BACC 2XI Match Report
Bishop Auckland 2nds entertained Marske 2nds at Kingsway. the searing heat Marske won the toss and unsurprisingly opted to bat. Bishops immediately made inroads into the Seasiders batters with David Jacobs removing both openers with only 31 on the board. However Bishops could not consolidate this early momentum the result of several dropped catches and some aggressive batting a third wicket partnership of 91 gave Marske the upper edge. Thomas Stones returned to the attack and defying the elements stormed in taking three quick wickets ending with figures of 10-1-54-3. Jacob Dinger ably assisted by three Thomas Stones catches also made a significant contribution taking 4 wickets for 49 runs. The Bishop lads stuck to their task well eventually dismissing Marske for 202 after 38 overs a highly commendable effort in the extreme heat.
Needing victory to maintain the push for promotion Bishops began well with the top four batters contributing to the chase topped by David Robinson (25) and David Taylor (27). Unfortunately, no one could dominate the enthusiastic Marske attack and wickets fell with consistent regulatory. It appeared the efforts in the heat earlier in the afternoon finally took their toll and the Bishops innings collapsed to 138 all out resulting in a disappointing loss. A fortnights breaks gives the troops a chance to regroup ready for probably a season defining fixtures Saturday/Sunday against Darlington RA and Northallerton 2nd XI's.
BACC 3XI Match Report
Bishop Auckland 3rd XI travelled to the salubrious setting of Hartlepool CC to play their youthful 4th XI. In scorching heat Bishops won the toss and elected to have first use of a dry wicket. James Dowson (1) fell early but skipper Mike Sowerby (32) and David Robinson (12) put on a 57 run 2nd wicket partnership. Following Robinson's dismissal Omawale Hinds (24) joined Sowerby, and Wally's Caribbean flair accelerated the scoring rate as per usual. Unfortunately, both batters fell in quick succession to the enthusiastic young bowler Toby Allen. The Bishops innings unfortunately fell away with several batters making double figures but failing to consolidate with the 2nd Xl finishing at 157 all out.
Bishops needed to make an immediate impact on the Hartlepool innings and an outstanding piece of fielding by James Dowson resulted in a run out. Young opener Joe Semple rode his luck with an aggressive If somewhat fortunate innings reaching 52 before the guile and accuracy of Paul Barrow removed batters 1,3 and 4 in quick succession to give Bishops a sniff of success. The momentum stalled in the excruciating heat with the unfortunate bowler Paul Imerson having three catches dropped off three consecutive balls. A hat trick of dropped catches has it happened before. With the game slipping away skipper Sowerby turned to the experienced John Holliday prising him away from first slip John rolled back the years taking wickets with consecutive balls in his first over and repeating the feat in his second over returning remarkable figures of 2-1-3-4.This reduced Hartlepool to 154-8 but experienced skipper Chris Smith came to the crease and guided his youthful side to victory in the 35 over.
