Shildon 1st XI produced a determined effort to earn a hard fought draw away to Saltburn after the hosts racked up an imposing 324-8 from their 50 overs.
Shildon were stretched by availability issues and further disrupted by injuries in the field, but still managed to show character throughout a demanding afternoon.
Saltburn took full advantage of a quick outfield and favourable batting conditions to build a substantial total.
Despite the pressure, Shildon’s bowlers stuck to their task well. Phil Garbutt was the pick of the attack with an excellent return of 3-34, consistently applying control and picking up key wickets.
He was well supported by Shane Rowley, who claimed 2-63, and Joe Knowles with 2-85, as the visitors shared the workload.
For long periods Shildon kept the scoring in check, but Saltburn were able to accelerate in the closing overs, capitalising on tiring bowlers and fielding disruptions to push their total beyond the 300 mark.
Facing a daunting chase, Shildon made an encouraging start with the bat.
Openers Aayush Lekhwani and Loyd Horner combined effectively, putting on 61 for the first wicket and laying a solid platform.
Horner looked in good touch for his 33 before his dismissal triggered a difficult period for the visitors.
A cluster of wickets saw Shildon slip to 88-4, with Saltburn sensing an opportunity to press for victory.
However, Lekhwani remained composed at the crease, anchoring the innings with a mature and patient knock.
Batting with discipline and good awareness of the match situation, Lekhwani guided Shildon through the middle stages, finding support from Rowley, who contributed a valuable 26.
Together with the lower order, they gradually rebuilt the innings and absorbed the pressure from the home side’s attack.
With wickets in hand and time running down, Shildon’s focus turned to survival, and they executed their plans effectively.
Lekhwani finished unbeaten on 81, a crucial innings that underpinned the rearguard effort.
Shildon closed on 195-7, safely negotiating the remaining overs to secure a well earned draw after a testing day in the field.
Shildon 2nd XI followed up last week’s win with another despite only having 10 players.
Asked to bowl first O’Keeffe (0-15) bowled tightly, but it was stand-in skipper Marquis (2-22), who made the break through with he, and keeper Moseby, combining to remove two Etherley batsman early doors.
Jawad (2-39) and Matty Franklin (1-24) also contributed, but it was loanee Jacob Dinger who starred with the ball.
Bowling superbly he took 5-23 off his 9 overs and always seemed to take a wicket at just the right time.
Etherley crumbled to 130 all out and once again the team were superb in the field.
Special mentions to Campbell Davison and Emily Marquiss who didn’t let anything past them all afternoon.
Shildon knew 130 was a decent score and given a lot of regulars were out, had to bat smart.
Moseby endured a nasty finger injury whilst keeping so Marquiss opted to give Ajit Kurian the nod to open with regular Rayner and the pair added a valuable 20 before Rayner departed for 6.
Ajit played some lovely shots before he himself was out for a classy 20 and Shildon were 30-2.
Moseby strode to the crease at 4, in bullish mood after being medically cleared to bat but Shildon had their backs against the ropes at 40-5.
At this point Dinger joined Moseby at the crease, with the pair batted sensibly, defending the good ball and punishing anything wayward.
Dinger batted superbly for his 54 not out to add to his 5fer and Moseby played the anchor role scoring 39 not out.
The pair add 91 and it was only fitting that Dinger got to his 50 one ball before hitting the winning runs.
Next week the 1st XI will look to get back to winning ways at home to Northallerton, with the 2nd XI looking for three wins a row on their travels in the reverse fixture.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
