Shildon Railway Cricket Club enjoyed last weekend, as both teams piled on the runs when winning their respective league games, reports John Brennan. The 1st team stands proudly top of the North Yorks. & South Durham Premier Cricket League Division 2, whilst the 2nd team is in second place in the Darlington & District Cricket League Division B.
At the sun drenched Hackworth Road Ground, a healthy crowd watched an intriguing match in which Shildon were asked to bat. Skipper Greg Upton ensured a brisk start, but he fell for 39 with the score on 49. In came Jacob Dinger, who gave a master class in batting, making 115, including twelve 4s and six 6s, putting on a stand of 133 with Tom Wickens (53). Despite losing four late wickets for only 13 runs, the Railwaymen batted their full 50 overs, making a score of 270 for 8.
Jacob Dinger then proved his capabilities with the ball, opening the bowling, and his 4 for 26 from 14 overs had visitors Barnard Castle on the ropes, with the score at 41 for 4. However they proved to be stubborn opponents as they fought back from 70 for 7, taking the game into the 42nd over. Former Shildon Player Jack Mensforth (43) was the last man out, as Aussie Ben Ryan (3 for 37) and veteran Phil Garbutt (2 for 31) chipped in to dismiss Barney for 142. A fine win in the lovely sunshine.
At Raby Castle Ashley Raine’s return to the side was seen as a big boost, but not even he could have expected it to be such a success. Ash blasted 185 not out, carrying his bat in Shildon’s 40 over innings of 291 for 3, with skipper Matty Summerbell scoring his maiden half century, making 66 not out. Shildon ran out easy winners, bowling the home side out for 141, with Andrew Clegg (4 for 24) and Matty Franklin (3 for 15) doing most of the damage.
Earlier in the week the 2nd team progressed to the quarter finals of the D.D.L. Division B Cup, where they will entertain Cockerton, after an easy win over Middleton-St. -George. The game was rescheduled to Hackworth Road where Shildon made 115 for 7, Chris Young 34 and Michael Condron 26, being the main contributors. M.S.G. were then dumped all out for just 48, as Chris Young (5 for 18) and Andrew Clegg (4 for 14) ran riot with the ball.
On Monday evening, the 1st team entertained Rockcliffe Park in the Brunton Cup. Rockcliffe won the toss and chose to bat, and it was they who set off like trains, not the Railwaymen. The innings reached 100 with less than 9 overs gone, which was largely due to M. Wheeler who struck 64 from 32 balls, as every Shildon bowler struggled. Rockcliffe finished on 182 for 7 in the 20 overs, as the Railwaymen fought back to stem the tide of runs. Liam Horner took 3 for 27 in his 4 overs.
Shildon needed a top order batsman to get off to a flying start, but the innings never really got going and petered out in the 20th over, with the Railwaymen all out for 105. Greg Upton (28) and Joe Knowles (37) were the top scorers on an evening when Shildon were brought back down to earth with a bump! Saturday sees the 1st team at home to bottom side Hartlepool, whilst the 2nd team also visit bottom club Catterick Village, in their respective league games.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
