Bishop Auckland 3XI travelled to the Grangefield Ground to engage with table topping Stockton 3rds.

Put into bat Bishops made a steady start but then found themselves at 38-3. This brought together in form David Robinson and James Harris which led to an impressive 123 fourth wicket partnership. Robinson finally fell for a well constructed 59 with 6 fours and 2 maximums with one huge six to the distant square leg boundary. Harris continued his entertaining innings with an array of flamboyant shots until succumbing to a 59 ball 75 with 14 fours. From 177-5 Bishops collapsed to 190-9 however experienced pair Paul Imerson and John Holiday batting at number 10 and 11 frustrated the Stockton attack batting out the remaining overs putting together a quality tenth wicket partnership of 26 showing all their veteran skills to take Bishops to a commendable 216-9.

Bishops opening attack made immediate inroads into the Stockton batters reducing them to 28-3. However, with experienced opener Lee Ward steadying the innings Stockton made relentless progress towards their target. Bishops introduced their full complement of bowlers with James Harris finally bowling Ward for 63 and Joe MacLeod taking two wickets reducing Stockton to 147-8 with plenty of overs remaining. Unfortunately, a resilient ninth wicket partnership batted out the overs taking Stockton to 186-8.

A thoroughly entertaining match ended in a draw with a highly satisfactory performance from the Bishop lads.

Scorecard https://bishopauckland.play-cricket.com/website/results/5127417