Shildon Railway Cricket Club suffered a disappointing start to the new season in the Durham Cricket League when the 1st XI fell to a heavy defeat at former Senior League club Horden.
Excuses can be made, in that the team was far from full strength but there is no doubting that this was a well below par performance with the team managing only 40 runs for the loss of 9 wickets.
In reply Horden lost 3 wickets, ensuring the Railwaymen of their first point.
At the Sportsfield the 2nd team game was called off after a wicket inspection by one of the umpires.
Club chairman, John Brennan said, “We’d worked hard preparing a wicket but the recent heavy rain had soaked the surface and left standing water.
“On Saturday morning we mopped up as best we could but to no avail.
“If the playing surface had been covered this game would have been played.”
“However, this is unlikely to happen again as the club is pleased to announce that it will soon take delivery of a set of new mobile covers,” added the chairman, who was hardly able to hide his delight.
“The mobile covers cost £4,200 and we have been trying to save towards their purchase, without much success, for the past five years.
“Now, thanks to a generous grant of £2,000 from Shildon Children and Young People Small Grants Scheme and an amazing anonymous donation of £1,000, we are able to do so.
“It is impossible to express how grateful we are to the Town Council and our anonymous benefactor,” Mr Brennan concluded.
The club is aiming to move forward with two junior and two senior sides and needs support from the community to continue this journey.
Anyone interested in helping or sponsoring the club should contact John on 773663. Middleton Road Garage will sponsor the F15 team, Shildon Locos, in the new DCL competition, in which coloured clothing and a pink ball will be used. The club is greatly appreciative for the garage’s backing.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
