Local League round-up: Malinga wickets are not enough (From The Northern Echo)

Local League round-up: Malinga wickets are not enough

11:13am Monday 26th July 2010 in

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THE leaders of the three Durham leagues stayed firmly on course in their championship ambitions after another round of matches took them closer to an exciting end to the season.

But Boldon, who had to be content with their sixth drawn finish of the summer in the Durham Senior League, had to be thankful that their closest rivals Felling were also involved in a game which ended in stalemate.

Boldon were frustrated by Eppleton whose tail-end batsmen dug-in after Sura Malinga (4-47) had looked like winning them the game.

The leaders posted 186 for 7, with 82 from Geoff Houmark, but despite Malinga’s guile they couldn’t take the final wicket thanks largely to teenager Dean Musther who came in at number five and was unbeaten on 37 with Eppleton on 174 for 9.

Third-placed South Hetton (117-7) made sure Felling (168- 9) couldn’t push through the victory which would have taken them to the top of the table.

As it is they slipped back by two points to trail Boldon by seven. An unbeaten 35 by John Pendlington held back Felling for whom Ross Loiacono took four wickets and hit an unfinished 63.

In the Durham Coast League Boldon CA added to their lead by defeating bottom club Peterlee, while their closest rivals, Bill Quay, suffered defeat at Seaham Park.

The Bellerby brothers combined to bowl out Peterlee, Ian taking 7-40 and Karl 3-41.

They managed just 94 in reply to Boldon’s 192 for 7 in which Karl Bellerby, with 92, showed his all-round star quality.

Bill Quay, who are now 28 points behind the leaders – they slipped from just six points behind – lost by 60 runs to the Seaham side who moved from fifth to third.

Mickey Thorpe (55 and 4-35) was their top performer.

Kimblesworth are racing away in their bid to retain the Durham County League title.

They cruised to victory by 202 runs against Etherley to maintain their 34 point advantage over Esh Winning.

An opening partnership between Stephen Meek (81) and Michael Fishwick (74) took them to 263 for 9 against their lowly opponents.

Meanwhile, Esh Winning beat Langley Park with Yasim Murtaza (48 and 4-27) in form.

Shotley Bridge suffered a surprise defeat at Chopwell in the Wellstream NTSL and it allowed Swalwell to add to their lead. They defeated Ashington and now enjoy a 21 point advantage at the top.