Result: Durham 2nd XI (234/7d & 321/8; Trevaskis 65*, McCarthy 55) beat Derbyshire 2nd XI (362 & 191/4d; McKiernan 58*) by two wickets
Durham’s Second XI moved top of the 2nd XI Championship North Division after a nailbiting chase of 321 against Derbyshire.
An unbeaten 65 from Liam Trevaskis, ably supported by 55 from Barry McCarthy, ensured they snuck home in a tight encounter at Burnopfield.
The pair put on 77 for the eighth wicket after another string of solid performances from the top order, with Michael Jones also making 44.
The opening two partnerships set a base from which Durham could feasibly launch a chase as Jones put on 67 with Ross Greenwell (31) & then 45 with Chris McBride (23).
Three quick wickets reduced them from 149/2 to 161/5, but some quick runs from Josh Coughlin provided the encouragement for the chase.
Trevaskis proved the mainstay of the innings & teamed up with McCarthy to almost see Durham home, the Irishman’s knock coming at a run-a-ball.
McCarthy became Sykes’ fourth wicket but Trevaskis finished things off in the next over.
They leapfrog MCCYCs into first place & also overtake Lancashire after their draw with fourth placed Warwickshire.
Close, Day Two: Derbyshire 2nd XI (362 & 68/2) lead Durham (234/7d; Trevaskis 47; Sykes 5/73) by 196 runs
Durham’s Second XI face an exciting final day run chase after Derbyshire closed with a lead of 196 at the end of Day Two at Burnopfield.
Neil Killeen’s side declared on 234/7 after 64 overs, a deficit of 128 runs on first innings, in order to move the game along ahead of the third & final day.
In reply, Derbyshire closed on 68/2 & will look to make quick runs in the morning before setting a target.
They were bowled out for 362, with overnight batsman Will Davies falling agonisingly short of his century when clean bowled by Gavin Main on 99.
Durham’s batsmen produced a solid if unspectacular effort in reply, with each batter making double figures but failing to go on & make a score of note.
Liam Trevaskis made the highest score of 47, while Chris McBride continued his good run with 40.
In total six batsmen made it into or beyond the twenties, while off-spinner James Sykes took five wickets for the visitors.
Durham took two wickets before the close as Barry McCarthy closed on figures of 6-4-5-1. Scott Steel took the other, bowling James Kettleborough for 16.
Close, Day One: Derbyshire 2nd XI (300/7; Davis 85*, McKiernan 77; McBride 2/21, McCarthy 2/32) vs Durham 2nd XI
A big eighth wicket stand held the Seconds back after making a good start to Day One of the 2nd XI Championship match against Derbyshire at Burnopfield.
The visitors were set back to 112/6 & then 151/7 as Durham’s seamers kept a hold on the game with some tight bowling.
Gavin Main removed Derbyshire skipper James Kettleborough in the first over, his only wicket of an impressive 18-over day.
The Scot was backed up excellently by Barry McCarthy & Chris McBride & they combined for the next three wickets to leave Derbyshire 79/4.
A further scalp for the Irishman & two for left-arm spinner George Harding kept Neil Killeen’s side in control of the game at 151/7.
However, Derbyshire turned the game around through Mattie McKiernan & Will Davis as they put on a 144 stand, bringing their side back into the match at the end of the first day.