Raby Castle CC on course for treble after Cec Leece trophy win

Darlington and District Cricket League Cec Leece Cup final
Raby Castle 160-5
Barningham 150-9

UNSTOPPABLE Raby Castle CC bagged their second trophy of the season on Sunday – and could complete a league and cup treble as early as this weekend.

Having defeated Barningham in the A Division Cup earlier in the season, the two sides faced each other again, this time in the Cec Leece trophy final which was played at Rockliffe Park.

It was a day of “what-ifs” as far as Barningham were concerned, who put in a much better effort this time round as some accurate bowling from Steven Walker (2-20) and Rob Stanwix (2-26) helped restrict Raby to 160-5 in their 30 overs. The Raby total was built around Simon Lee’s well made 72.

However, it was not the most straight forward of innings as he was caught on the boundary off a no ball – the bowler dislodging the bails during his delivery – and a routine catch was grounded.

But all credit to Lee who was the only Raby batsman to really come to terms with a slow surface and it was notable that the second top score were the extras, which included 23 wides.

Barningham’s reply started well with Stuart Laundy and Rob Stanwix putting on 43 at just under a run a ball before Laundy nicked one to keeper Andrew West as Dan Lee found some away swing.

Two more wickets stalled the run chase and it was left to Stanwix and Shane Rowley to rebuild. From this point, Barningham were always just behind the run rate, thanks to Simon Lee’s 1-25 and an impressive spell from young Joe Beadle, who picked up a couple of wickets.

Peter Forster eventually removed Stanwix for a hard working 54 and despite Steven Walker’s late blast, Barningham closed ten runs short of the target.

For Raby Castle, it was another triumph in what is becoming a season to remember. For Barningham, it was their third cup final defeat of the season.

By a quirk of the fixture list, the two sides meet again at Barningham on Saturday and with Raby 78 points ahead of Lands at the top of the A division table, it is quite possible they could clinch the title with four games to go.