NE Premier League: Boldon boost survival hopes as Groombridge inspires vital victory at Willington

Boldon picked up a welcome third win of the First Division season, clinching a five-wicket triumph away to Willington.
Whitburn bowler Matthew Muchall bowls against Felling on Saturday. Picture by Tim RichardsonWhitburn bowler Matthew Muchall bowls against Felling on Saturday. Picture by Tim Richardson
Whitburn bowler Matthew Muchall bowls against Felling on Saturday. Picture by Tim Richardson

Matthew Groombridge was outstanding with the ball for the Sunderland Road side after they put Willington in to bat, finishing with 5-34 as the hosts were dismissed for 162 in 51.1 overs.

Jamie Dass top-scored with six fours in 47 for Willington, biked by Adam Khan (24) , Max Bailey (16), Lachlan Marron (18) and Jake Dickinson (15).

Phil Mustard bats for Felling at Whitburn on Saturday. Picture by Tim Richardson.Phil Mustard bats for Felling at Whitburn on Saturday. Picture by Tim Richardson.
Phil Mustard bats for Felling at Whitburn on Saturday. Picture by Tim Richardson.

Anthony Brown weighed in with 3-36 for Boldon.

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The visitors’ response began with a 69 partnership for the first wicket between captain Chris Ellison (46, with nine fours and a six) and Oliver Sampson-Barnes (16).

Ian Pattison had five fours in 22 off 17 balls and Nick Sampson-Barnes managed three boundaries in his 22 off 42 balls, before Durham and Ireland paceman Barry McCarthy’s unbeaten 39, featuring four fours and two sixes, helped Boldon over the line, lifting them up a place to third-bottom spot.

Peter Leggett bagged 3-25 in vain for Willington, while Steven Anderson took 2-48.

Burnmoor maintained second place thanks to a narrow two-wicket success at home to fourth-placed Brandon.

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Brandon struggled to make 119 all out, with Stephen Humble firing 26 and Karl Turner 24. On the bowling front, Harry Munton returned 4-40 and Marc Symington claimed 3-26.

Burnmoor also struggled with their batting, as Humble and Gordon Muchall both bagged 3-22, but Craig Symington made 40 and Liam Dixon an important 25 not out at the end, to steer Moor to a precious victory.

Third-placed Castle Eden kept alive their First Division promotion ambitions with a seventh win of the season, drubbing Sunderland by nine wickets.

Greg Applegarth fired seven fours and a six in a 28-ball 36, but only Ramanpreet Singh (17) and Andrew Turns (15) offered any real resilience as the Ashbrooke men were skittled for 99 in 35.3 overs.

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Alan Unsworth impressed with a tremendous haul of 5-13 in 12.3 overs, while Isaac Unsworth bagged 2-7.

Though Elliot Smith dismissed opener Ben Simpson for 12, Liam Irwin hit 10 fours in 45no, off 60 balls, and Speed Bin Nasir had eight boundaries in a 33-ball 40 not out to guide Castle Eden to a facile victory inside 20 overs.

Washington found leaders Burnopfield too strong at Harraton.

The visiting bowlers had Washington reeling, slipping from 34-2 to 34-7, before Darren Smith’s resilient 21 off 76 balls steadied the ship alongside Graeme Race, who had three fours and three sixes in a 34-ball 44.

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Ash Thorpe, at No 10, blasted 10 fours in a 76-ball 63 before the end came on 182 after 51.3 overs. Callum Thorp led the attack with 4-46, while Lee Whitfield took 2-7 and Scott Steel 2-60.

Burnopfield had a poor start, falling to 6-2, but John Oswell (44, with six fours and a six, off 54 balls) and Steel, with a memorable, undefeated 106 off 57 balls, featuring 10 fours and six maximums, turned it around.

They added 105 for the third wicket and Steel got them home by five wickets, helped by Thorp’s 24no. Josh Wilson bagged 2-55 for Washington, with Race, Mark Watson and Thorpe also striking.

Gateshead Fell had to settle for a ‘winning draw’ in their derby at home to bottom club Blaydon.

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The visitors made 200-9 in 55 overs, led by opener Josh Burke (69) and Ross Nicholson (50), with eight boundaries apiece. Paul Underwood added 19, with Geoff Stewart making 16.

Jonathan Roseby stood out with 4-73 for Fell, backed by Andrew Porter (3-41) and Jamie Arkle (2-22).

Fell’s response centred on a unbeaten 84 from Malik Javid, with 11 fours, off 124 balls. But they fell short of victory, closing on 184-8 after 50 overs.

Rob Stacey made 14, Thomas Pinkney 15 and Sam Roseby 21, with John O’Neill swooping to bag 4-44. Gary Stewart took 3-34.

South Shields had the weekend off.