EASINGTON SLIP UP AS TITLE RACE TAKES TWIST
BANK HOLIDAY CRICKET ROUND-UP AS SEASON NEARS CLOSE
Leaders Easington saw their Readers Durham Cricket League title hopes dented after they lost against Tudhoe.
The visitors made 205-9, with David Tarn scoring 75 and Omar Shahid smashing 53 off just 28 balls, which included five fours and four sixes.
Tudhoe batted well and made the runs required, thanks to Roshan Jayatissa who made 50 and Daniel Brown 48, to secure the victory
Easington’s hopes were boosted a touch, however, when second-placed Crook could only draw against already-relegated Mainsforth.
Crook made 122-6 declared but the visitors clung on for the draw as they ended up on 58-8.
Horden needed survival points as they welcomed Seaham Park. The visitors made 165-9 and Horden were 105 all out and remain second bottom.
Two teams still in trouble met each other, as Whiteleas &Harton Welfare welcomed Bill Quay and the game ended in a draw. The visitors made 201-3 and Lead held on for the draw scoring 116-6.
Struggling Marsden entertained Esh Winning and the visitors made 154-7 declared before the home side replied with 157-5, to claim a vital victory.
Philadelphia hosted Durham City and made 226-8. City were all out for 62, meaning a commanding win for the home side by 164 runs.
In the NEPL Premier Division, Eppleton had a 15-point cushion over Felling in their quest to avoid relegation as they welcomed champions South North.
The home side batted first and made just 95 all out, as Lee Crozier took an excellent 5-26 alongside Simon Birtwisle who claimed 3-16, with only Joseph Coyne resisting with 38.
The champions soon scored the required runs, as Birtwisle with the bat scored 34, although Joseph Coyne did take 3-25, in a total of 97-3.
Sacriston needed points in the relegation scrap when they travelled to Hetton Lyons. The Lyons batted first and made 224-8 declared, thanks to 71 from Jack Burnham and 60 not out from Shaun Birbeck.
In reply, Sacriston were all out for 95, as Carl Watson took 4-26 and Jack Burnham claimed 3-30, despite Reece Carr scoring 34.
The two bottom clubs met each other, and Felling gained a huge win over Stockton to leapfrog them off bottom spot.
Chester-Le-Street journeyed to Benwell Hill and made 279-7, thanks to John Coxon scoring 102 from 137 balls, which included eight fours and a six, while Andrew Smith added 60.
The Hill struggled against the bowling of Stephen Cantwell (4-30), Andrew Smith (3-25) and Liam Burgess (3-26) and were all out for just 168.
Durham Cricket Academy were all out for 157 against Tynemouth. Ben Seabrook made 50 while Wesley Bedja and Ryan Macciocchi, each took three wickets.
Tynemouth replied with 159-6 to win the game, and had Michael Jones to thank for his 79 runs, despite Faizan Hussain taking 3-41.
Whitburn were at home to Newcastle and were 160 all out, as Alexander Simpson took an excellent 6-38, with only Luke Smith resisting with 41.
Newcastle then made required runs, scoring 162-4, mainly thanks to Michael Richardson who scored 67 not out and Steven Allen made 32.