Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB – Premier League

Richmondshire retained their title (by the slender margin of just one point) and are again champions of the Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB Premier League, following their six wicket win at home to Saltburn. In a season shortened in half by the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been some tremendous cricket played across the league, with the Dalesmen ending up worthy winners in the 2020 campaign.

Saltburn won the toss and decided to bat first, in the last game of the season at Richmondshire. They made a steady start as Gareth Shaw (26), Ramanpreet Singh (41) and Sam Parry made a cautious 36 from 87 balls, while Sam Wood claimed 4-47, in a final total of 180 all out.

The Dalesmen started very positively, as opener Tom Dowson scored 85 not out from 92 balls and Gary Pratt made 57 from 69 balls, in a second wicket partnership worth 116 runs. They eventually finished on 181-4, to win the game by six wickets and clinch the title on the very last day of the season.

Middlesbrough finished second, as they batted first against bottom club Normanby Hall at Acklam Park. Skipper Matty Bell made a dogged 68 runs from 130 balls and Cole Pearce added 34, as they put on 70 runs, for the second wicket. Boro eventually got their score up to 181-5, against some good tight bowling from the visiting attack, as Nathan Bell claimed 3-50.

Normanby then lost early wickets, but Joe Gaudie dug in for 34 runs from 67 balls, but Toby Bullock with 4-44 and skipper Bell taking 4-23, they bowled the visitors out for 120.

Hartlepool ended up in third place, as they journeyed to Stokesley and the home side decided to bat first and struggled, losing regular wickets, until skipper Jonny Weighell made 43, while James Lowe was the pick of the bowling, claiming 5-33, in a final total of 134 all out.

Pools were then quick off the blocks, as openers James Lowe scored 72 not out from 63 balls and Harry Crawshaw 56 not out from 78 balls, to put on an unbroken stand of 137 runs, to win by ten wickets.

Marton finished fourth, despite a defeat at Marske. They asked the home side to take first knock and they piled up the runs, as opener Jozef Wing scored 56, putting on 94 runs for the second wicket, as Tom Hewison added 62 runs from 80 balls, in a final total of 227 all out, while Lee Hodgson claimed 3-20 and Chris Veazey 3-2.

In reply, the visitors collapsed to 37-3, but opener Lee Hodgson with the bat made 52, as Chris Nicholls claimed three early wickets. They never recovered and ended up 148 all out, as Johnathon Pickard then claimed 4-40 to win the game by 79 runs, despite Matthew Connelly thumping 33 from 23 balls.

Billingham Synthonia hosted Thornaby at Chiltons Avenue and asked the visitors to bat first. They made a bad start as Thomas Wing took three early wickets (3-44), with Lewis Harper top scoring with 43 from 48 balls, Luke Gettings with 32 not out and Steven Purcifer added 25, they totalled 159-9, with mike Yuill returning figures of 4-20.

Synners then collapsed to 46-5, despite opener Ben Brown carrying his bat and scoring 66 not out, but Lewis Harper claimed 3-31 and Jack Turnbull an excellent 6-31, to bowl the home side out for 131, to win by 28 runs.

Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB – Division One

Darlington entertained Wolviston and started badly, as they kept losing wickets regularly. At one stage, they were 68-5, but Jonathan Barnes late on made 42 not out and Oliver King 31 not out, to get them up to 191-7.

The visitors then collapsed to 76 all out, as Jonathan Barnes with the ball, claimed figures of 5-17 alongside Peter Greenwell who returned figures of 3-11, for an easy win in the end and to finish the season in second place.