Shildon Railway Cricket Club is enjoying a busy time of it, as the North Yorkshire and South Durham season gets into full swing and both senior teams are more than holding their own in their new league.
On Saturday 2nd May the 1st team went off as leaders to face second placed Blackhall and returned with a resounding ten wicket victory.
The Seasiders were bowled out for 102 with Rob Nevison taking 5 for 20.
The Railwaymen’s opening pair of skipper Greg Upton (72 not out) and young Adam Jenkin (23 not out) then saw the side home to an emphatic win.
The weather then intervened and caused the cancellation of the 2nd team’s match on the following day.
An under-strength 1st team, missing strike bowlers Chris Young and Richie Arnott, paid Bishop Auckland a visit on the Bank-holiday Monday and on a difficult wicket, made 201 with some stubborn contributions down the order.
Adam Jenkin, the Upton brothers and Phil Garbutt each made scores in the 30s but it was Matthew Franklin’s 18 not out and 7 from Dylan Rutherford which took the score past the 200 mark.
Bishop Auckland then dug in and managed to hang on for a draw, with 111 for 7 from 50 overs.
Hard work by volunteers to clear large pools left by heavy overnight rain last Saturday morning proved very worthwhile, as the 1st team bowled out visitors Newton Aycliffe for 88, with Bret Upton 3 for25 and Phil Garbutt 3 for 16 doing the damage.
Bret Upton’s 39 not out saw the home side ease to a 7 wicket win.
On Sunday the 2nd team returned from Seaton Carew with 25 points, rather than a stick of rock, after a resounding victory.
Batting first, the Railwaymen made 221 for 7, Ben Trotter 61 and Michael Condron 91 not out, being the main contributors.
The hosts were then bowled out for 133, skipper Matthew Summerbell 4 for 28 and a junior Jack Mensforth 4 for 33 being the best of the bowlers.
The 1st team progressed to the semi-final of the Ken Welsh Cup on Monday evening after another resounding win at Newton Aycliffe.
Shildon made 118 with good contributions from the Uptons, Phil Garbutt and Tom Newton.
Chris Young and Rob Nevison then showed no mercy as they took 5 for 12 and 3 for 18 respectively, with the home side collapsing to 42 all out.
“We are really pleased with the start that we’ve made to the season. We expected our 1st team to be up amongst the leaders but it’s nice to be at the very top at this stage. The 2nd team’s third place in their division, is particularly pleasing,” said chairman John Brennan.
“The 1st team lost at home to Blackhall 1st team in the Brunton Cup, so this gives us an idea of the standard we’re aspiring towards,” he added.
Saturday sees the 1st team at Saltburn, with the 2nd team at home to Saltburn on Sunday. Next Wednesday ( May 20th) sees the 1st team at home in the Ken Welsh Cup semi-final against, as yet, unknown opposition.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
