The 1st XI were looking to get back to winning ways on a weekend after a run of poor results in the league.
It all seemed to be going well when Shildon won the toss and put Northallerton into bat in dark overcast conditions.
The antipodean duo of McKendry and Dinger started well, with McKendry bowling both the opener and number 3 with fantastic deliveries.
At the other end, Dinger was unlucky to have a couple of dropped catches, before off spinner Rob Nevison took over and struck twice quickly to have Northallerton reeling at 60-5.
Shildon were well on top, but as the sun started to burn through, the runs started flowing a little more easily.
Northallerton’s number 4 and 7 both batted sensibly and defiantly to make 83 and 52 respectively. Once Shildon did make the breakthrough after an impressive 140 run partnership, it ended quite quickly with Garbutt taking 3 wickets and Dinger the other 2 to finish off the Northallerton innings on 219.
The chase didn’t get off to the best start with McKendry run out excellently by the opposition captain, only for Dinger to stride to the crease who showed some of his classical timing and stroke, making on his way to 52 from only 38 balls with 11 4s.
Upton had been playing second fiddle to Dinger but started to score more freely after his exit.
After losing Forster as his next partner, he was joined by Horner who played well for his 19, interrupted mid-innings by cramp in his recovering right knee.
With 64 needed, a loose shot from Upton was caught on the boundary for 69 and began the collapse. Another brilliant direct hit from Northallerton’s oversea amateur ran Telford out cheaply, with only Nevison then reaching double figures as Shildon were all out 177, 42 runs short.
Shildon need to bounce back as they look to climb the table rather than continuing to fall towards the bottom two. They travel to bottom of the league Hartlepool this weekend.
The 2nd XI have also been on a difficult run. Both teams have excelled in mid-week cup competitions but struggled to find the same form on a Saturday.
Batting first, Shildon managed to reach 148-9 from their 40 overs, Dhanesh at number 3 batting well for his 46 with 9 4s, ably assisted by Andy Paterson with 35 not out.
He was himself well supported by new signing Shirzad and Waites in getting the Shildon score from 90-6 to 144-8. The bowling did not go as well, with Cliffe chasing the target down in 16 overs with a brilliant 100 from the home team opener.
The 2nd XI host Aldbrough St John at the Sportsfield this weekend.
This Sunday sees Shildon in a finals day at Coundon CC.
They will be facing Coundon in the first semi-final at 1pm with the final held later in the day, hopefully bringing home the first silverware of the season.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
