Durham Cricket men’s Academy progressed through to Finals Day of the Durham Senior League Protech Cup after defeating Castle Eden led by three wickets from William Hampson and 59* from Callum Gaffney.
After losing the toss and being asked to bowl first, Freddie Fallows struck quickly to remove Bilawal Iqbal, the opener stumped by Ross Abdy for 10. Kenzie Peakman then produced a good run out to send Keith Bailey on his way, leaving Castle Eden 28-2 early on.
Benjamin Simpson and Philip Wimpenny then put together a good partnership between them to steady things for the hosts, before Hampson claimed the former via a catch from Charlie Scorer to break the partnership at 48.
Henry Hopkins then pinned new batter Connor Crute LBW for 1 and Hampson dismissed Wimpenny via a caught and bowled to send Castle Eden from 76-2 to 77-5.
Hampson then had Jonathan Brown caught by Luke Doneathy for 17 to complete his three wicket haul as the hosts completed their 20 overs and finished on 108-6, Hampson finishing on an impressive 3-9 from his 4 overs.
Durham then started the chase but were dealt early blows when Kenzie Peakman fell for a six ball duck and Freddie Fallows went for 13, Keith Bailey claiming both to leave the Academy 15-2 early on. Luke Doneathy looked in good touch, but also fell for 13 as Castle Eden refused to go away quietly.
Gaffney looked to steady the ship, but lost Maxwell Jackson to a run out to leave Durham 56-4. That brought Hampson to the crease, and the pair set about building a partnership.
Gaffney took the aggressor role between the pair, finding the boundary regularly to push Durham back in front of the chase.
Hampson stayed with him, able to rotate the strike and support his partner. Gaffney reached his half century and quickly made his way to 59* with nine fours and two maximums to see Durham home by 6 wickets and 15 balls to spare as they booked their spot in the semifinals.