NE Premier League: Burnham quick to make impact as Lyons start with derby triumph against Eppleton

Eppleton won the toss, but opted to field and paid the price as Lyons posted 201-8 declared in their 55 overs.

Openers Jonny Malkin and Stuart Walker each fell for nine, but Jack Burnham’s 80-ball 63, with seven fours and three sixes, sparked the home side.

He put on 80 for the third wicket with Chris Martin (36, with a four and a six), before captain Jarvis Clay (27, with four boundaries), Carl Watson (18) and Chris Ralston (19) steered Lyons above 200.

Connor Whitelock shone with the ball for Eppleton, snaffling 4-23 in nine overs, with Josh Coughlin, Dom Stuart and Piers Davison all striking once.

Eppleton could not match Lyons with the bat. They slipped to 15-3 early on and their innings ended on 77 all out in the 40th over.

Opener Luke Henderson top-scored with a 66-ball 20, with two fours, backed only by Dean Musther (14) and Whitelock (10)

Robert Talbot starred with 4-13 in 8.4 destructive overs, while Watson (2-13), Ben Whitehead (2-18) and Cameron Grimwood (2-11) also made a big impact.

Chester-le-Street started their season well, with a resounding eight-wicket victory over the Durham Academy.

Ryan Davies produced a magnificent knock of 147 for the Academy youngsters, with the impressive opener hitting nine fours and six sixes in a blistering 145-ball stay at the crease before becoming the seventh wicket to fall.

Only Ross Greenwell (11), Adam Ahmed (22) and Faizan Hussain (15) got into double figures, though, and the visitors declared on 223-9 after 54.4 overs.

Quentin Hughes (2-54), Andrew Bell (2-21) and John Harrison (2-24) were the pick of Chester’s bowlers, with Liam Burgess and Andrew Smith also striking.

Chester were up for the run-chase from the start and a 142-run first-wicket partnership led the way as Kyle Davis hit eight fours and a six in 84 not out, off 118 balls, and George Harrison fired 11 fours and a six in a 113-ball 76.

Davis and Smith (37, with three fours and a six) added 57 for the second wicket before victory arrived in the 48th over.

Hussain and William Angus took the only wickets to fall.

Whitburn held on for a draw at Tynemouth, but the home side dominated much of the game.

Tynemouth scored 202-9 declared in 51 overs, with Ben Debnam hitting 40, but Michael Jones stole the show with an excellent 120.

Whitburn struggled throughout their innings, They faced some good bowling from David Hymers early on, but were mesmerised by Mark Watt, who took 6-9 on his debut.

But the Villagers gamely held on for the draw, reaching the close on 107-9.

Champions South Northumberland began with a four-wicket home win against Stockton.

Asked to bat first, the Teessiders made 164 all out, with George Harding hitting 51 from 84 balls, with six fours and a six, putting on 71 runs for the sixth wicket with Robert Peregrine (25).

Chris Hooker added 25, with two boundaries.

Jonny Wightman, Sean Tindale, Lee Crozier and Durham’s Liam Trevaskis took two wickets apiece.

The champions fell to 48-3 in reply, but John Graham (79, with nine fours and a six) and skipper Adam Cragg (32 off 81 balls) put on 95 for the fourth wicket, all but clinching victory. Jamie Harrison grabbed 2-39.

Newly promoted Sacriston will have to wait until next week for their top-flight bow.

No play was possible, despite the sunshine, because of an unfit pitch.

The same disappointment befell Felling, who were due to host Benwell Hill.