Darlington Cricket Club

1. Final league position 2nd 1st XI Year Book 2012 Darlington Cricket Club

2. (c) DSM Cricket 2012 The 2012 season Beautiful weather around EASTER meant the first team squad could get some much appreciated training outdoors. However when the pre season friendlies and league season arrived.,..it was wet and miserable! In fact the story of the season was to be centred around the weather. Officially the worst cricket weather on record, it rained and rained. Indeed, the opening games of the season due to be against the league’s new comers, Sedgefield was called off well before a ball could be bowled. The whole league programme was washed out that day. We had to wait until the following week to see our new signings, Professional Jon Barnes and Martin Lower in action. Barnes had joined us from Northallerton who had been relegated last season and we were hoping the all rounder would help with experience to what still was a very youthful 1st eleven. Lower was an all rounder who had come from Sedgefield after a highly successful season in Division 1 in 2011. So it was that we made the trip to the seaside and although everything was still wet from the monsoon conditions of the previous week, the sun was shining. Martin Lower (above) and Jon Barnes (above right) warm up at Marske for the seasons opener

3. (c) DSM Cricket 2012 Seasiders Bowled out for 85 The opening game started well with us winning the toss and inserting Marske. There was a general excitement about seeing how Jon Barnes would bowl for his new club. An aeroplane celebration broke the ice when he dismissed the seasiders pro Hendricks with the score on just 1 and everyone relaxed a little. What followed was a joy to watch as Barnes dropped the ball on the spot with ease and moved the ball off the seam both ways. It was as if the wicket was made for him. His 17 overs went for 17. Marske were bowled out for 85 in 45.5 overs. We found it very difficult to bat on the soft green wicket also and were in trouble on 34 for 6 before Simon Lee steadied the ship with a determined and concentrated 49 not out as he and new boy, Martin Lower (7*) saw us home to victory. Jon Barnes showed why he was worth signing in the opening game with amazing figures of 5 for 17 off 17 !

4. (c) DSM Cricket 2012 Pointless Defeat to Richmondshire It was back down to earth with a bump when Richmondshire visited Feethams for game 2. The visitors were most peoples top pick for the league title this year and they certainly looked the part as the restricted us to 95 for 8 from 50 overs. Only Liam Coates showed any form as he made 37 unbeaten. Richmondshire showed there were no demons in the track as they made short work of knocking our score off in 35.1 overs. Gary Pratt being the only wicket to fall. He made 48 before he was bowled by Martin Lower. Layfield and Clarkson were in no trouble and we were well beaten by the better team as we finished the game with no points at all ! Early season form with the bat for Liam Coates

5. (c) DSM Cricket 2012 Doug’s Dig In Day Bank Holiday May Day saw us travel to Mandale Bottoms to face newly promoted Thornaby. We were back to winning ways and we still hadn't been in a game where anyone had scored 100 runs! Doug Mulholland gave a man of the match performance with ball and bat. Firstly his 4 for28 off 16.2 overs helped bowl Thornaby out for 97 in the last over. Then his 37 runs with the bat as he opened with Lee Hutton (15) helped us on the way to victory. Simon Lee managed another not out (17*) but everyone else struggled with the wet slow tracks. We lost 7 wickets in reaching the target score in 31 overs but we were back to winning ways. Mulholland can’t believe his luck as a close in catch is put down (top) and (left) he smashes the Thornaby attack

6. Do it yourself super sopper! (c) DSM Cricket 2012 Our game at Stokesley saw Peter Armstrong and Doug Mulholland turn up at the SCG first thing in the morning with the “super water sopper” from Feethams. So determined were they to get the game on they arrived and offered their services to the puzzled Stokesley players and officials. A delayed start saw a 44 over per side game. We lost the toss and lost two wickets for 7 runs. Then Liam Coates led the revival with his best innings of the season to date, a fine 68 before being bowled by their overseas pro, Brandon Viret. Barnes(30) and Dobson (26) then continued the hitting as we pushed for the biggest score possible reaching 176 for 6. Colin Biglin smashed his way to 25 in just a few balls in the last couple of overs. Our four pronged attack of Barnes, Mulholland, Armstrong and Lower shared the wickets as Stokesley were bowled out with just four balls left for 122 Stokesley’s Andrew Weighell had looked dangerous for a time but when he was brilliantly stumped by James Dobson off Jon Barnes, the home side struggled. Above Liam Coates on his way to a first half century of the season and below James Dobson a fraction of a second before he stumps Andrew Weighell

