fours and two sixes) all impressing.
They closed on 204-8 after 50 overs, though, with Lee Hayton taking 3-51 and Patrick Stephenson 2-52.
Evenwood beat Boldon CA by 22 runs, in a close game.
Evenwood made 176-7, with Simon Gleeson taking the first three wickets for 26 runs. Stuart Johnson returned figures of 3-58.
Boldon CA responded with 154 all out, openers Stuart Smith (30) and David Johnston (32) top-scoring, but Faisal Hussain took a brilliant haul of 5-32.
In Division One, Durham City could not stop Whiteleas and Harton’s impressive start to the season as they succumbed to a 56-run defeat – as the top-flight newcomers moved top by a point.
City’s bowls started brilliantly and had the hosts struggling on 29-4 and 38-5, but a 124-run sixth-wicket partnership rallied the hosts.
Skipper Owen Peterson hit 10 fours and two sixes in a superb innings of 90, backed by 40 from Abdul Ameer, with four boundaries.
Alex Thomas added 22 runs down the order to see Leas reach 199 all out. Andrew Hutchinson plundered 4-38 in his 12 overs, while Paul Morales took 3-45 and Nick Howe 2-11.
Durham flew out of the traps in their response, led by Jake McCann, reaching 71 from 16 overs before Rob Scorer captured the prized wicket of the prolific Australian, for 33, with four fours.
Nick Howe fell for 31, with five boundaries, to leave City 116-2, and their chances were rocked by the dismissal of Jonny Harding for 40, with seven fours, at 120-4. Only Andrew Hutchinson (11 not out) reached double figures after the top three as the visitors struggled to 143 all out.
Leas’ overseas star Ameer bagged 5-41, his second sixover stint proving decisive. Chris Nichol added 2-17.
Bottom club Horden finally secured their first win of the season at home to Tudhoe. This win moved them up to mid-table and the visitors replaced them at the bottom.
Tudhoe batted first and made 120 all out, with opener Abhiram Joshi hitting 37 and Stuart Ord 28, with Dan Brown taking 4-31 and Scott Birks 3-20.
When Horden batted, opener Adam Dixon scoring 43 not out to inspire their winning score of 124-3.
Esh Winning had a winning draw at Dawdon and batted first, scoring 187.
Openers David Lawlor(33) and John Carmedy (26) gave them a decent foundation, ably assisted by David Watson (48) and Paul Chivers (26). David Coates (3-37) and Ryan Consitt (4-17) took the honours for Dawdon.
Dawdon’s response was to score 152-8, with opener Alan Anderson scoring a resilient 54 and Craig Price 23, before a little cameo at the end from Steven Gale, with 20 not out, to earn them the draw.
Bill Quay defeated visiting Easington by 36 runs.
The Tynesiders posted 186, with opener Chris Little bagging 64 and Jeff Tudor hitting 54, with John Leslie returning 4-40.
In reply, Easington managed only 150 all out, with Ryan Higgins scoring 42 and Michael Orridge taking a match-winning 5-30.
Castle Eden won by 34 runs at home to Littletown.
They made 177-9, with opener Liam Irwin making 48 andAlan Unsworth 32, with Bryan Conlon (3-38) and Archit Goenka (3-28), the pick of the bowling.
Littletown started brightly with opener Matt Dench scoring 47 and Gregg Arundel making 29, but a devastating spell of 5-38 from Jeremy Warner ripped through the batting line-up and he was supported by Keith Bailey (2-19) and Ryan Ball (2-27).
Seaham Park had a ‘winning’ draw at Philadelphia, inspired by Kit Allan’s 88 in a total of 238-7. Dale Shaw added 62 before Shaun Hauxwell fired 63 in Phili’s response (182-7).