Shildon Railway Cricket Club continued its good form, overwhelming Richmond in their North Yorkshire and South Durham Premier Cricket League Division 3 game, sponsored by Humbles Garage. With some proper cricket weather on show, Shildon won the toss and invited the visitors to bat.
A fine opening spell from Phil Garbutt soon had Richmond in trouble and his 10 overs yielded only 19 runs and produced another three wickets for the Shildon veteran. Garbutt was ably assisted by Lloyd Horner, whose spell of 10 overs produced figures of 2/18.
The returning Rob Nevison (2/11) and Shane Rowley (3/33) were the other successful bowlers, as Richmond’s innings finished on 95 all out.
In reply, Shildon made another quick start and, with another high scoring innings on the cards, had reached 36 when Forster fell lbw for 24.
Wicket keeper Adam Bayles, who had top scored with 50 in the previous match, also looked like he would take Shildon on to the win without further loss, but when both he (23) and Ellis Horner (26) fell in quick succession, it was left to Rob Nevison and Lloyd Horner to steer the side home to a seven wicket victory in the 24th over.
The result was another 20 points for Shildon, who lie sixth in the table, with three of the top five having played a game more than the Railwaymen. Just 12 points currently separate the top six teams.
Shildon now have two successive home games at the Hackworth Road Ground.
On Saturday 14 May, a 1.30pm start sees Wolviston provide the opposition in the next league fixture, sponsored by Shildon Smile Care. Then, on Monday 16 May from 6pm, Rockcliffe Park will be the opponents in the Ken Welsh Cup.
For more match photos, see Tom Clegg’s Flickr Photostream.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