7. (c) DSM Cricket 2012 Coates on Fire! Middlesbrough were next to visit Feethams and were inserted by Peter Armstrong who finished the innings as our top bowler with three wickets.( 3 for 36) James Lowe scored a half century (51) and Adil Ditta 27 but everyone else struggled on an incredibly wet track. Boro reached 130 for 8 from 49 overs as again the start was delayed as we mopped up. Coates was again our hero as we chased down the visitors score. He made 62 and was assisted by James Dobson who as unbeaten on 23* as we passed the line for the loss of 5 wickets in 45.2 overs. Liam Coates with another half century as we notched up another victory.

8. Bulldog Spirit at Pools (c) DSM Cricket 2012 A visit to Park Drive to face Hartlepool was next on the agenda. Many were surprised at the state of both wicket and outfield. A low scoring games saw us win by 29 runs. Martin Lower opened and looked good for his 40 runs. James Dobson made 20 and everyone else struggled to reach double figures as we were all out for just 118 in 49 overs. The Hartlepool faithful were certain their side would be victorious with such a small score to chase. They had reckoned without Barnes and Mulholland though. The pair of seamers each took 4 wickets as Pools were sent packing for just 89 all out with just one over left. A terrific fight back in the second half of the game. Darlington were showing a bulldog spirit not seen for some time. Lower top left, Dobson top right Barnes left and Mulholland right

9. The Lower and Barnes Show (c) DSM Cricket 2012 Marton were the visitors for the next game. A team many thought would be title challengers, indeed they were the reigning champions. Only Martin Lower(pictured) (50) coped with the moving ball from Upal Indisiri and Neil Russell and were bowled out for just 135 in the last over. You couldn’t write a script like it...enter Jon Barnes who again gave a display of wet track bowling at its best. His 5 for 22 off 16 overs helped dismiss the Champions for 81 in 33 overs. Armstrong claimed 3 for 13 too. Another twenty points in the bag. The team were starting to believe in themselves. A maiden half century for Darlington new signing Martin Lower

10. Another Last Over Finish! (c) DSM Cricket 2012 Next up was a trip to Normanby Hall. A beautiful sunny day but when we arrived they had tried to call the game off due to a mysterious pool of water on the square. Plenty of mopping and the sunshine soon cleared this up and the game went ahead. Another new opening partnership was tried for this game Danny Morgans and Jack Vickerman who had been drafted in to replace the unavailable Lower. They accumulated 58 before Vickerman fell for 25. Morgans went on to make 35 in 107 balls playing the anchor innings while Coates (33) and then Dobson (29*) pushed the rate along. We finished on 166 for 5. The result would be dependant on getting the wickets of Gunarathne and Roberts. Once again it was the Barnes / Mulholland show as they both took 4 wickets. Roberts made 43 not out but his team mates capitulated for 103 with 2 balls left. Another incredible last over finish and 20 points New opening partnership of Morgans and Vickerman (above) and big hitting from Coates (right)

11. (c) DSM Cricket 2012 The Great Flood The 9th of June saw most games in the north east called off due to a week of rain. The day was sunny enough but most clubs squares and outfields were under water. Darlington however had other plans. A team of a dozen volunteers had by now got used to early starts getting the field fit for play in this wettest of summers. The scene meeting them at 8 a.m. However was one of biblical proportions! The whole bottom end of the ground was under water. A motorised pump from The Auto Centre and a Fire Engine from the nearby Fire Station helped get most of the water removed. The rest was mopped up or pushed off the playing area. The boundaries were brought in and eventually a 30 over a side game was possible against today’s visitors, Guisborough.

