On a day when there were six winners in the seven matches played, the main accolades belonged to Seaton Carew
Champions Richmondshire began the defence of the North Yorkshire South Durham title in emphatic fashion with a comprehensive 133 run victory over hosts Sedgefield.
But on a day when there were six winners in the seven matches played, the main accolades belonged to newly-promoted Seaton Carew.
Playing at the highest level for the first time in their history they marked the unique occasion with a fine display in front of a good home crowd basking in some wonderful mid-April sunshine.
And it was skipper Stuart Lobb leading from the front as he struck three early blows to leave Saltburn tottering on 30-3.
This early dominance provided Seaton with the upper hand, and despite a fine looking 66 from Niraj Patel the visitors never really got back into batting gear and found themselves restricted to 200-9.
Last year was a remarkable one for young Paul Braithwaite – he picked up a glittering array of personal awards at the NYSD presentations last autumn, including the Division One player of the year trophy.
And the 17 year-old, who has also excelled for Durham at age group level, produced a masterful display of batting. Undeterred by losing his two opening partners for ducks, and then seeing his side slump to 74-5, Braithwaite displayed great maturity in leading his side to an historic success.
He made an undefeated 95 and sharing an unbroken match winning stand of 127 with Lobb (63no) as the two heroes claimed a five wicket win with two overs to spare.
Marton are many people’s favourites for the title, but their challenge got off to a disappointing start as they succumbed to a spirited Guisborough by five wickets.
Chris Allinson marked his return to the Priorymen with a match defining bowling performance in which he claimed 6-37 from 15 overs.
The first five home batsmen mustered just 42 runs between them and it took the resistance of Alex Wardell (56) and Ben Hutchinson (30) to lift Marton to 151.
Martin Hood then saw off his former teammates by anchoring the run chase with an unbeaten half century.
Along with Richmondshire, Stokesley were the only other team to rack up maximum points for a victory, and they did so with a strong performance against Redcar at the SCG.
James Beaumont (64 and 3-33 in 17 overs) took the lead role, but the Weighell brothers provided a top class supporting act as skipper Andrew (35 and 3-38) and Durham Academy star James (69) dominated the Seasiders who fell 104 runs short of the home team’s 229-8.
Elsewhere a 10 wicket thumping of Hartlepool by dark horses Barnard Castle followed a ponderous batting display which saw Pools muster only 151 in 50 overs despite losing just four wickets.
Great Ayton’s Nick Hendrie was in a familiar groove, the South African steering his team to a close two wicket win over Middlesbrough with an undefeated 79.
Marske’s return to Premier action saw them claim a draw at Feethams.
In Division One there were wins for Normanby Hall, Marton, Richmondshire, Whitby and Norton, the latter looking to have put together a strong squad well capable of mounting a challenge for a second consecutive promotion.
In the NEPL Stockton began the defence of their crown with a comfortable five wicket win when chasing just 126 against newly promoted Whitburn. Alan Baird (4-25) helping reduce the visitors to 50-8 at one stage, and Richard Waite once again the Teessiders talisman with two wickets and an unbeaten 41.
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