Darlington and District League

FOR THE second time in a week, Ingleton held their nerve to record the closest of wins and join the two Middletons in becoming the early pacesetters in the Newroc Homes Darlington and District League.

But the Ingleton effort couldn’t be described as priceless, with the star man for the victors being Andy Price. After top scoring with 42 in his team’s score of 155, Price went on to claim the last five Cockerton wickets to fall, ending with figures of 5-47 to hand his side a narrow seven-run success.

Middleton St George also made it two out of two by winning at Aldbrough St John by 30 runs. But at one time they looked to be heading for certain and early defeat, with their first five batsmen mustering a paltry 12 runs between them as Mark Little (4-30) took out their top half. The Rogers boys were their saviours – Paul making 53 and Simon 43 not out – with the bottom order seeing George up to 176-9.

And then Paul Rogers (3-56) led a trio of bowlers who forced Aldbrough into submission, Mohammad Shahid (3-28) and Dave Glew (3-30) being his accomplices in ensuring a fine allround effort from the hosts’ Ian Wilson (3-38 and 30) went unrewarded.

Middleton-in-Teesdale sent Eryholme to the bottom of the fledgling table as they overpowered them by 119 runs. Anthony Coatsworth had a little of the gloss taken off the compelling victory when he fell four short of a deserved century, but Graham Hutchinson ensured there was at least one centurion as he ended undefeated with 110 to his name.

Eryholme had a true battler in Simon Thornton, but his 52 came in a lost cause as the home team ended on 128-7 in reply to Middleton’s 247-3.

Champions Barton got their season up and running at home to Lands, but not without a real struggle as the visitors pushed them all the way. Barton’s undoubted star was Tony Millar (81) who seemed to be fighting a lone hand against the bowling of Michael Bredenkamp (5-53) as he helped reduce the home side to 178-9 off the allotted overs.

The Lands response got off to a slow but assured start through Rob Little (47), but a quintet of bowlers shared the wickets around and kept sufficient grip on proceedings to leave the home team 12 runs short.

Rockliffe Park picked up their first win by knocking off the 146 target set by Barningham with seven wickets to spare.

Robin Kyle, with five fours and two sixes in a breezy 40, was the Barney batting highlight, but, after losing three quick wickets, James Edwards (66 not out including nine fours and three sixes) and Lee Hart (42 not out including seven fours and one six) shared a riveting 110- run fourth wicket partnership to see the Park to a handsome victory in just 19.3 overs.

In the day’s final game the Division A new boys clashed, with Catterick Village defeating East Cowton by six wickets after successfully chasing down 167 for victory.