12. (c) DSM Cricket 2012 Barnes and Mulholland earn the draw Batting on a paddy field is the best description of what the Darlington batsmen faced when they lost the toss and Guisborough put us in. The amateur batsmen all failed but our two professionals, Barnes (66) and Mulholland (33*) saved our bacon as we reached 119 for 7 from our 30 overs. The visitors fared even worse on the track of death! Only two of their players reached double figures. Mulholland took four wickets and Barnes and Armstrong a brace each. Guisborough hung on for a draw with it finishing a winning draw for us with them on just 58 - 9 off 30 overs. The points earned helped our position in the table as no one else played. Jon Barnes hits a half century for his new club with a vital 66 against Guisborough.

13. (c) DSM Cricket 2012 Another Winning Draw Another rain affected match followed at Billingham Synthonia. A late start as mopping up continued and more rain fell saw us restricted to 39 overs in our innings. Jack Vickerman made 48 before being run out. Liam Coates added 33 and the rest struggled as we made 148 for 6 In reply Billingham also found it tough and they only had 34 overs due to another rain break at tea time. They finished on 59 for 9 with us once again being frustrated at not removing the last batsman. Mulholland and Barnes each took three wickets. Jack Vickerman cuts his way to 48 (left) and Doug Mulholland gets another three wicket haul.

14. (c) DSM Cricket 2012 Thornaby cause upset Thornaby were next to come to Feethams. The lads had once again worked hard to get the wet ground fit. This time however we came unstuck. We bowled them out for 71 in 32.1 overs. Jon Barnes took five wickets and wicket keeper James Dobson claimed 5 victims behind the stumps. (4 catches and a stumping) In reply only Dobson and Biglin managed double figures as Faisal Hussein claimed career best figures of 6 for 23. Darlington capitulated for just 59. Reality had hit home. Our batsmen had to come up with a way of coping with the moving ball on wet wickets...and fast. 5 victims for wicket keeper Dobson

15. (c) DSM Cricket 2012 Shell shocked darlo get draw at ayton A good indicator of how we may have improved would be to see how we bounced back after the Thornaby defeat when we travelled to Great Ayton. Ayton were a strong side and doing well in the league. We had them struggling at 35 for 5 and 83 for 6 but Croft came in down the order and he hit 64 along with Harper (41). They pulled their side round to finish on 197 for 8 off 50 overs. Doug Mulholland had bowled magnificently taking 6 for 63 off 17 overs. In reply we were 23 for 3 before Lee Hutton (40) and Jon Barnes (75 *) put on a stand of 105 to help us get a draw. We finished on 154 for 5. 105 run partnership for Barnes (right) and Hutton (left)

16. (c) DSM Cricket 2012 Sedgefield abandoned! We were 59 for 2 when an impending thunder storm forced the teams from the field at Station Road, Sedgefield. What followed was a huge thunder and lightening storm. The game was abandoned. Both teams decided on making a night of it and the two teams had a mid season night out in Sedgefield. We did managed one game at Sedgefield in the 15/15 league cup. Liam Coates smashed it in the coloured clothing 15s match at Sedgefield.

17. (c) DSM Cricket 2012 9 wicket win stretch’s lead Peter Armstrong (Stretch) took 5 wickets for 27 as Marske were bowled out for115 in 40.3 overs. We won b y nine wickets with Doug Mulholland in imperious form with the bat. He finished on 73 unbeaten and Jack Vickerman was also unbeaten on 37 as we reached the required score in 37.3 overs Above, Doug Mulholland uses his feet to good effect in his 73* while left Jack Vickerman played a supporting role. 37*

18. (c) DSM Cricket 2012 Barney turned to rubble by deadly trio Darlington’s three pronged attacj of Mulholland, Barnes and Armstrong were just too strong for visitors, Barnard Castle. A tail end revival by Toulson enabled them to reach 132 for 9 at tea. The Darlington bowlers just refused to give the visiting batsmen and lose balls to hit. In reply Liam Coates (32) and Lee Hutton (41 pictured )were the mainstays of our batting. We reached the required total in 33.4 overs for the loss of 6 wickets to claim another victory.

