Darlington Cricket Club

1. Darlington Cricket Club 2nd XI Year Book 2012

2. Toughest Test For any second team to do well in Division 1 they have to be rather special. These days there are so many good first teams wanting to gain promotion to the Premier Division that every game is a tough one. 2012 was going to be just that...TOUGH.

3. Dream Start at Feethams The first week of the season was washed out due to the state of the pitches around the whole of the north east so our first game was at home to Marske on the 28th April. What a start! Tom Chapman and Shaughn Russell decimated the seasiders batting bowling them out for just 35 in 25.1 overs. Tom had figures of 5 for 10 and Shaughn had 5 for 9. We managed to make it interesting by losing our first 4 wickets for 26 before Chapman saw us home to a 6 wicket win. Shaughn Russell Tom Chapman

4. Back down to earth with a bang! A trip to Redcar sent us back down to earth with a bang. An opening partnership between the seasiders Tom Urwin (105*) and Oliver Rogers (85) set the pace for the day as the seasiders amassed 214 for 3 In reply Keith Barker dug deep for his 52 and youngster Callum Lethbridge announced his seasons intentions with an impressive 39 Darlington’s other batsmen struggle however and were bowled out for 145 in the last over, just three balls from hanging on for a draw. Keith Barker - Impressive

5. Another defeat spoils bank Holiday weekend ! Bank holiday Monday didn’t get much better as we went down by 7 wickets to local rivals Richmondshire. Despite setting a decent total of 216 for 8 with an innings of 72 from Callum Lethbridge and 31 from Colin Biglin, Richmondshire passed our total with a couple of overs to spare. Clive Layfield (88*) and David Kelly (50) were the run scorers. Callum Lethbridge hits 72

6. Rain plays havoc with fixtures! Our next two games were washed out. Terrible weather meant our matches with Blackhall at home and Yarm away were non starters. The first team captain and the English Pro were disappointed to find there was no cricket to watch

7. Derby Day Disaster For the first time in several years we had a derby match against Darlington RA. Newly promoted RA were a strong side and we did well to accumulate 192 for 9 in our 50 overs. Jack Vickerman and Danny Morgans both hit scores of 50 before falling to the up and coming Callum Buckley. The Railwaymen had no trouble chasing down out score winning by 7 wickets. Ex Darlington batsmen David Eckels and Dale Marshal spoiled our day. Eckels grafted to an unbeaten 66 while Marshall smashed his way to 80 Morgans and Vickerman batting together

8. June starts with Defeat June began with a trip to Northallerton. We won the toss and inserted the home team. They managed 214 for 9 with Joe Clarkson scoring a half century. Dan Baldwin bowled well taking four wickets for 32 from 8 overs. Unfortunately our batting fell short. Only Keith Barker (pictured right) managed to cope with the bowling of Matthew Timms. Barker dug deep again and scored 51. The rest of our team failed to reach double figures with the exception of new skipper Lee Craggs (12*)as we were bowled out for just 105

9. Quick Revenge Over Northallerton A trick of the fixture list had us play Northallerton again for the Bank Holiday Monday match. This time at Feethams. Mark Stainsby scored 31 our top score as we made 150 for 7. It was the spin attack of Dan Baldwin and Mark Stainsby that gained revenge as the spin twins bowled the visitors out for 122 in 41.2 overs.# Baldwin had figures of 4 for 35 and Stainsby had 3 for 17. we won by 28 runs. Spin twins Stainsby (left) and Baldwin (right) earn 2nds a victory.

10. Two more weeks lost to rain! Our next two league games fell foul to the inclement weather. We were saved the long trip to Whitby followed by a home game against Guisborough. Had there ever been a worse season weather wise?

11. High Flyers Feathers Clipped Scores of 30 odd from Stainsby, Lethbridge and Chapman enabled us to post a total of 185 for 8 when High Flying Redcar came to Feethams. Worried about the strength of their top order after our previous encounter we knew we would have to field and bowl well. In a real team performance Chapman, Russell and Baldwin were amongst the wickets as we bowled the seasiders out for just 118 in 48 overs. The next two league matches all fell foul of wet pitches and Saltburn. And Marske games were cancelled.

12. Rearguard Action from Chapman and Lethbridge (S) saves the day. The trip to Blackhall was eventful in being able to oo and ah at their new pavilion and facilities. Nareem Faroz (60) and Neil Whitworth (65) were the foundation of the Collierymen’s184 -7 total. Dan Baldwin was the pick of the Quaker’s bowlers with 4 wickets for 48. In reply we found ourselves 53 for 5 and looking down the barrel of defeat. That was until Tom Chapman (pictured) and Steve Lethbridge showed true application in the face of adversity and battled through to earn the draw. Chapman finished on 34 not out and Lethbridge senior was unbeaten on 18 as we closed on 105 for 5 off 38.5 when bad light and sea mist brought a close to proceedings.

13. Richmond sent packing by Raine Limited appearances by the experienced Paul Raine had certainly affected the results in 2012. Paul was playing when we visited Richmond. We posted 161 for 6 batting first with mark Stainsby top scoring with 43. Adam Baldwin hit 25 also. Richmond fell foul to Raine and Stainsby as the two ex first team legends put the Dalesmen to the sword. Raine’s spell of 13 overs saw him return impressive figures of 4 for 48 and Stainsby had 3 for 18 off 12. We won by 25 runs as the home team were dismissed for 136 in 45 overs. Paul Raine, as fit as ever bowled an exceptional spell at Richmondshire. Below, Stainsby and Baldwin (A)

14. Two Bishop’s Centurians Darlo old boy James Alderson and Evenwood convert, Ryan Nicholson both scored centuries as Bishop Auckland 1sts amassed 247 for 2 declared in 41 overs. The only highlight of our innings was Mark Stainsby’s gutsy knock of 79 as we were bowled out for 164 in the 52nd over due to the declaration. The double weekend saw our Sunday game with Saltburn cancelled due to overnight rain. Mark Stainsby sparkled with the bat against the Bishops. Little used leg spinner, Grant Sowerby enjoys a spell bowling at the two Bishop’s centurians!

