Street lose but still close the gap at top

THE race for honours in the Durham Cricket Board Under-15 Junior League is hotting up nicely.

Chester-le-Street moved to within one point of leaders South Shields despite going down by five wickets.

Although the Ropery Lane outfit lost the game they still picked up enough bonus points to leave them within touching distance of the trophy with all to play for going into the final two games.

The Cestrians batted first, posting 96 in 20 overs in losing just one wicket as Aaradya Tiwari and Lewis Kilkenny both scored 43 apiece.

Joshua Leslie forced the only wicket for Shields with a run-out.

Sebastian Hughes-Pinan then bagged 3-9 from four overs - but an unbeaten 27 from Josh Leslie in 41 supported by 25 from Ben Scott guided Shields home with six balls to spare.

Hetton Lyons proved too strong for neighbours Eppleton, winning by 39 runs.

The Lyons batted first after winning the toss, reaching 109-6 from 20 overs. Eoin Nicholson (3-27) was the pick of the bowlers for Eppleton.

Josh Bell top-scored for the Lyons with 27 while Jack Hedley added 17.

In reply, Eppleton struggled to get going, being bowled out for just 70 in 18 overs.

Jye Richardson top-scored with 19 as Jack Hedley struck with 3-3 along with 3-17 from Bell.

Whitburn brushed aside Sacriston by 76 runs after being put into bat.

Whitburn amassed 150-1 in their 20 overs as Ben Kennedy top-scored with 52 supported by 47 from Jude Ramsey and 34 from Mason Bell.

Joshua Hornsby picked up the only Sacriston wicket.

In reply, Sacriston could only manage 74 - losing three wickets in the process as Alfie McKie finished unbeaten on 49.

Philadelphia edged home by eight runs against Gateshead Fell in a low-scoring affair.

The Fell won the toss and asked Philadelphia to bat.

Kristian Jefferson top-scored with 31 but no other Philadelphia batsman got going, closing their innings on 99-7.

In reply Louis Sakeld showed some resistance with 28 but Fell needed six to win from the final over with nine wickets down and could not achieve their target.

Matthew Robinson bagged 3-24 while Davidson (2-11) and Jefferson (2-19) both struck.

Marsden enjoyed a 37-run victory over Boldon.

Marsden won the toss and elected to bat, totalling 105-4 from 20 overs as Zack Curry top-scored with 51 which included five fours and one six.

In reply Boldon struggled, mustering only 68-6 at the end of their 20 overs.

Oliver Pallas was the only Boldon batsman to contribute with 25.

Josh Smith (3-10) and Lucy Hughes (2-15) struck for Marsden.