19. (c) DSM Cricket 2012 Pros do the business with bat while Armstrong on form with ball Both Professionals scored half centuries against Stokesley at Feethams. Darlington made 158 for 6 in another very tough batting wicket. Patience was the key and both Mulholland (50*) and Barnes (51) showed plenty as they made sure we had sufficient runs on the board. After the break Andrew Weighell scored 30 of his teams first 36 runs before Barnes had him well caught by Matty Wheeler. Mulholland then took the next three wickets before skipper, Peter Armstrong (pictured below) got in on the act with a great spell of left arm spin bowling. His 10.1 overs saw him take 6 wickets for 32 as Darlington bowled out Stokesley for 91 to win by 67 runs.

20. (c) DSM Cricket 2012 Richmondshire do double over darlo We had enjoyed plenty of highlights over the season but the following fortnight was to be the lowest point of the season. First we faced Richmondshire at Richmond and totally froze. Batting first, Jack Vickerman battled through 19 overs to get off the mark while all around him wickets were falling to an inspired spell of aggressive fast bowling by James Clarkson (6 for 10 off 17) Simon Lee (10) and Danny Morgans (10) were the only batsmen to reach double figures as we embarrassingly were shot out for just 53 Richmond had no problem knocking off the runs in double quick time winning by 9 wickets in just 19.4 overs. In two games against Richmond we hadn't turned up and lost them both without even taking a point of them. The following week was no better. We lost for the second week running as we visited Middlesbrough. Our season looked like it was about to self destruct. Old boy Dan Hodgson score 79* as Boro posted 178 for 8. A rare bowl for Liam Coates saw him take three wickets. In reply our batsmen by now totally shell shocked were doomed top failure. Only 17 year old Sam hardy showed any grit as he built an innings of 35 but we were dismissed for 124 in just 32 overs.

21. (c) DSM Cricket 2012 Make or break weekend for darlington The visit of Hartlepool was make or break for our season. Two defeats on the trot and the defeats had to stop. The captain was absent for this game and the following match at his brother wedding in Greece. Vice captain, James Dobson took charge becoming possibly at 19 the youngest captain for quite some time. We were asked to bat first and Jon Barnes (52) was the mainstay of our total of 159 all out A good performance in the field without Armstrong’s overs was vital. The Hartlepool innings ebbed and flowed as they attempted to chase down our score with losing themselves. In the end they settled for the draw finishing on 135 for 7. We hadn’t lost although Richmond were ahead of us in the league. Jon Barnes hits a vital half century to keep Darlington's title chase on.

22. (c) DSM Cricket 2012 Lister steps up to the mark Darlington travelled to Marton to face the champions, again without peter Armstrong. His flight was delayed and he texted every over for commentary! This was an amazingly complex and close encounter. Steven Lister was brought into the side by Dobson and batted at number 4 where he had impressed for the second team. An innings of class resulted and Lister made 79 valuable unbeaten runs in our total of 181 for 8 Juggling the missing skippers overs was to be the tactical problem and Martin Lower and Liam Coates shared the task both taking two vital wickets each. It looked like Marton were about to win when Veasey took on the arm of Coates. Big mistake. He was run out for 35 leaving the last pair 12 runs to win from 5 overs. It got down the last ball of the 48th over with 11 runs needed when Martin Lower had Benfield caught by Coates and Darlington had pulled off a remarkable victory. Steven Lister had an innings of 79*

23. (c) DSM Cricket 2012 Change of openers – hall beaten Yet another change of opening partners saw Danny Morgans return to the number 1 spot and be partnered by James Dobson. This one seemed to work as they put on 87 for the first wicket. Dobson went on to score 56 from 101 balls in our total of 183 for 6 Normanby almost won the game as Graham Shaw showed his class and experience in an innings of 73. He went for one big hit too many and was brilliantly caught on the boundary by Liam Coates. With Shaw gone the heart fell out of the Hall chase and the shit up shop 5 runs short of our total finishing on 178 for 8 Half century for James Dobson

