Essex 321/7 & 133 (Patel 127, Agedah 63) drew with Durham 190 & 231/9 (Harte 105; Bhuiyan 3/53)
Durham seconds held on for a draw against Essex, finishing nine wickets down at the close of play.
Gareth Harte led the way with a fine century, scoring 105 from 137 balls, scoring seven fours, continuing with the bat where he left off with the ball, having claimed four wickets for four runs in the previous innings.
Harte was dismissed leg-before-wicket by Arafat Bhuiyan who struck with figures of 3/52 from 13 overs.
Wickets continued to fall around Harte who battled throughout the day, but Ben Whitehead and Brodie Glendinning saw off the final overs as Durham came away from Darlington with a draw.
Durham seconds require 265 runs to win on the final day of their three day friendly against Essex after 19 wickets fell on day 2 at Darlington Cricket Club.
Durham closed day one on 18/1, but a second wicket partnership of 95 between Michael Jones (58) and Gareth Harte (55) had Durham well set as they looked to overcome Essex’s first innings score.
Jones fell LBW to Jack Plom followed by Arafat Bhuiyan bowling Graham Clark after both batsmen made half centuries.
Stuart Poynter contributed with 41 from 30 balls but slow left arm bowler Aron Nijjar picked up 5/62 from 20.5 overs to clean up the Durham middle order, with the seconds being bowled out for 190 in 55.5 overs, leading by 131 runs.
Matthew Salisbury was on top form with the ball in reply, as he dismissed the top three Essex batsman for 10, 7 and 2 leaving the visitors 27/3.
Essex struggled at 63/5, before Gareth Harte bowled an impressive 2.2 overs picking up four wickets for four runs including one maiden.
Alexander Agedah scored a well-made 36 from 38 balls, but Essex were bowled out for 133 in 40.2 overs leading by 264 runs.
Close, Day One: Essex (321/7; Patel 127, Agedah 63; S.Steel 2/56) lead Durham (18/1) by 303 runs
Durham seconds trail Essex by 303 runs at the close of play on day one on their three-day friendly at Darlington. The visitors won the toss and elected to bat this morning declaring on 321/7 from 88.5 overs.
An opening stand of 52 had Essex nicely set, before Sol Bell had Essex opener Varun Chopra run out for 23 from 70 balls.
It was hard work for the Durham bowlers throughout the morning session, as Essex moved onto 93/3, but Gareth Harte dismissed Michael Pepper for 34 along with Scott Steel dismissing Feroze Isa Khushi for 28.
Rishi Patel was key for the visitors with a well-made 127 from 183 balls, with 17 fours and four sixes, however he was caught by Bell off the bowling of Graham Clark, who picked up 1/12 from 3.5 overs.
Scott Steel claimed 2/56 from 11 overs eventually dismissing Alexander Agedah for 63 from 103 balls. Second team Head Coach Alan Walker, was also useful on the field, covering as a sub fielder for Durham.
Durham closed day one on 18/1, as Michael Jones (9*) and Gareth Harte (7*) finish unbeaten at the close of play.