The Nightwatchmen CC secured their first victory of 2004 by beating The Gudivers at Rockcliffe Park.

Batting first in a 30 over match, Nightwatchmen got off to a great start with openers Craig Hardy (25) and Andy Baldwin (20) putting on 35 for the first wicket. The introduction of Atkinson to the Gudivers attack posed problems for the Nightwatchmen and he dismissed both openers.

Martin Vickerman and Steve Lethbridge then batted superbly to reach 35 runs apiece and within the rules of the competition then had to retire.

A late flurry from Steve Earle (21) and Paul Williamson (12) saw the Nightwatchmen finish on an impressive 169 for 4.

Atkinson was the pick of the Gudivers bowling returning figures of 2 for 15 from his allotted three overs.

The Gudivers were soon in trouble due to superb medium pace bowling from Ian Dell who got rid of Chris Hedford and Geoff Kelly caught by Dobson at first slip and behind the wicket by Mark Colling respectively. When Paul Williamson dismissed opener, Atkinson the Gudivers were on the ropes.

When Gudivers star batsmen, Wake (31) and Robson came to the crease, the Gudivers crept back in to the game until leg spinner Dobson and off break bowler Vickerman ended their innings.

Ian Hunter then kept Gudivers hopes alive with a very good unbeaten innings of 25 but when Charlie watts was cleverly caught by Carl Sturgeon the Gudivers ended on 136 all out, leaving the Nightwatchmen victors by 33 runs.

The Nightwatchmen play hosts to the Gudivers in a return fixture at the

Nightwatchmen's home ground, Feethams on August 31st.

The Nightwatchmen are a team made up of fathers of players who represent Darlington CC while The Gudivers are a team of cricketers who have been playing together since 1984 and are mostly ex-Darlington college of Education teacher trainees.

The teams do not play in a league but both sides have a full friendly fixture list with the emphasis being on fun but everyone plays seriously.