24. (c) DSM Cricket 2012 Darkest of days at Guisborough Liam Coates scored a brilliant 61 on August Bank Holiday Monday at Guisborough. Rained delayed the start on the coldest darkest day of the season. A mizzly rain drifted in a strong win across the field all day. Mulholland smashed 26 at the end including a six into the Old People Home as we reached 153 for 7 in 35 overs. Chris Allinson played a good innings for the home side scoring an unbeaten 55 but Guisborough settled for a draw ending on 115 for 4. We had regained the league lead on Saturday over Richmond but Richmondshire gained more points than us from their draw at Marton and overtook us to lead by 1 point. Liam Coates on his way to 61

25. (c) DSM Cricket 2012 Record breaking performance The 1st of September saw Billingham visit Feethams. It also saw two Darlington batsmen score their maiden centuries. The first time this had happened since John Lister and Neil Riddell did it 24 years ago, two players making tons in the same match. James Dobson (105) and Liam Coates (101) put on a batting show for the Feethams faithful in their club 1st team record breaking 2nd wicket partnership of 199. Darlington declared on 240 for 3. Dobson hit 13 fours in 140 balls and Coates 14 fours in 125 balls. Jon Barnes 5 for 23 despite having a badly bruised finger helped Darlington regain top spot by bowling Billingham out for 115 in 48 overs. Richmond were held to a draw by Normanby hall and Darlington leap frogged them to go two points ahead with two games to go. Dobson and Coates reflect on their achievement.

26. (c) DSM Cricket 2012 Barney halt our title challenge Has there ever been a game where the spectators went through so many differing emotions?The first team travelled to Barnard castle for their penultimate game of an exciting season. Ahead of Richmondshire at the start of the game by one point at the top of the table, a lot was riding on the contest.Richmond were at Guisborough who were without several key players.A hostile atmosphere was evident for the visiting team to contend with and having lost the toss found themselves batting.Martin Lower replaced the unavailable Dobson at the top of the order and along with Dan Morgans the pair shared a 51 run stand before Morgans fell for 31.Coates and Lower fell quickly afterwards and the temperature inside the ground rose a little at 62 for 3.Hutton was next to go and when Mulholland was bowled by Usher we were 6 down for just 99. Barnes ran himself out and it was 7 down for 109.The championship hopes were slipping away fast.Strength in depth and belief in our ability have been key factors this season and cometh the hour cometh the man....enter Simon Lee and Colin Biglin. The pair brought back the smiles to the Darlington spectators as they systematically battled through the tension to save our innings.Si Lee droves immaculately for his 41 before being caught by Richard Stanwix at the wicket. Colin Biglin re enacted his innings at Barnard castle last year but went a little further this time his 68 ball innings  of 57 included 8 fours and one six.Peter Armstrong added 17 vital runs at the end to bring us a respectable total of 212 for 9 at tea.Barnard Castle found the bowling of Mulholland and Barnes difficult to contend with and were soon 31 for 4. Sutton was looking good taking the attack to the Darlington bowlers before he fell to Barnes for 25.Jamie Parkinson then gave a demonstration of big hitting in an innings of 52 which included 5 huge sixes. Armstrong's celebration when he bowled him let everyone know how tense the situation was. Wickets then fell at regular intervals until the last pair were at the crease. They put up a marvellous effort surviving ten overs to hold out for a draw ending on 127 for 9Word filtered through that Richmondshire had managed a win despite early thoughts that their game may end in a draw. This meant our 17 points allowed Richmond to leap frog us and head the Premier league table by one point going into the final games next week.Whatever will we all do for the tension and excitement on a Saturday after next week?

27. (c) DSM Cricket 2012 The final countdown... It would be fair to say the day began for players and supporters alike with a feeling of “what will be will be” One point adrift of leaders Richmondshire and they playing their final game of the season against bottom side Billingham Synthonia. They couldn’t possible lose could they? Perhaps our old friend Tariq Aziz would perform a miracle for Synners? Perhaps Mark Davies would be allowed to play as their registered pro having travelled up from Kent where his first class season had ended?All these thoughts and hundreds of others must have crossed the minds of the Darlington faithful as they prepared for “Super Saturday” and a real toughie against third placed Great Ayton.Ayton had announced on social network sites earlier that they would not lie down but would play a full strength side and what’s more beat us.So ....game on!

