As the BR made it two Hundred semi-finals in two years, they were looking to go for back-to-back finals as they travelled to Middlesbrough.
Taking the ball first, Shildon bowled tight yet again to limit boundaries. Cordie McKendry, Jacob Dinger, Ste Forster, Shane Rowley and Joe Knowles worked to restrict the home side to 154 from their 100 balls.
On another day it could have been less, but for some wayward catches, however, it was a target the BR felt was in range.
Skipper Greg Upton strode out to bat with McKendry and began a barrage of boundaries.
With Boro opting to bowl the same bowler for 10 balls in a row, Upton took out 33 of the runs during that 10 ball onslaught, striking five boundaries and clearing the rope three times in a belligerent 43 from just 16 balls.
McKendry and Sam Telford then ticked away a few more runs before Telford’s wicket brought Forster to the crease. He’d openly say he’s found form with the bat this year, but when you’re in a cup match there’s not many better than Forster to see a side through and that’s just what he did.
McKendry went shortly after Forster’s arrival following a short partnership and it brought Dinger to the crease who snicked off shortly after before Loyd Horner came to the crease.
A fine 100 campaign last year saw him return to something like that form here as he struck 21 in a match-winning partnership with Forster of 55, leaving just 11 to win from 12 when Knowles came in following Horner’s stumping.
Forster struck a boundary at the start of the final set of 10 before a single meant one hit was needed.
Knowles struck the winning runs with a lucky edge over the infield which ran away to the boundary.
Forster finished with a match winning 46* hitting 7 fours along the way and showed just what he’s capable of.
Stockton or Marton await with the final scheduled for Sunday 24th August.
Shildon then travelled to Rockliffe Park for another semi-final in the Fenwick Cup on Friday, winning convincingly to set up another finals day and a busy August of cricket.
Bowling first, Shildon restricted Rockliffe to 119/9 with McKendry, Forster and Knowles all taking three wickets apiece.
Shildon chased the target down comfortably, losing Wickins cheaply for 2, before Forster with 29 then Dinger (35*) and Young with a brilliant 46 off 24 balls including 2 x 4s and 4 x 6s saw the side home.
On Saturday the 1sts had a free weekend whilst the 2nds were blown away by league leaders Barningham at the BR in a 10-wicket rout.
Losing the toss, Shildon were put into bat and were almost immediately under pressure as Marquiss edged behind in the third over with the score on 11.
Imerson and Moseby added 15 before both fell with the score on 26.
Wickets continued to tumble as Lawson, Paterson, Clegg and Brown all fell cheaply leaving Shildon 59-7.
Only Young (33) and Reynolds (13) provided any sort of resistance, adding 28 to take the score to 87-8 when Young was caught behind.
Reynolds and Waites added 6 more runs before the team were all out for 93.
It was a disappointing total despite playing the league leaders, but Barningham proved why they top the table, knocking off the total with the minimum of fuss inside 12 overs for no loss.
Shildon picked up a valuable 2 bonus points, but need a win at Cliffe next Saturday to keep their slim hopes of avoiding relegation alive.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
