The Inshore Fisheries Langbaurgh League

THE new Langbaurgh League season began last weekend with memories still fresh of the thrilling end to the 2006 campaign when Great Broughton & Kirby just edged out Maltby on the very last day.

The champions travelled to newly promoted Skelton Castle for the first game in defence of their title and showed enough power to suggest they will be amongst the teams to beat again. Castle were bundled out for just 79 with Roger Briddock taking four for 19, Andrew Smith three for four and nephew Mathew three for 7. There were a few early scares for Broughton in their reply as Daniel Hoggarth grabbed three for 17 but they eased home with four wickets in hand, youngster Cameron Mitchell top scoring with 17.

Maltby entertained East Harlsey, always expected to be tough opponents, and so it proved. Dave Willey, consistently one of the leading batsmen in the League, made 51 and with Hunter chipping in with 41 a respectable total of 156 was posted by Harlsey. Maltby never really got going in their reply and fell 21 runs short despite Wordsworth's 54. Willey claimed man of the match billing by adding five wickets to his batting performance.

Crathorne just avoided relegation on the last day of the 2006 season but they have recruited Kevin Clarkson and Barney Heap from Northallerton and will be looking upwards as a result. It was these two who took the bowling honours returning identical figures of four for 23 to dismiss Division One new boys, Thimbleby, for just 56. The game was over very quickly as Crathorne raced home for the loss of just one wicket with Chris Marshall 29 not out.

Kirby Sigston, champions in three out of the last five seasons, got off to a flyer when they bowled Stafford Place out for 92, Dave Thompson grabbing five for 20. Thompson then went on to score an unbeaten 61 as Sigston ran out winners by eight wickets.

In Division 2 both Norton and Skelton Castle B were playing their first matches in the League when they clashed at Junction Road after being admitted at the last AGM. Norton's 223 for seven looked formidable and Castle fell almost a hundred runs short in their response. Kildale, relegated last year, faced another new team, Hutton Rudby B, in what proved to be the most exciting game of the day when Kildale scrambled home by just one wicket.Elsewhere Scruton defeated Hutton Rudby A and the homeless Swainby team, who will play every game away this season, lost heavily at Moorsholm. On Sunday, Chop Gate defeated Maltby B in a re arranged fixture.

Roseberry Group North-East Durham League

RESULTS round up report for matches played Saturday the 28th. April

The story of last weekend was a sensational innings by 16 year old Mathew Wheeler for Newton Aycliffe. In a re arranged fixture played last Sunday the Aycliffe youngster cracked a staggering 158 - the second highest individual score in the Club's history, and the highest by a junior for them at any level of cricket. Mathew's precocious innings came at Hunwick who were left facing a massive 264 which they were unable to get near as Travis claimed three for 34.

Wheeler's performance overshadowed the previous day's games and gave Newton Aycliffe a two out of two record, but with only a couple of weeks of the season gone already the question is being asked as to who can stop East Rainton grabbing their eighth consecutive championship.

They followed up an opening day win against Whiteleas by visiting North Bitchburn who initially put up a decent fight as openers Graham and Pratt put on over 40 for the first wicket. When they departed their was limited resistance with the last four wickets going down quickly. Kitchen, four for 22, and Newson, three for 21, were the principal destroyers. Opener Neil Mathews then shepherded his team to a comfortable six wicket victory with a steadying 30 not out.

Burnhope got their season up and running following a first day defeat when they entertained and defeated Coundon. A total of 194 looked promising with Steward rattling up 86 before being run out. Biggs, Kirtley and Shaw all took three wickets to see the home side win by 58 runs.

Belmont played their first game of the season when they entertained Medomsley. After a less than inspiring start to their innings by the home side some excellent middle order contributions saw a respectable 164 posted, with Jaques top scoring with 31 not out. After a nail biting run chase Medomsley were indebted to number nine batsman Curran who cracked 40 not out to guide his team to an exciting two wicket victory, although he just missed out on top billing to man of the match Charlton who grabbed three for 24 with the ball and was his side's top scorer with 46.

Wearmouth were the day's other winners as they crushed Whiteleas by 9 wickets, Wayman taking star billing with 86 not out.

In Division Two there were wins for Simonside, Tantobie, Haughton, East Rainton and Kibblesworth.

Oxbridge Darlington And District Cricket League

WHAT a difference a week makes! Cock-a-hoop at beating champions Middleton St George on the opening day of the season Cockerton were brought down to earth with a bump as their game at Ingleton ended in a four wicket defeat. There were precious few runs about as Gammack claimed five for 25 to dismiss the visitors for 108. Dawson with 28 and Batey with 26 not out held the middle order together to see their team home.

There was a century at Middleton St George, but it didn't go to one of the home side's players. Middleton posted a reasonably respectable 152 due mainly to 52 from P Rogers and 39 not out from Steven Rogers. Lockey and Clark shared an excellent opening stand for visitors Barton, and when the latter fell for 40 Lockey took charge and took his side to an eight wicket victory, at the same time as claiming his century just before the game ended - he finished with an outstanding 102 not out.

Two weeks gone and Lands have a hundred per cent record. They followed up last week's win against Rockcliffe Park by cruising to a seven wicket victory at Brompton on Swale where the home side were bowled out for 136 thanks mainly to M.Little's four for 32. Kellett and Close shared an opening stand that effectively placed the match out of Brompton's reach, and when Close went for 47 Kellett continued his excellent personal start to the season by seeing the job through with 70 not out.

Best win of the day came at Trimdon where Aldbrough St John were the visitors. Colliery posted 140 batting first with Mattias bowled brilliantly to claim eight for 46. However, Trimdon's bowlers kept a tenacious grip on the game and a late collpase saw Aldbrough finish ten runs short. Owens took five for 53 and Strong three for 36 for the victors.

Rockcliffe Park lost their second game of the season when going down by six wickets to Heighington who successfully chased down a winning target of 179. Sowerby's five for 34, and Boocock's three for 29 laid the foundations for this success and then Riley with 62 , and Olney with a brilliant unbeaten 82, secured an impressive six wicket win.

In Division B there were wins for Witton-le-Wear, Raby Castle, Middleton-in-Teesdale, Cliffe, Haughton and Middleton Tyas.