North Yorkshire South Durham ECB Premier League Week 4 Round-up

In the Premier Division the games at Bishop Auckland, Stockton, Saltburn and Darlington RA were all non-starters, whilst at Middlesbrough 27.3 overs were bowled before the players were driven from the field, but at least this provided the chance for bonus points to be gathered before the inevitable soggy denouement.

Given the threatening overhead conditions at Acklam Park there was little surprise when Stokesley inserted their hosts after winning the toss, and they made the most of favourable bowling conditions reducing Boro to 29-4 at one stage before Ankar Malik (25no from 58 balls) dug in and found support from the more free flowing Sam Gaudie (21 from 15 balls including 3 fours and a six).

Nevertheless, Stokesley looked to have the upper hand when the players were finally driven from the field with Boro standing on 96-7. Harry Peirson (3-24) did the early damage with a fine opening burst, and his three wickets took his tally for the season to 11 placing him third on the Premier wicket taking list. In team terms Middlesbrough collected two valuable batting points while Stokesley picked up three for their efforts in the field.

Meanwhile up the coast at Marske the only other Premier game to get a start saw the home team standing on 73-2 against visitors Marton when the rains came down after 21.3 overs. Reyan Nadeem (25no) looked to be settling home nerves after two early strikes from John Woods (2-28), and both teams were able to collect one bonus point for their afternoon’s work.

The net result in Premier Division terms was very little change with Barnard Castle’s 12-point lead at the top of the table remaining intact, Stokesley the biggest benefactors as they moved level with third-placed Darlington after their bonus points haul. The battle at the other end of the table is intriguing with just five points now covering the seven teams occupying the lower placings.

It was in Division One where the only two results of the day were seen, Richmondshire and Bedale being the only outposts where a significant amount of play was possible.

At Hurgill Road table-toppers Guisborough were the visitors and after a shaky start which saw them reduced to 38-5 they gradually clawed their way back to a decent total of 167-8 from their 42 overs. Shaun Charlton (4-49) and Joe White (3-53) were key for the home team, while it was a tremendous unbeaten 62 (76 balls) from Brett Roberts, aided by 34 from Matt Fishburn in a seventh wicket stand of 84, that underpinned the Priorymen’s recovery.

An early strike in Richmond’s reply raised the visitors’ spirits, however half centuries from Joe White, Raam Raj and Sam Winter eased the Dalesmen to a comfortable 8-wicket win with five overs to spare.

From Guisborough’s point of view the four bonus points they accumulated meant they were just able to retain their place at the head of the table although Stockton moved to within one point of the leaders with a Duckworth Lewis victory at Bedale.

An opening stand of 99 between Xavier Lockey (41) and Will Nolan (52 from 56 balls) provided Bedale with the perfect start and laid the foundations for an eventual total of 206, Veeraj Singh and Billy Shackleton picking up five wickets apiece. Stockton were then set a DLS target of 170 and eventually eased over the line with just two wickets to spare after a fine spell of bowling from Dan Edwards (6-50).