Bishop Auckland 2nd XI travelled to Billingham to challenge their 2nd XI one of the pacesetters In Div 4. Winning the toss Bishops invited the Synthonians to bat. Thomas Stones made immediate inroads taking two wickets in 2 balls reducing the opposition to

18-2. Bishop’s bowling attack strove to dismantle the Synners top order, but several dropped catches proved extremely costly with the in form Gabriel Hebron (90) and Mark Bartley(55no) riding their luck advancing the score to 158 before Hebron succumbed to the wily old fox Neil Bancroft who also took the fourth wicket to fall. However, this proved to be Bishops last success as Billingham accelerated in the last ten overs of the innings to reach a challenging but not insurmountable 218-4.

The Bishop Auckland top order took a positive approach to the challenge scoring quick runs but none of the top four could consolidate their initial flurry of runs and wickets fell at regular intervals with only Thomas Stones showing his all-rounder potential with a solid 33. Unfortunately, his demise left Bishops floundering at 82-5 staring defeat in the face. A stubborn sixth wicket partnership of 65 runs between Kesh Sarveswaran (14) and newly returned Andrew Taylor(49) infuriated the Billingham attack and importantly occupied the crease for a prolonged period. Once set Taylor proceeded to entertain with an array of shots to the boundary. In the chase for bonus points Andy and Kesh both perished the revitalised Billingham bowlers sensed an opportunity for victory. A disciplined final few overs by James Holliday and Paul Imerson steered Bishops to a losing draw extending the distance between the two teams to 55 points. July promises to be a season defining month for Bishops 2nd XI in their ambition for promotion with 5 matches to be played culminating in a doubleheader on the last weekend.