BACC 1XI returned to the top of the NYSD Div.1 on Saturday courtesy of a comprehensive 6 wicket victory at Kingsway over league form side Sedgefield.
Upon winning the toss on a good-looking pitch, the visitors had little hesitation batting first in the glorious afternoon sunshine. Openers Luke Henderson (14) and captain Tom Young (16) started their innings positively taking the score to 29 before a horror shot from Young saw him bowled by the again impressive Ben Roosenboom (4/30). Wickets began to fall at regular intervals as the Bishop bowling attack grabbed the Sedgefield innings by the throat. Henderson fell caught behind and when Martin Lower (16) was bowled by Roosenboom after a gritty stay at the crease, there was real danger the visitors might not reach three figures. Left hander David Budd (20) held the innings together batting with the tail. He played straight and looked organised. But the Bishop bowlers weren’t to be outdone. Ian Grainger (1/20) has started to find some pace from his rhythm and Steve Chapman chipped in with 3/23 from a dozen overs, but it was skipper Nathan Rimmington who returned to claim the final two wickets to see the visitors bowled out for 128 from 43.3 overs.
In return the home side stuttered initially losing Chapman and Rutherford early as David Budd found a length and caused some early problems for the batmen. When the in-form Scott Oldfield (17) was dubiously given out caught behind there was real optimism amongst the visiting team as the home side fell to 52/3. The fall of Oldfield brought together Craig George (43) and a seemingly rare opportunity for Nathan Rimmington (34no). Unassuming George was again fluent scoring his runs from only 35 balls including 7 x 4’s and 1 x 6 demonstrating his significant value to the Bishop top order. At the same time Rimmington played a stellar role of support, smashing his 34no from just 27 balls with 5 x 4’s and 1 x 6. Allowing the home side to chase down the needed runs comfortably in the 23rd over to win by 6 wickets.
With the season conclusion racing towards us, we look forward to the forthcoming weekend blockbuster, where the 1XI visit second placed Darlington RA for a game which even this far out will have significant bearing on the outcome of both sides season.
Scorecard https://bishopauckland.play-cricket.com/website/results/5134649
3XI Match Report V Stockton CC
Bishop Auckland 3XI entertained Stockton 3rds at Kingsway on a pleasant sunny Sunday. Winning the toss Bishops invited Stockton to bat and made immediate inroads into the Stockton top order with Hinds skirling opener Savill (10) and James Holliday trapping No3 Rehman (12) LBW. However experienced opener Lee Ward and young prospect Dominic O’Neill then put the Bishops attack to the sword compiling a hundred partnership before Ward fell to Paul Immerson for a well-constructed 74. O’Neill continued his innings showing a maturity beyond his years eventually falling to David Robinson for 87. Stockton eventually reaching 229-4 off their allotted 40 overs. Pick of the Bishop Auckland bowlers been Wally Hinds 8-2-18-1 and James Holliday 8-0-27-1.
The daunting target was approached with a high degree of improvisation by openers Jacob Dinger and David Taylor who raced to a century opening stand unfortunately Dinger had to retire out due to a pre match arrangement for personnel reasons. The momentum of the innings was maintained with David Robinson’s arrival. However, David Taylor holed out when in full swing for an entertaining 60. The arrival of flamboyant Omawale Hinds continued the drive for victory and a rapid 25 took Bishops past the 150 in the 21st over. Unfortunately, the exit of Hinds proved the undoing of the Bishops run chase with the middle order failing miserably to support Robinson who was playing an excellent anchor role. The game was still in the balance but played in great spirit personified when Stockton lost a player to injury Bishops immediately provided a substitute fielder. With six quick wickets falling Bishops found themselves at 186-9. Into the breach stepped new acquisition Mark Murphy and young Ethan Dowson playing with patience but putting the bad ball away the target crept closer and closer, then disaster strikes Murphy is snipered taking a quick single with a hamstring strain. Despite being in great discomfort Murphy carried on and rather settling for the draw Ethan and Mark continued to strive for victory however the chase fell just short when Murphy was bowled for gallant 19. This after a valiant tenth wicket partnership of 29 with Ethan ended with Bishops 215 all out just ten runs short. A hard fought game but played in the true spirit of cricket.