28. (c) DSM Cricket 2012 The final countdown...continued Perhaps the largest crowd of the season saw Darlington take the field to field first and presumed the Darlington captain had won the toss for just the seventh time this season. Not the case...Ayton have had success batting first of late and so the toss was abandoned and a gentleman’s agreement took place with a handshake and Darlington fielded.There were whoops of joy when Chris Batchelor was caught behind by Sturgeon off the bowling of Mulholland for just 2 runs and even more when Wilkinson soon followed, pouched at first slip by Lee off Barnes. The visitors in trouble at 21 for 2.Lewey Harper and South African Brad Moses then shared a useful 61 run partnership with Harper being the dominant partner before he too fell to Barnes again caught at the wicket by Sturgeon for 49. Stephen Pennock joined Moses and the Darlington side knew if they could remove these two they were as good as through the visitors batting.Pennock took some time to get going but eventually swept his way to 37 before holing out on the deep mid wicket boundary to an excellent catch by Danny Morgans. Moses had gone for 25 too and Ayton were now 97 for 5.

29. (c) DSM Cricket 2012 The final countdown...continued The game drifted at this point and Ayton picked up runs to add another70 runs before we finally bowled them out in the final over for 167. Mulholland was the star man finishing with 5 for 60 from 16.3 overs and Jon Barnes ended with 4 for 39 from 17. Strangely we only used three bowlers and Peter Armstrong was wicket less with 0 for 52 off 16 overs.  Wicket keeper Andrew Sturgeon again did a good job and took four catches behind the wicket.Not a huge total top chase down and openers Morgans and Lower set off on the chase well. Putting on 47 for the first wicket before Morgans nicked one to Grainge behind the stumps to become the first of Lewey Harper's five victims.With three runs to his name Liam Coates was adjudged LBW for the fifth time this season and a few balls later Martin Lower fell the same way for 30 runs this was his 6th dismissal leg before.Steven Lister was batting at number four and set his stall out to bat sensibly and whittle away at the visitors total. While he was doing this from one end, there seemed to be a bit of panic creeping in to our batting as Hutton, Mulholland S Lee and Barnes all went in quick succession.

30. (c) DSM Cricket 2012 The final countdown...continued 84 for 6 was not the score you wanted when word was filtering through that Richmond only needed twenty odd to win.Biglin had managed to continue his form from last week and had reached thirty before being bowled by David Grainge.Lister was stranded on 34 at one end while Armstrong and Sturgeon came and went for ducks at the other as Darlington were bowled out for 143 in the 48th over.Word came through that the celebrations had begun at Richmond with Shani Dissanayake deservedly hitting the winning runs. The brave title chase by Darlington had come to an end. They had finished runners up, an achievement they can be proud of.Efforts at getting games on where other clubs failed meant we had played more games than other clubs, we had struggled in the batting department while wickets were soft. Our youngsters had grown in stature as the season went on and out two professionals with the ball had been magnificent.

31. (c) DSM Cricket 2012 The final countdown...continued No doubt there is plenty for the cricket committee to discuss in the coming weeks in deciding the way forward for this team and how we can build on the progress we have made.I am sure the players themselves would like to thank all the people who have come to home and away games to follow their adventure this season. One couple actually make a huge round trip to each game from Stanley and rarely miss a game. Another couple travel in from West Auckland. They will be disappointed that we came so close to winning the first Premier title since 1990 but I know they are proud at the performance of the team and at the exciting cricket they have played in 2012. Well done to all the squad. Written and compiled by; Tim Dobson Photography by DSM Cricket, Alan Lacey, Robin King, Mel Dobson.

32. (c) DSM Cricket 2012 Final league table – (Finished Runners Up)