15. 130 run partnership! Marton were next to visit Feethams. Steven Lister was back in the fold from University and he opened and made 15. Keith Barker and Callum Lethbridge (pictured) then made a partnership of 130 to help us on our way to 254 for 5 Keith made 76 while Callum had 68 to his name. Marton answered with a century opening stand between Leadbetter (50) and ex Darlington pro, John Glendenen (67) Grant Sowerby was on song taking three wickets as Marton settled for a draw on 204 for 7

16. Bishops do double over Darlo! Bishop Auckland firsts continued their promotion push by beating us at Kingsway in a feisty encounter. Batting first Jack Vickerman (pictured) produced real back to the wall defiance in an innings of 82 not out off 150 balls. The rest of his team mates capitulated as we closed on just 138-8 in 50 overs. We managed to take 7 Bishops wickets but their strength in depth saw them through to a double league success over us.

17. Yarm outclassed! Russell allowed to Crow about his 7 wicket haul! Yarm looked the weakest team to visit Feethams in Division 1 being bowled out for a mere 42 runs in 21.4 overs. The mighty Shaughn Russell took no prisoners in an awesome spell seeing him return figures of 7 for 17 off 10.4 overs. Colin Biglin (27) made sure the game finished before tea time as we won by 9 wickets with ease.

18. Darlington hold out at Marton Marton posted 215 for 7 with Danny Kitching making 74. Mark Stainsby took 4 for 50 on one of his favourite ground in the league. We struggled against the pace of Marton axed first teamer Matthew Connelly and found ourselves struggling on 68 for 6. They say cometh the hour cometh the man and in a super rear guard action to save the day, 2nds wicket keeper, Andrew Sturgeon (pictured) survived for the last twenty overs to earn his side a draw. “Tubes” finished with his second team highest score of 37* The bank Holiday game at Seaton Carew was washed out. Hero of the hour...”Tubes!”

19. September starts with a defeat. September saw Guisborough as the second teams first opponents. We had an off day with the bat as only Colin Biglin (pictured) showed resolve in his 39 out of our 117 all out in 48.5 overs. Guisborough had an experienced side and despite our bowlers taking 6 wickets, the Priory men edged over the victory line in 41 overs.

20. Seasiders visit Feethams and take maximum points Skipper, Lee Craggs and big hitting Roger Briddock were the star batsmen for the second team against Whitby at Feethams.Openers Stainsby and Vickerman both got out in the teens as did Lethbridge. The departure also for 6 of Keith barker meant we were 65 for 4 and looking in trouble.Chapman also went in the teens and Skipper Craggs was joined by Briddock. The pair added 64 scintillating runs in the Feethams sunshine before Craggs fell bowled by Jackson for 40. It was hoped Briddock would continue but he too fell14 runs later for 32The last 4 Darlington wickets then fell for just 10 runs, our total in 47.1 overs of 175 was perhaps 30-40 runs short of a good score against high flying Whitby.Fawcett and Harrison share a good opening partnership stand of 65 before the former fell for 45. Harrison held the rest of his teams innings together  until he too was dismissed at the end with his side needing 5 to win. Harrison was 8th man out for 77 and was trapped LBW by Tom Chapman.Once again the experienced Paul Raine was the pick of the Darlington bowling attack, finishing with figures of 4 for 46 off 15 overs. Grant Sowerby and Tom Chapman both took two wickets

21. Destruction Derby match! Sixteen fours and four huge sixes by Matty Wheeler helped the seconds sign off their season with an accomplished demolition job on local rivals, Darlington RA 1st XI.Jack Vickerman got the ball rolling with an impressive innings of 40 before Wheeler coming in at four totally destroyed the Brinkburn road side’s bowling attack.Easily one of the most destructive batsmen on his day, Wheeler was the back bone of Darlington's innings total of 215 for 7.The big hitting batsman eventually went for 115 bowled by Dale Marshall.Roger Briddock added 21 quick runs at the end.In reply the Railwaymen never really got out of the blocks looking decidedly end of season off colour in their run chase.The deadly Quakers opening partnership of Shaughn Russell and Paul Raine proved too much for the RA early order and they were soon 42 for 5 with Eckels, Bell, Marshall, Lockey and Wright back in the hutch.

22. RA sent packing! Marshall was brilliantly run out by the second team’s answer to Jonty Rhoades, none other than Dan Baldwin. Dan’s celebration apparently will go down in the annals of history. He was still taking about his accuracy as last orders were called!Baldwin and Sowerby came on at the end and mopped up the tail but it was the quick men who’s figures were impressive.Russell finished with 4 for 38 off 17 overs and Raine signed off with 3 for 39 off 13.2 overs.The seconds were winners by 103 runs when the RA were dismissed in the 41st over for just 102A good win but the end of game saw the ever popular Mark Stainsby taken to hospital with a gash on his head after a slip in the shower.We all wish Mark a speedy recovery.

23. NYSD Division 1