At the Hackworth Road Ground, Shildon Railway Cricket Club 1st XI entertained Malton in their latest North Yorks & South Durham Premier Cricket League Division 2 game.
On a damp, grey afternoon, the visitors won the toss and requested 10- man Shildon to bat first.
The Railwaymen struggled and were all out in 31 overs for 120, with skipper Greg Upton (24) and Ben Ryan (30) top scorers.
As the sun finally broke through for a while, Marton began their reply but were soon in trouble at 17 for 3, from 8 overs, as Shildon made the early breakthrough they needed.
However, with Marton struggling further at 73 for 7, largely due to an excellent spell of bowling by veteran Phil Garbutt (4 for 17 from 6 overs), the visitors made it over the line in the 30th over without further loss after Shildon spilled an easy chance from the number 3 batsman, who went on to score an undefeated 54.
Surprisingly, the Railwaymen remain in 4th position in the division, but this is further evidence of how far ahead the side once was just a few weeks ago.
Shildon’s 2nd XI travelled to leaders Barton for their top of the table clash in the Darlington District Cricket League Division B, but they too fielded just 10 men, and only 9 batted. Batting first, Shildon were all out for 93 in only 17 overs, with Chris Young (35) and Dhanesh Dharmarathnam (27) holding the short innings together.
Barton romped home in the 25th over for the loss of 3 wickets, all taken by Dharmarathnam (3 for 33 from 10 overs). Somehow, the side remains in 2nd place.
Saturday sees the 1st team’s final fixture of the 2024 season when they visit Rockcliffe Park, who have leap-frogged into 2nd place and will be determined to win and gain promotion.
The 2nd team is at home to East Cowton and then finish their season with another home game against Cliffe.
Victories in these two matches would ensure promotion to Division A, but with the current run of poor form, this will be a big ask for the team.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
