Match Report 3XI v Yarm CC

Bishop Auckland 3XI played their first home game fixture of the season sponsored by our new community initiative The Sunshine Group. Winning the toss Bishops invited Yarm 3XI to bat. The new ball pairing of Omawale Hinds and Thomas Stones tore into the Yarm top order reducing the visitors to 11-5 with aggressive controlled bowling, ably supported in the field with two excellent catches. An excellent 6th wicket partnership of 67 by former Bishops player Simon Healey and Shields stabilised the Yarm innings. Spinner James Holliday assisted the pace attack with a controlled 8 over spell for only 22 runs. Yarm managed to bat out the 40 overs with a commendable 152-9 after their disastrous start.

Bishops set about the challenge with real gusto, a 2nd wicket partnership from the young guns David Robinson and Thomas Stones manoeuvred the home side to 81-1 however the demise of Thomas led to a steady fall of wickets, but David maintained his composure to reach an outstanding 55 only to hole out in the deep. The match appeared to be swinging Yarms way but the steadying influence of 27 runs from Joe MacLeod left the game in the balance. The Dowson twins came to the crease and kept the scoreboard ticking over resulting in 8 required off the last over for victory. An excellent effort left Bishops needing two to win off the last ball unluckily James nicked the ball into his stumps ending the innings at 151-8 for an exciting drawn conclusion in match supported by many of our more senior team players encouraging our younger elements.

Scorecard - https://bishopauckland.play-cricket.com/website/results/5127063