Shildon Railway Cricket Club’s 1st team had previously lost three league games in a row, which had seen them plummet from the top of the Darlington Building Society North Yorks & South Durham Premier Cricket League Division 3 to fifth place.
But the side has proven fighting qualities and despite not being at full strength, has fought back with successive league wins and F15 wins in the past fortnight.
At home to title hopefuls Normanby Hall, in a game sponsored by Neil Franklin, Shildon, and without skipper and leading run scorer Greg Upton, Shildon posted 206, with Michael Lumley top scoring on 63.
Robert Nevison then tore through the opposition batting, taking 6 wickets for a meagre 7 runs, as Normanby Hall were skittled out for just 74 runs.
The side then made the long midweek trip to Bedale in the League F15 competition, where Michael Lumley repeated his heroics, again scoring 63 in the side’s 141 for 5.
Bedale were then reduced to 54 for 7, as Rob Nevison again excelled with the ball, taking 3 for 3.
Saturday’s trip to Whitby was threatened by the weather and Shildon, batting first, looked to be in serious trouble before numbers 8 and 9 batsmen Adam Bayles (20) and Jack Mensforth (24) helped the side reach 110 all out.
In a tense finish, Shildon battled to victory, as Whitby were bowled out for 91. Bret Upton (2-28), Phil Garbutt (3-19), Rob Nevison (3-30) and Jack Mensforth (2-2) were the men who saw them home.
The win takes the side back up to second place in the division.
The 2nd team went to Seaton Carew for the final of the Hornby Cup but were probably relieved when the game was abandoned at the eleven overs mark, with Thornaby racing away at 89 for 1.
The much depleted side then suffered a heavy defeat away to Newton Aycliffe 1st team in the F15 competition and was unable to fulfil league games against Preston and Rockcliffe Park.
Reluctantly, the club has had to withdrawn the 2nd team from the remaining league and cup fixtures.
“This decision lies heavily with us but we honestly had no choice due to the lack of players available for selection in the coming weeks,” said an extremely disappointed club secretary, John Brennan.
On Saturday the 1st team is at home to Newton Aycliffe in the Division 3 match, sponsored by Paul Trotter.
On Wednesday the team, sponsored by Middleton Road Garage, goes to high-flying Barnard Castle in the F15 competition.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
