Durham Cricket League: Wicling and Yiba revel in a day to savour for Murton

Murton opener Ben Wickling on his way to a century against Silksworth. Picture by Kevin Brady

Ben Wicling, the Murton skipper, hit 23 fours and two sixes on his way to 146 not out from 133 balls, supported by Sam Sanderson (33), Chris Winn (28 not out) and Lewis Aiken (24).

After inspiring a declaration after just 40 overs on 238-2, Wicling handed over to team-mate Phumzile Yiba, who then ruthlessly polished off Silksworth, the South African taking seven wickets for 14 runs as Murton won by 130 runs.

Gary McAvoy top-scored with 23 for Silksworth, while Ben Sims made 21, Paul Elerington an unbeaten 15 and Tate Spiteri 14. Matthew Aiken struck twice to support Yiba.

Ryhope lost to Evenwood by five wickets after being bowled out for 164, despite 37 apiece from Danny Douglas and Paul Jenkins, while Dave Gilbert added an unbeaten 33. Khan bagged 5-62 snd Wilkinson 3-45.

Tommy Teesdale senior hit 63 as Evenwood raced to vivtory on 168-5.

Littletown drew their game at Ushaw Moor, Shashikant Kadam almost forcing a win after top scoring with 33 and then taking 4-9, only to see the Moor cling on at 116-9.

Bryan Conlon (29), Harris (22) and Dan Pearson (21) offered the best support to Kadam in Littletown’s 149 all out.

Stephen Hancock’s 44 was the highlight of Ushaw Moor’s reply as Hall took three wickets and Joe Dodd two.

Houghton enjoyed a welcome second win of the summer.

They successfully chased down Langley Park’s daunting 261 all out, and they did it in just 37 overs as Gandhar Bhatawadekar (57 from 63 balls) and McKenzie Wright (80 not out from 82 balls) led the charge to a seven-wicket win.

Earlier, Ross Bainbridge grabbed 4-63 for Houghton.

The game of the day in Division Two turned into something of a disappointment as Marsden, in third place before the start of play, failed to offer any resistance to leaders Peterlee, who dumped them out for just 47 and then knocked off the runs inside 12 overs.

Aaron Shellie was once again the main man for Peterlee, the Aussie following up his 144 not out the week before, with a six-wicket burst that pulled the rug from the under the visitors. Andrew Laidler picked up the other three wickets to fall.

Despite Peterlee’s dominant display, Whiteleas moved to within one point of the leaders as they picked up more points from their defeat of Boldon CA.

But it wasn’t all plain sailing for Leas. They could only muster 143 runs first up, Stuart Johnson (4-31) causing problems for the visitors, but that proved more than enough as Abdul Ameer took over.

The former Pakistan U19 international proved to be unplayable, picking up nine wickets for just 24 runs in 10 deadly overs. CA were all out for 55 to lose by 88 runs.