Games are coming thick and fast for Shildon Railway Cricket Club and due to the increasing number of senior players, a third social side has been formed, which will play mid-week friendlies, writes John Brennan. As the Crier goes to press, the 2nd team play at Barton in the DDL Division C Cup Final, aiming to win the club’s first silverware of the season as the 1st team entertain a strong Barnard Castle side in the semi-final of the Readman Cup.
Last Saturday, the 1st XI welcomed Northallerton to Securicorp Park in the North Yorks & South Durham Premier Cricket League Division 2 game. Shildon chose to bat, and Jacob Dinger’s 102 not out took the innings to 259 for 7, prompting the declaration after 46 overs. Northallerton responded well and looked comfortable at 69 for 1, but the introduction of Joe Knowles (4-47) saw the middle order decimated, allowing Rob Nevison (2-35) and Dinger (2-8) to finish off the opposition in the 44th over for 195. A solid win but the Railwaymen will be disappointed at having bowled 21 wides.
Meanwhile, the 2nd team made the trip to Eryholme, in the Darlington District Cricket League Division C fixture and returned home with 20 points after a cracking win. Choosing to bat first, the Railwaymen reached 242 for 7 with Tom Borthwick 66 and Shane Rowley 40 being top scorers. The hosts were then bowled out for 159 with Kieran O’Leary 3-33 and Tyler Claydon 3-24 doing most of the damage.
On 24 May, the 1st XI made another trip to Feethams, in what proved to be a very exciting Readman Cup quarter final. Darlington’s opening pair put on 110 for the first wicket but the Railwaymen responded well with some tight bowling, as the 20 overs saw the home side reach 137 for 4. Then Upton and Forster took the opening stand to 67 before James Haggaty spurred the Railwaymen on to a great win, firing 37 from 26 balls, as Shildon made 138 for 4 with an over to spare.
The following evening saw the 2nd XI entertain Etherley, in the semi-final of the DDL Division C Cup. Despite being hammered on the night, (Etherley 179 for 2, Shildon 52 all out), Shildon managed to progress to the final, as Etherley had played two ineligible players. The League Management Committee had no option other than to award Shildon the tie.
On 27 May, the 1st XI was back in league action when they travelled to league leaders Bedale. The Railwaymen were without skipper Wickens and the in-form Haggaty, but an opening stand of 99 (G. Upton 46, S. Forster 50) put them in a good position. Despite J. Dinger with 31 and L. Horner’s 48, the score of 248 for 7 proved to be totally inadequate. Bedale’s reply was phenomenal! Danial Rafiq hammered 106 in just 50 balls as the home side cruised to the win, scoring 249 for 3 in just under 28 overs. “Wow! Sometimes, you must just accept being second best. Rafiq was exceptional,” said a Shildon spokesman.
Also on 27 May, the 2nd XI squared up again, at home, to Etherley in the league fixture. This time there was no doubting the manner of the victory. The visitors made 175 for 4 in their 40 overs and this looked likely to be enough to win the game. The Railwaymen, however, had other ideas, as Tom Borthwick (25), Ashley Raine (47), Chris Young (37 not out) and Nathan Lawson (50 not out) steered the team home to 176 for 2 in the 25th over.
On 30 May, the 2nd team made progress in the FB Howell Trophy, after a convincing win at Aldborough St. John. Shildon scored 132 for 7 (S. Rowley 29, C. Young 34, M. Summerbell 32 not out) and bowled out their hosts for 89 (M. Summerbell 3 for 31).
This Saturday, 10 June, league fixtures see the 1st XI at another fine old ground, Acklam Park, to face Middlesbrough and the 2nd XI are at home to Eryholme.
Keep abreast of developments via the club’s Facebook page and the play-cricket websites for NYSD and DDL leagues.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
