Shildon Railway Cricket Club’s two senior sides enjoyed comprehensive victories in the glorious sunshine last weekend, reports John Brennan. The results keep the 1st team in third place and the 2nd team top of their respective divisions.
At the Hackworth Road Ground, Saltburn were the visitors in the North Yorks & South Durham Premier Cricket League Division 2 clash, and having won the toss, Shildon elected to bat. Skipper Greg Upton surprisingly returned to the side, despite a hand injury, but the side looked in trouble at 42 for 3, as Stephen Forster’s up and down season continued when he was dismissed without scoring and four of the top five batsmen contributed only 18 runs. Jacob Dinger then again proved his class, as he batted from the 4th over, to the very last ball of the innings, when he was out for 121.
The innings included seven 6s and seven 4s, and his brilliant effort enabled Shildon to reach 217 for 8. Veteran, Phil Garbutt, then rolled back the years as he tore into the Saltburn batsmen. The side collapsed to 21 for 4 as the Railwaymen started like steam trains. Saltburn were all out for 78 in the 32nd over, as Garbutt’s 5 for 8, in 9 overs, Ben Ryan’s 2 for 31 and Rob Nevison’s 3 for 22 saw Shildon home with ease. Leaders Richmond and second placed Barnard Castle have both played a game more than Shildon, who could overhaul them if they win the game in hand. However, the in-form Rockcliffe Park are close on Shildon’s tail.
Meanwhile, the 2nd team visited Middleton-in-Teesdale in Division B of the Darlington District Cricket League, and returned home with a massive 9 wickets win, taking the team 22 points clear at the top of the league table. Despite a defiant 70 from opener Anthony Coatsworth, the Shildon bowlers restricted the home side to 162 all out in the 40th and final over. Andrew Clegg continued his good form with 4 for 36 and he was ably supported by Dhanesh Dharmarathnam, who bowled three maidens in his 10 over stint, finishing with 2 for 30, and Nathan Lawson, who wrapped up the innings with 3 for 15 in his 5 overs. Chris Young then blasted a quickfire 52 (including four 4s and three 6s) taking the score to 71, which allowed Ben Moseby and Nathan Lawson to each score 49 not out and take Shildon to victory in the 31st over.
On Tuesday evening, at Hackworth Road, Shildon 2nds entertained Eryholme in the FB Howell Trophy and progressed to the next round, winning a tightly contested game by 28 runs. Shildon batted first and scored 139 for 7 from their 20 overs, which were bowled at a very slow rate. Chris Young kept up his recent good form with 63 and Nathan Lawson contributed 29 not out. In reply Eryholme made 112 for 3, Shane Rowley taking 2 for 15.
Saturday sees the 1st team travel to Maltby, and the 2nd team is at home to Middleton-St.-George in the next round of league fixtures.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
