1XI v Darlington RA (Home) Match Report
BACC 1XI extended their lead at the top of the NYSD Div. 1 courtesy of a powerful 8 wicket victory over second place Darlington RA.
The much-anticipated home game against the promotion fancied Railway men got off to a terrific start for the visitors, who were asked to bat first as Bishops won the toss and elected to field. Opening pair of Adam Hickey and Tom Hewison moved the score quickly onto 42 before Hewison hooked at a Rimmington short ball and was caught comfortably by the grateful Matthew Cowling at backward square leg for 14. Hickey drove and pulled competently for a well made 33 before driving casually at a length ball soon after again from Nathan Rimmington (2/40), which saw the visitors slip to 54/2. The experienced Paul Freary and BACC old boy Carl McGregor began rebuilding another partnership before Freary chipped to mid-wicket to be the first wicket for left arm spinner Steve Chapman. Jamie Hood fell soon after, run out without scoring courtesy of some brilliant fielding from Jack Rutherford at extra cover. McGregor dug in, driving nicely when given the chance and he moved to a well-played 24 before being caught at slip by the Bishops skipper for 24 off the bowling of Chapman. Craig George was introduced to the bowling attack shortly after and the spinners squeezed the remainder of the RA innings which saw a collapse of 6/23 to leave the visitors all out for 118 with Chapman finishing with 5/28 and George 2/14 from 7 overs.
The chase for Bishops proved to be a relatively easy one, although the excellent opening spin bowling of ‘Pup’ Russell 2/22 from 15 overs and later Adam Hickey 1/52 from 15 overs meant the chase was also a patient one. After the fall of Jack Rutherford (9) and Chapman (28) the arrival at the crease of the powerful Craig George meant the balance of the game stayed with the home side. George made 54 from 82 balls including 7 x 4 and 1 x 6, sharing a match winning partnership of 75 with Scott Oldfield (26no) who, following on from last week batted superbly once again.
Scorecard https://bishopauckland.play-cricket.com/website/results/5134642
2XI v Sedgefield (Away) Match Report
BACC 2XI made the short journey to Sedgefield to face the current Div.4 leaders. Having lost the toss and being asked to bat first, the Bishop boys made a disastrous start losing four of their top five batsmen without scoring as openers Rutherford and Ridley tore into the top order leaving the visitors reeling at 9/4. Jacob Dinger (61) and skipper Paul Barrow (23) set about rebuilding the innings, adding 62 for the fifth wicket partnership. Thomas Stones added a valuable 13 and Bishop were indebted to a final wicket partnership of 39 between James Holliday (15) and Paul Imerson (9not out) to recover from 124/9 to being 163 all out in the 39th over.
Sedgefield chase was steady and well controlled by opener Tom Brandon (59not out). As wickets fell around him, it was an excellent partnership with Darren Bill (30) that proved to be the straw that broke the camels back for the Kingsway men. Sedgefield running out winners by 4 wickets with 14 balls remaining.
Bishops will reflect on the game in which they had opportunities to win, however their 39 extras proved to be too many against a team making good strides in this season’s race for promotion.
