Shildon Railway CC 1st XI got back on track with a commanding 62-run victory away to Northallerton, producing a complete team performance with both bat and ball.
Having been inserted after Northallerton won the toss and elected to field, Shildon were made to work hard on a testing surface. Openers Rob Nevison (27) and Loyd Horner (28) laid a solid platform before Aayush Lekhwani anchored the middle order with a patient and valuable 45 from 79 balls.
With wickets falling regularly, contributions throughout the order proved crucial. Tom Jacobs added a fluent 27, while Farhan Ali’s quickfire 15 from just eight deliveries provided a welcome late boost as Shildon were eventually dismissed for 231 in the 47th over.
Overseas amateur Aayush Lekhwani set the tone for the bowlers with a high quality opening spell, finishing with figures of 3-13 from eight overs, including four maidens.
His accuracy and movement left the home side reeling early and ensured they never gained any momentum in the chase.
Rob Nevison backed him up superbly, claiming 2-23 from eight overs, while Shane Rowley produced another excellent spell, taking 3-40 from nine overs as wickets continued to tumble throughout the innings. Phil Garbutt chipped in with a wicket, and young star Tom Jacobs wrapped up the innings with the final breakthrough as Northallerton were bowled out for 169 in the 40th over.
The win secured an important 25 point haul in the promotion battle.
Meanwhile, Shildon Railway CC 2nd XI returned to winning ways with a five-wicket victory over Northallerton 4th XI at Hackworth Road, chasing down 194 with more than seven overs to spare.
After losing the toss, Shildon were asked to field first and immediately settled into a disciplined rhythm with the ball.
Northallerton were restricted to 193-4 from their 40 overs thanks to a controlled bowling display and sharp work in the field.
Vinnie McCormick was the pick of the attack, returning figures of 2-42 from his nine overs. Andrew Clegg and Nathan Lawson also claimed a wicket apiece, while Kate Ibbertson and Finley Abbott also played their part, Abbott proving particularly economical with 5 runs from 2.5 overs, as Shildon ensured the target remained within reach.
The chase got off to an uneven start. Captain Clegg struck a quick fire 11, including a six, before falling, while Paul Rayner and Nathan Lawson were dismissed cheaply to leave the hosts under early pressure.
JP Reynolds then took charge of the innings with a career best knock. Batting through the chase, he finished unbeaten on 73 from 99 balls, striking 12 boundaries in an innings full of quality.
Vinnie McCormick joined Reynolds to produce the match defining partnership. McCormick compiled a valuable 43 from 68 balls, hitting seven fours as the pair steadily wrestled control away from the visitors.
Although McCormick fell before the target was reached, Simon Reynolds arrived to support son JP, and the pair guided Shildon over the line without further alarm. Shildon finished on 194-5 from 32.3 overs, completing an impressive chase to claim a deserved five wicket victory.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
