Day 4 – Durham 2nd XI 409/7*declared & 119/2* declared drew with Lancashire 2nd XI; 211/3*declared and 269/6
Lancashire declared overnight against Durham on 211/3 trailing by 198 with Angus Robson and Cameron Steel returning t0 the middle for Durham’s second innings. An 87 run opening stand got Durham off to a great start as Robson and Angus took an enjoyment to the Lancs openers.
Robson fell for 41 being bowled by Tom Hartley, nine shy of his half century, while Jonathan Bushnell was bowled for three shortly after.
Luke Doneathy came in and scored a 16 ball 17, as Cameron Steel finished unbeaten on 54 with Durham declaring from 27 overs setting Lancashire 318 to win.
The hosts started well in their reply, scoring an opening stand of 62, Jack Burnham pinning Syed Owais Shah LBW for 23. Brooke Guest scored a 78 ball 68 before he was also dismissed LBW by Matt Salisbury.
Lancashire were in a spot of trouble at 169/5, Jack Burnham picking up 3/38, but Edward Fluck (61) and Tom Hartley (26) steadied the ship for Lancashire.
Bad light then stoped play with Lancashire on 269/6, with the players shaking hands and calling the game a draw.
Close Day Three – Durham 2nd XI 409/7*declared (Poynter 93, Eckersley 78; Morley 4/60) lead Lancashire 2nd XI by 198 runs (Lavelle 92*, Jones 68)
Following a washout on day two at Chester Boughton Hall, Durham seconds went onto add 121 on day three before declaring on 409/7 from 120 overs.
Ned Eckersley and Stuart Poynter led the way with a partnership of 178 as Poynter top scored with 93 supported by 78 from Eckersley before he was adjourned LBW.
Both batsmen continued to make contributions with the bat after Cameron Steel (77), Angus Robson (51) and Jack Burnham 50 helped Durham get to a strong position to declare.
Slow left-arm orthodox bowler Jack Morley picked up 4/60, proving the pick of the bowlers for the home side.
Matt Salisbury struck early to dismiss Syed Owais Shah for 1 followed by Chris Rushworth having George Balderson caught for three.
Despite a good start for Durham, Robert Jones and George Lavelle steadied the ship with a 120-run partnership before Nick Oxley had Jones pinned LBW for 68.
Lancashire finished 198 runs behind on 211/3 at the close of play with Lavelle unbeaten on 92 with the Durham bowling attack sharing the wickets going into tomorrow’s final and fourth day.
Close Day Two – Day 2 abandoned without a ball bowled due to rain.
Close Day One – Durham 2nd XI 288/4 (C Steel 77, Robson 51, Burnham 50) lead Lancashire 2nd XI by 288 runs
Half centuries from Cameron Steel, Angus Robson and Jack Burnham have put Durham in a commanding position in their 2nd XI friendly against Lancashire at Chester Boughton Hall CC.
Ned Eckersley won the toss and elected to bat as Durham’s strong lineup set to their task well against an attack which included a returning James Anderson.
An opening partnership of 83 from Steel and Robson – dominated by the latter – set the Ds on their way in the opening session of the day before Anderson struck after lunch, removing Robson for 51.
Steel was joined by Burnham who hurried the scoring rate with a 50 off 84 balls which included seven fours and a maximum in a 108-run partnership, Steel then falling LWB to Jack Morley for 77.
Burnham was dismissed by Morley 9 runs later with the score on 200. Sol Bell departed soon for 14, removed by George Balderson, before Ned Eckersley 14* and Stuart Poynter 40* saw the innings through to the close.
Anderson, meanwhile, bowled 20 overs for the hosts taking 1-39.