Maltby won what ended up an important toss and elected to bat, with their top order taking full advantage of benign conditions. The home side put on a commanding opening partnership of 168, setting the platform for a sizeable total as Shildon toiled away for little success. Phillip Garbutt made the first breakthrough, and was the pick of the attack with 2/35 from six overs, while Farhan Ali returned 1/41 from seven. Shane Rowley and Aayush Lekhwani also claimed a wicket apiece as Shildon stuck to their task in the field, but could never stem the flow of runs as Maltby’s batting line up maintained a scoring rate of almost seven an over to finish in 337/5.
Faced with a very daunting chase, Shildon made a positive start through Greg Upton and Loyd Horner. The pair added 79 for the opening wicket before Upton was dismissed for 35 from 35 balls. Horner continued to lead the chase, with an excellent 88 from 81 balls, including 16 fours and a six, at a ground he loves. He was well supported by Bret Upton, who struck an aggressive 51 from only 35 deliveries, with eight fours and a six, as Shildon reached 173/2 and remained firmly in the contest just after the halfway point of the innings. However, Horner’s dismissal at 184/3 proved a major turning point. Maltby’s spinner then worked his way through the middle and lower order as Shildon struggled to maintain the required rate. Farhan Ali provided another burst of attacking batting with an exciting 29 from just 17 balls, including three fours and two sixes. But wickets continued to fall around him and Shildon were eventually dismissed for 266 in 40.5 overs.
Shildon will look to get on track next week at home to Stokesley.
Shildon 2nd XI also fell to defeat against Middleton-in-Teesdale in a contrastingly low scoring encounter.
Middleton won the toss and elected to bat, but Shildon made regular breakthroughs throughout the innings. Darren Waites led the way with an excellent 3/21 from eight overs, while Captain Clegg also claimed three wickets with 3/44. Jawad Shirzad produced an economical spell, taking 2/17 from six overs, while Kate Ibbertson and Vinnie McCormick picked up a wicket apiece as Middleton were bowled out for 114 in 28.1 overs. It could have been better for Shildon, with Middleton struggling at 39/6, however the lower order got them towards what in the end was a competitive total.
With only 115 required for victory, Shildon would have fancied their chances, but Middleton responded with an equally impressive display with the ball. The chase suffered an immediate setback when captain Andrew Clegg fell without scoring, before Matty Franklin was also dismissed for a duck. Ben Moseby made 13, while Christopher Young provided some early momentum with a quick 23 from 15 balls before retiring not out. From there, Shildon struggled to build the partnership needed to take control of the chase. Vinnie McCormick battled for 10 from 52 balls and Darren Waites remained unbeaten on 14, but wickets continued to fall around them. Shildon were eventually dismissed for 86 in 29.4 overs, leaving Middleton winners by 28 runs.
The 2nd XI travel to Middleton St George next weekend.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
