Statisticians are searching the record books after a series of sensational individual and team performances on what proved a remarkable end to the first third of the season’s fixtures, reports Chris West.
Eight wickets for nine runs for the evergreen Jon Barnes will mark him down among the league’s outstanding all-time best, while Seaton Carew were dismissed for just 26 runs, one of the lowest ever scores in the league’s history.
A hat-trick by Barnard Castle’s Simon Tennant, who dismissed the last three Marske batsmen, gave his side victory by a nail biting two runs – one of the narrowest ever margins recorded – but it was a day of despair for Great Ayton whose hopes of championship glory suffered a further setback when they lost by ten wickets to opponents from the bottom half of the table.
There was also a surprise awaiting the champions Richmondshire who were held to a draw by fourth bottom Redcar, but a second win in a week for Marton has revived their title prospects which also continue to look more and more prosperous for Stokesley, now with six wins in nine games.
But Darlington gained more of a grip as league leaders in what proved an amazing day for their former professional, the bubbly Barnes, who mesmerised the Seaton batsmen in nine unforgettable overs.
His eight wickets at exactly a run an over included the last six while just four runs were scored. Only Paul Braithwaite, who made 14, had any answer to both his and Doug Mulholland’s exploitation of a helpful wicket with the long serving professional taking the other two wickets for 17 runs from eight overs.
Earlier Mulholland had dug his side out of a batting hole, unbeaten on 60 from 68 balls with four fours and four sixes in a face saving stand of 63 with Sam Hardy (26).
They came together with the score on 67 for seven. Ultimately they made 158 for eight. Seaton’s Stuart Lobb (5-38) and Danny Evans (2-38) had caused the early Darlington collapse.
Second-placed Stokesley trail the Quakers by 26 points, but there were extra cheers in the clubhouse when they heard Richmond, who are third, had dropped ten points by failing to gain a sixth win.
Andrew Weighell’s in-form side gained a second win in six days, beating out-of-form Middlesbrough following their bank holiday success over village neighbours Great Ayton. Richard Chandler (5-26 from 15 overs) continued his best season as Boro, on home ground, were sent packing for just 60 runs. Weighell (29 not out) top scored to lead his side to victory by six wickets.
Redcar produced their best performance to not only hold the Dalesmen but finish just 23 runs short of the 200 run target set for them.
Gary Pratt (70) and Shani Dissanayake (37) led the way although Dale Metcalfe (5-58) and Mohammed Zahid (4-52) made them work hard for every run. Tyler Easton hit a half century in the Seasider’s reply of 177 for eight with Lewis Stabler (5-31) showing why he’s in the Yorkshire Academy.
The hat-trick which took Barnard Castle back to winning ways came as Karl Bramwell planned to achieve glory for Marske had he been able to face another over.
He was unbeaten on 36 with three fours and two sixes and needing just three more runs for victory when Simon Tennant trapped Sam Harvey leg before, clean bowled Carl Drinkel and had Chris Nicholls stumped off successive deliveries to take Barney over the line.
Tennant finished with 5-32 from 16.4 overs as Marske were bowled out for 138. Barney (140 for eight) had three main contributors in James Finch (30 not out), Ben Turner (25) and Ben Usher (24).
Nicholls (3-27 from 17 overs) kept Barney pinned down with Jon Pickard (2-28) and Josh Carroll (2-55) assisting.
Marton’s revival continued at Saltburn where the home skipper, Steve Purcifer, hit a defiant half century but couldn’t stop their visitors being triumphant. Lee Hodgson batted throughout the Marton innings for an unbeaten 86, which included eight boundaries.
He faced 151 balls. Young Aussie Sam Jones hit ten fours and a six in making 73 from 82 balls. John Watson (29) was Saltburn’s leading scorer until Purcifer came late to the wicket and made 53 before being last out on 133 and beaten by 78 runs.
Great Ayton’s dismal day saw them bowled out for 86 by Hartlepool with Craig Symington (5-21) swopping wicket keeping duties with injured brother Marc and ending up one of the star performers. A half century by Jonathan Rickard included two big sixes to finish the match in 14.3 overs on 90 for a ten wicket success.
The day’s century maker was Sedgefield’s Niall Penfold, but he finished on the losing side. His highly admired 125 from 147 balls included nine fours and eight sixes, his first for his new club.
But visitors Guisborough won by three wickets after a stand worth 99 runs between Chris Allinson (54) and Phil Holdsworth (46). Four wickets for Connor Whitelock came too late.