Durham leagues review

May 12 2008 by The Journal

HETTON Lyons underlined their potential with an awesome display of power in the Warmseal Durham Senior League, but last season’s two dominant clubs also recorded victories to tuck themselves in on the Lyons’ tail.

Only a week after sharing in an unbroken stand of 180, Paul Riddle and Sean Birbeck were at it again. Thrown together with 12 on the board against Durham City the pair put the home attack to the sword and were again inseparable as Lyons declared on 247-1, Riddle having 107 to his name and Birbeck 118.

For skipper Birbeck it was the continuation of an amazing start to the season that has seen him make 270 runs in three innings. Unfortunately he hasn’t got an average yet as he hasn’t been out.

A deflated City were soon on the rack as Surrapulige Malinga claimed three cheap victims, and with Michael Ewert (3-31) on customary form Durham were bundled out for 110 to secure a maximum points return for the ravenous Lyons and take them top of the pile.

Champions Burnmoor broke their seasonal duck. Jimmy Daley rattled up his second century in eight days, John Tindale joined the party with 120 not out, and the home side declared on 233-1. Visitors Seaham Harbour were then routed for just 23, Martin Thursfield (6-9) and Alex Ludow (4-12) in devastating form.

Whitburn had more of a struggle at South Hetton although eventually coming away with a three wicket win.

It took an unbroken eighth-wicket stand of 50 to rescue them when all looked lost. The unlikely heroes were Dave Bell (37no) and Andrew Turns (26no).

On a day of big scores Chris Ellison was another century maker for Boldon – his unbeaten 124 set up his team’s score of 238-7 against Eppleton and then West Indian Nelon Pascal (5-43) saw the job through despite a battling 60 from Dave Lowther.

Marsden looked dead and buried after being shot out for 101 by Horden but Andrew Robson (5-23) and John Stobbart (4-31) had other ideas and skittled the visitors for 64.

In the other game Felling continued to give evidence of their revival, getting much the better of a draw with Philadelphia.

In the Readers Durham County League, Esh Winning and Shildon Railway continue to lead the way after both retained their 100% record but the story of the day came at Kimblesworth where a number of league records were shattered.

Poor old Brandon just didn’t know what hit them as Stephen Meek and Paul Craig put on a once in a lifetime performance. The pair flayed the visiting bowlers to all parts of the ground in an opening stand of 327 made in just 31 overs.

The stand was a record for any wicket in the league’s history, and both set personal bests – Meek 164no and Craig 163.

Kimblesworth batted on when Craig was out and posted a total of 402-1 – another league record. Just for the statisticians, Meek’s knock included 18 fours and five sixes, while Craig’s innings had 17 fours and nine sixes.

Unsurprisingly Brandon fell a massive 271 runs short in their reply.

Esh Winning completed their expected victory over Etherley – there were cheap wickets for Paul Chivers, John Davison and Ryan Moralee as the home team were skittled for 50, nine wickets being the margin of victory. Shildon had less to spare over Crook but Hemanth Boteju’s five-wicket debut meant they only had to score 119 to win which they did with four wickets in hand.

Hylton are in a challenging position in the table after knocking off 191 in their home game with Evenwood. It was generally a team effort but Aussie Matt Lemm impressed with an unbeaten 67, as the hosts moved into third.

There were wins for all the big three in the 3D Durham Coast League so it’s as you were in the league table with Ryhope continuing to be the surprise package at the top after their seven-wicket win over Boldon CA.

Peterlee’s brief flirtation with the form book came to an abrupt end at Castle Eden as Richard Ede proved too good for them on the day. His return of 6-21 undermined the visitors innings and they collapsed to 53 all out, and an inevitable nine-wicket defeat followed.

Easington skipper Gary Ward put on another fine individual all-round performance at Murton – but it wasn’t enough to stop the champions in their tracks. Ward top scored with 43 in the visitors’ score of 134, and then took four wickets. But Murton still squeezed through to victory, Tom Raine (4-23) their bowling hero and Calvin Stephenson (45no) their batting star.

Seaham Park are now the only team with a 100% record after defeating Bill Quay and Silksworth recorded their first win at Dawdon.

CHRIS WEST