Readers Durham Cricket League

Dawdon came out on top in the big game at Horden, but still lost ground on table–toppers Burnmoor as the leaders demolished bottom club Hylton.

When Dawdon lost their first three wickets for 20 runs it looked as though they might struggle, but Jamie Greenwood (56 not out in 95 balls) stood firm, and with Anthony Watson hitting three fours and two sixes on his way to a late 44 the visitors were able to recover to the relative respectability of 174 in 46.3 overs.

Horden’s innings followed a similar path, early wickets followed by a fine captain’s innings of 56 in 64 balls from Carl Watson which raised home hopes until man of the season John Leslie (4-41) combined with Anthony Watson (4-28) to leave the hosts beaten for the first time after being bowled out for 148.

Burnmoor were a bit more like their old selves as they rattled up 200-3 in 45 overs and then shot Hylton out for 91 in 24.2 overs to claim maximum points.

Student Will Philips headed an all-star batting cast, his unbeaten 66 including nine boundaries and rounding off a relatively trouble free innings in style, and then the bowlers chipped in, with all six picking up at least one wicket as the home team subsided to their fifth defeat of the summer.

A father and son partnership rescued Philadelphia after they had slipped to 56-4 in their home game against Evenwood. Ian and Shaun Hauxwell took the score to 183 before Shaun was out, caught on the boundary for a stunning 114 which included seven fours and five sixes.

Ian went soon after for 39 but the recovery was complete as the Bunker Hill boys ended on 200-7 from 50 overs. A half century from opener Luke Bannister held Evenwood’s reply together, but with Stephen Robinson (3-29) and Mirza Baig (4-36) continuing their fine form the visitors were bowled out for 145 inside 36 overs.

Tudhoe are beginning to get up a head of steam, and added the scalp of hosts Mainsforth to their recent positive run. Joe Hardaker (5-12 from nine overs) and Ross Hodgson (3-29) ran through the hosts in 36 overs, and with 108 to chase Tudhoe showed few signs of slipping up as Simon Davies (33 not out) eased them to a six wicket win in the 40th over.

Marsden (131-7) picked up a welcome home win over depleted Crook (128), and Castle Eden (170-9) held off a spirited Easington (143) with skipper Keith Bailey (59 from 63 balls) setting up the chance for Prateek Dabholkah (4-36) and Ryan Ball (3-34) to secure the victory.

Durham City continued to dominate in Division Two as they brushed aside the challenge of Shildon Railway, Aussie Nick Maiolo turning in a virtuoso performance by grabbing 5-18 in 11 overs as the Railwaymen were shunted aside for 113 in 40 overs, and then cracking six fours and one six on his way to an unbeaten 61 as the City slickers cruised to a nine-wicket win.

Whiteleas reinforced their challenge with a maximum haul from a nine-wicket humbling of Langley Park who were bowled out for 52, Ryan Hale (4-5 from 6 overs) and Rob Scorer (3-19) causing all the mayhem, and Bill Quay stayed in joint second spot as they defeated hosts Ushaw Moor by six wickets, Anoop Pai’s four wickets clearing the way for Quay to unlock the hosts with an unbeaten 67 from Jeff Tudor.

There was a welcome first win for Murton, who had 66 runs to spare over Silksworth, and Seaham Park also got off the mark even though they could only muster 115 against Peterlee. Alex Ludlow (5-25) was their bowling saviour.