teenage batsman Richard Evans knocked up an unbeaten 177 before his club captain declared.

But it was only afterwards that red-faced skipper Ian Cruikshanks realised 16-year-old Richard had equalled the club's near 100-year-old batting record.

Hanging on for just one more run would have put the teenager's name on the official roll of honour as the highest innings scorer at Seaton Carew Cricket Club near Hartlepool, Teesside.

The team declared on 267-1 before the skipper knew that the record, set in 1909, was on the verge of being shattered.

To add to his blushes, opponents Wolviston fought out a draw in the North Yorkshire and South Durham Division One match because Seaton could not bowl them out in their 57 overs.

Richard, who notched up two sixes and 20 fours, said: "One more run would have done it, so I was a bit disappointed, but I was still delighted to score so many.

"I didn't have any idea about the record and it would have been nice to get my name in the record books, but I'm still young and there's plenty of time to smash records."

Embarrassed captain Ian, 38, said: "I felt sorry for Richard because he's the rising star of our team and it was such a good knock he deserved to break the record."