Durham boys’ Under 18s 203/4 dec & 203/8 beat Derbyshire 303/7 dec & 102
Robbie Bowman scores an unbeaten 56 in the fourth innings as Durham boys’ under 18s record tight two wicket victory over Derbyshire at Darlington in final Under 18s Championship clash of 2024.
After winning the toss and being put into the field, Durham made a flying start reducing the visitors to 27 for five. Max Robinson dismissed the opening pair before Max Jackson took the next two.
Ishaq Khan took the fifth for Durham in the 15th over as the young Ds had the visitors under severe pressure. Derbyshire responded with partnerships of 67 and 124 as Harrison Parker made 105 from just 110 deliveries.
The visitors had scored 303 by the time they declared, seven wickets down with Khan and Will Alexander claiming the final two wickets.
After rain delays on the morning of day two, Durham made haste in response. Faizan Ghumman top scored with 49 from 48 and was backed up by 43 from Jim Twiddy, 34 apiece from Charlie Coulthard and Robbie Bowman with Bowman unbeaten.
Durham declared on 203 for four after just 44.2 overs and still trailing by 100; Parker took a pair of wickets for the hosts.
John Windows’ side made a fast start with the ball as Alexander struck in the fourth over. Robinson then grabbed two wickets in the 11th before Charlie Scorer took his first in the 17th to leave the visitors 59 for four, adding a further 11 before day two’s end.
Durham wrapped up the Derbyshire innings in rapid fashion, taking the remaining six wickets in just eight overs. Ishaq Khan kickstarted the final day in rapid fashion as he claimed a wicket in each of his opening two overs.
Max Jackson took three of the final four wickets as Khan also took his third, Durham bowling the visitors out for 102 and requiring 203 runs to win in the fourth innings. Both Jackson and Khan ended the match with five wickets over both innings.
Windows’ side raced to 48 within six overs before Ghumman became the first of Harris Ajaz’s six victims. George Fishwick made 52 from just 41 balls as he struck six fours and two sixes on his way to the second top score of the innings.
Charlie Coulthard and Jim Twiddy put on 33 together to take the young Ds past 100 before regular wickets began to fall.
Robbie Bowman held the Durham chase together as Parker and Ajaz reduced Durham to 133 for seven. Bowman and Noah Worthy shared 32 for the eighth wicket before the latter departed for 14.
Bowman went on to make an unbeaten run-a-ball 56 featuring eight fours, sharing a 38-run stand alongside Max Robinson who made 13* from 44; Durham reaching victory by two wickets.