Felling make a last stand
TAIL-ENDERS SEE TYNESIDERS TO A SECOND WIN IN SUCCESSION
FELLING won for the second week in a row to ease their Division One relegation worries but only just!
They defeated the Durham Cricket Academy at High Heworth Lane by one wicket.
The Academy won the toss and decided to take first knock - but only managed to score 152 all out, thanks to tight bowling from opening bowlers Paul Leonard (2-33) and Chris Nicholls (1-30).
Harry Adair top-scored with 50 off just 29 balls, hammering 10 fours and a six.
Matthew Whitty (4-54) and Anthony Trotter (3-20) were the main wicket-takers.
Only Ben Seabrook troubled the scorers with 27 in addition to Adair’s aggressive innings.
Felling also found batting hard work as the Academy attack removed Philip Mustard, Dale Shaw and Edward Hurst with just 10 runs on the board.
However, Josh Eaton and Graham Wright then put on 50 for the fifth wicket before Matthew Oswell (3-11) swung the match back their way - reducing the home side to 81-7.
Further wickets fell and at 120-9 the game was nearly over - but a last-wicket stand of 33 between Leonard, who made 28 not out off 80 balls, and last man Trotter, who registered 15 not out off 28 balls, squeezed them home as the winning run came from a no-ball! Benwell Hill travelled to champions South North, won the toss and batted first.
They made 228 all out, with Mark Dale (left) top-scoring with 65 from 86 balls, which included nine fours, Jonathan Wightman returning 4-57 and Richard Stanyon 3-36.
South North had to settle for the draw following the loss of two early wickets, as Luke Mussett tore through their batting with 5-45.
However, Simon Birtwisle held firm for 40 and David Edwards contributed 68 as the home side had to settle on 215-8.
Newcastle were at Tynemouth and could only muster 117 all out as Mark Watt returned an excellent 6-48.
The home side also struggled, but made the required runs for the loss of six wickets as Michael Jones hit 36, despite Oliver McGhee claiming 3-15.
Whitburn went to second-placed Chesterle-Street and asked the home side to bat first.
The Cestrians totalled 280-6 thanks to opener Kyle Davis, who made 118 from 107 balls which included 19 fours and a six.
He put on 169 for the first wicket with George Harrison, who notched 57, while Andrew Smith added 31. Mark Elliott took 3-73 from his 15 overs.
Whitburn then lost early wickets as Lee Henderson and Phillip Bell both made ducks to reduce them to 7-2.
Opener Jackson Edmondstone added 71 from 95 balls, which included 12 fours - but his team-mates struggled as Liam Burgess (3-21) bowled Chester to a 155-run success.
Sacriston were at home to Eppleton and the visitors racked up 251-6, Marcus Brown (67), Dean Musther (66) and Josh Coughlin (40), doing the business - Graeme Bridge with 3-49.
Sacriston are now bottom as they reached 172 all out to end up 79 runs short.
Reece Carr was the pick of the batting with 61 and late on Graeme Wrightson added 30.
However, Joseph Coyne (3-41) and Craig Scurr (3-48), bowled their side to victory.
Stockton made 218 all out at Hetton Lyons, Tom Hewison posting 47, Joe Hewison 56 and Chris Hooker cracking 64 from 75 balls.
Haidar Shafiq then claimed 4-22 and there were two wickets each for James Ward and Chris Hooker as the Teessiders triumphed.