Rare outbreak of sun brings out run fest

9:45am Monday 12th May 2008

BATSMEN, with the rare opportunity to have the sun on their backs, revelled in the helpful conditions as five centuries were scored.

Blackhall's formidable opening pair, Warren Swan - the club's new South African professional - and the ever-reliable John Darby put together a nearrecord first wicket stand of 214 while Rob Nicol (Marske), Thara Gunerathne (Hartlepool) and Chris Batchelor (Great Ayton) were the others to have the scoreboards racing as they each completed notable hundreds.

Batchelor, who made an undefeated 110 out of 231-6 as Ayton looked to have scored enough for victory, could count himself the unluckiest as he finished on the losing side as Guisborough hit form to polish off the runs.

They lost just four wickets in the process. New Zealander, Gregg Todd, their new pro, led the way by smashing 69 to all parts of the village ground while Graham Murray (47 not out), Ryan Murray (43) and Saul Clifford (43) kept up the momentum despite facing a formidable pace attack spearheaded by Riaz Afridi.

The Ayton professional, delayed by paperwork problems in Pakistan, returned just in time for the game but got no sympathy from his opponents for any travel weariness. He spent 22 hours on a flight due to take eight hours, failed to take a wicket and conceded 95 runs and was out without scoring when he batted.

Guisborough's success moved them into third place behind Richmondshire, whose third win kept them in pole position two points ahead of Middlesbrough.

Richmond discovered a new bowling star in 19-year-old Mike Cunnachie (4-55 from 15 overs) against Marton for whom Graham Shaw (45) and Chris Veazey (45 not out) proved their in-form pair. Michael Layfield (45), Shanuka Dissanayake (38), and Andrew Fleming (35 not out ) found little in the bowling to worry them and in reaching 187- 5 won convincingly and with overs to spare.

Middlesbrough won by three wickets but it was one of their more hard-earned results as Redcar's professional, Tariq Aziz (65 and 4-26 in 15 overs) made a real fight of it. The Seasiders faced 15- year-old leg spinner Whalid Gul (3-20) for his first overs of the season and with Chetnya Nanda (3- 26) contributing well, they could only muster 154.

When Boro reached 60-1 they looked set for another easy romp but Aziz had other ideas. Once James Lowe (40) and Jon Spillane (34) were out, there were nail-biting moments for the visitors.

Marske continued their excellent start to the season with 16 points from a draw at Hartlepool where they were the day's highest scorers. Nicol's first ton included a spectacular fourth wicket stand of 182 with newcomer John Meredith (69 not out).

Nicol hit 11 fours and three sixes in his 136-ball knock and was also partnered by Gary Lynch who made 50 from 33 balls including 40 in boundaries.

The Seasiders finished with 254-3 and declared to give themselves an extra two overs to bowl out Pool. But Thara Gunerathne made up for the loss of key players by making 101 with eight fours and four sixes to earn a draw. He faced 156 balls for his hundred.

Darlington and newly promoted Billingham Synthonia were evenly matched as they drew at Feethams. The Synners finished just 15 runs short of their first win but Quakers had the man-ofthe- match in Doug Mulholland (63 not out and 4-60 from17 overs).

Billingham's pro, Sri Lankan Nisal Randika impressed with four wickets from 20 overs.

Bishop Auckland's loss of form saw them beaten for a fourth time with Northallerton celebrating a first win. Jon Barnes (5-41 from 25 overs) made sure Bishops slumped from 98-3 to 133-8 before he led his side away from danger with an unbeaten 56 to win by three wickets.

The Swan-Darby batting duo at Blackhall was followed by contrasting fortunes when Normanby Hall responded to their target of 232-1. Darren Hickey rattled off five wickets and the Colliers looked guaranteed winners until Keith Martin, batting as usual at No 11, joined professional, Duminda Perera - and they played out the last 12 overs together.

Martin made just three from 31 balls as Perera completed an unbeaten half century. It was the third time they had come together to save or win a game.

In the first division, more big scores were a feature including 137 for Anthony Parsons for Guisborough's second team against Stokesley.

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