Pool go top as Boro are held

WITH the champions, Middlesbrough, held up by one of the best batting displays by an opposition side at Acklam Park for many years, Hartlepool moved calmly to the top Premier League.

Marton, who have become more formidable with every season, showed no respect for Boro’s usually dominant bowling attack.

They chalked up 269 for the loss of five wickets with Jonny Spillane producing a thrilling display.

He made an undefeated 89 from 117 balls with ten fours and two sixes.

He shared a partnership of 72 with John Glendenen (37) after Lee Hodgson, who hit 51 from 63 balls, got the innings off to a dazzling start, reaching 91 for the first wicket.

Boro’s response, as expected, was to go for the runs.

But after James Lowe (45) was out after an opening stand of 80, Paul Johnston (76 from 110 balls) found the target a tough one.

When his innings ended in the game’s last over his side were still 93 runs behind on 176 for six.

Marton professional, Mohammed Zahid (4-77 from 25 overs) made sure his side took the biggest share of the points in a notable draw.

Hartlepool grabbed their second successive victory when they beat promoted Thornaby.

It was the Mandale club’s first match back on their own track since they won promotion but they couldn’t stop their visitors reaching 258 for eight.

Chris Fawcett (87 from 80 balls, including 16 fours) and Mike Gough (71 from 92 balls with 11 fours) put on 162 in a whirlwind opening stand, although Ian Macdonald (4-57) and Leigh Beaumont (3-97) stuck manfully to their task.

Pools’ new professionals, Janaka Gunaratne, who took four for 34 on his debut, and Marc Symington (4-57) swept the visitors to a 108-run victory, despite defiant knocks from Chris Metcalfe (60 not out) and Neil Coverdale (41) in a score of 150.

Marske and Blackhall grabbed their first wins of the season.

The Seasiders got the better of Northallerton and the former Colliery club sent Billingham Synthonia to the foot of the table.

Farrukh Iqbal was in great form with 56 and five wickets for Blackhall in the continued absence of Warren Swan, their South African pro, who has been delayed. John Darby made 54 as the Synners reached 154 for seven at just three runs an over, despite Keith Hewson making a splendid half century.

Stand-in pro, Masood Mirza, spun Billingham into trouble.

Marske won by three wickets after Northallerton were bowled out for 175 with Steve Chapman (3-36) and skipper Chris Nicholls (3-61) taking the honours.

Then Gary Lynch (50), Chapman (47) and Karl Bramwell (two sixes and two fours in an unbeaten 28) rattled up the required runs with seven overs to spare.

Jon Barnes (4-45) and Richard Bentley didn’t have a third bowler in form for Northallerton.

Great Ayton figured in a battle royal for a second week but instead of having to bat out for a remarkable draw, as in their opening game, they suffered this time as Richmondshire’s tail-enders played out the final overs.

Ayton’s Chris Batchelor (79 from 74 balls) and Riaz Afridi (61 including four sixes and four fours) brought a declaration after 47 overs.

Despite seven wickets for the Pakistan all-rounder to follow the eight he took a week ago, Richmondshire produced excellent resistance.

Matt Brown (58), James Clarkson (40) and pro, Ziafat Ashraf (40), gave them early stability.

But Afridi’s seven for 93 from 22 overs made sure the Dalesmen got no closer than 184 for nine, 44 runs short.

Doug Mulholland, the new Darlington professional, had to rally his team-mates with an unbeaten 46 in a thoughtful 78-ball innings as they were in danger of being submerged by Guisborough.

He came to the wicket on 41 for three and was still there at the end on 153 for seven.

In the Priory club’s knock of 196 for eight, Martin Hood, with a magnificent 97, was the star performer.

He faced 140 balls and hit 62 in boundaries before skying a catch trying to become the first century-maker in the league this season.

Tariq Aziz (42) showed good form in his new surroundings but it didn’t prevent Peter Armstrong, formerly the Norton skipper, bagging five wickets for the Quakers.

In Division One, Barnard Castle and Stokesley lead the way after two games – both seeing off respected opponents in Seaton Carew and Redcar respectively.