Durham Cricket boy’s Academy made it two from three to kick off their 2024 North East Premier League Banks Cup campaign.
They fell to a narrow four run defeat against Philadelphia at Bunker Hill, in a low scoring affair. After losing the toss and being asked to bowl first, James Minto made an early impact by removing Matthew Robinson for nine.
Charlie Scorer and Teddy Minto then got in on the act as the bowlers kept it tight, with good glovework from Ross Abdy with a catch and a stumping to leave Philadelphia 51-3.
Scorer also removed Shaun Hauxwell for a golden duck by pinning him in front and Will Alexander got Matty Noble caught behind for 31 as Philadelphia closed their 20 overs on 107/5.
In reply, Durham got off to a shaky start as Will Alexander departed second ball without scoring and Kenzie Peakman went for six, Matthew Robinson picking up both.
Owen Harwood joined Abdy in the middle before the latter was dismissed for 17, leaving the Ds in trouble at 25-3. Harwood and James Minto added 40 before Harwood was removed after scoring 22.
Durham continued to lose regular wickets, but 22 from James Minto and 19 from Maxwell Jackson managed to take the chase right down to the final over.
However, it was not meant to be for the Academy as two run outs denied them any chance of victory, finishing on 103/9.
The boys’ Academy then cruised to a comfortable 60 run victory against Seaham Harbour.
After being asked to bat by the Harbour, Durham looked to get off to a positive start and Robbie Bowman and Ross Abdy were able to do so, putting together a partnership of 41 before the former was bowled for 22.
Owen Harwood came to the crease and he was able to carry on the positive approach, even as Abdy fell lbw for 17.
Harwood and Callum Gaffney struck quickly as Gaffney made 33 from 22 balls before departing. That triggered a flurry of wickets for the hosts as Gaffney, Harwood and James Minto all fell in quick succession to leave the D’s 112/4.
Joe Twiddy’s 15 from 13 allowed Durham to finish on 139/6, before the bowlers got into their work with Kenzie Peakman bowling former Durham professional Jack Burnham for a golden duck.
Seaham then put together a strong second wicket partnership before Teddy Minto picked up his first and second wickets in quick succession, removing Ian Pattison for 44 and Steven Gale for 17. William Hampson got in on the act too, as Durham pinned back Seaham at 72/4.
Durham then made light work of the remaining lineup removing five batters for just one run combined.
Will Hampson was in fine form with the ball as he picked up 5 wickets for just 3 runs from 4 overs as Durham cruised to victory by 60 runs.
An unbeaten 61* from Luke Symington backed by 45 from Haydon Mustard helped Durham to an 8 wicket win over Castle Eden at the Parklands.
The hosts won the toss and elected to bat, posting 137/7 from 20 overs as Bilawal Iqbal top scored with 46 from 28 balls with 5 fours and 3 sixes.
Nicholas Sampson-Barnes added 25 as the Durham Academy young guns shared the wickets around with Kenzie Peakman, James Minto and William Hampson picking up 2 wickets apiece.
In reply, an opening stand of 75 between Symington and Mustard had Window’s side well on their way to victory as Durham won with 2 overs to spare and make it 2 from 3.