Result: Durham 2nd XI (421/9d & 25/2) beat Essex 2nd XI (111 & 333; Taylor 136; Harding 6/48) by eight wickets
George Harding struck with 6/48 as the Seconds enjoyed a dramatic eight wicket victory over Essex at Richmondshire Cricket Club in a three day friendly.
After winning the toss on Day One, Essex struggled to 111 all out as Josh Coughlin starred with the ball bagging 5/26 from 11 overs while Andrew Brewster picked up 2/52.
An opening stand of 109 was the perfect start in reply for Durham between Gareth Harte and Scott Steel before Harte was dismissed for 41. Steel (86 from 95 balls) and Michael Richardson (84 from 118 balls) led Durham to a comfortable position leading by 151/5 wickets in hand at the close of Day One.
George Harding produced a superb innings as he scored 74 from 110 balls before being run out backed by a quick fire 65 from Josh Coughlin to lead Durham to 421/9 before declaring after 89.3 overs with a lead of 310.
Callum Taylor led the way in reply with 136 and 77 from Joe Ellis-Grewal to offer some hope for the away side but a sensational late burst from left-arm spinner Harding swung the game back in Durham’s favour.
He starred with the ball, striking with figures of 6/48 along with two from Adam Hickey and one apiece for Arshad and Wallace, as the visitors lost five wickets without scoring a run on 308.
Essex were eventually bowled out for 333 in 118.3 overs, setting Durham a target of 23 to win and though they lost two wickets in the pursuit of quick runs, unbeaten knocks of 12 from Hickey and 11 from Harte saw Durham home.
Close, Day Two: Essex 2nd XI (111 & 66/1) trail Durham 2nd XI (421/9; Steel 86, Richardson 84, Harding 74, Coughlin 65) by 244 runs
George Harding & Josh Coughlin added half centuries as they closed requiring nine more wickets to beat Essex at Richmondshire CC.
Harding, unbeaten overnight, reached 74 after losing partner Michael Richardson for 84 shortly after the resumption at 2:30pm following overnight rain.
The wicketkeeper added six runs before being caught behind by Adam Wheater & Usman Arshad made 13.
Arshad’s wicket fell with the lead at 170 but Harding & Coughlin added 118 for the eighth wicket, dominated largely by the pace bowler in a blistering knock that contained six fours & four sixes.
The partnership, coming in just under 18 overs, ended with Coughlin being bowled by Matt Dixon before the declaration came when Harding was run out on 74.
Essex fared much better in their return, despite a 310-run deficit, & reached 64 without loss before Ryan Wallace removed opener Patel shortly before the close.
Close, Day One: Durham 2nd XI (265/5; Steel 86, Richardson 78*) lead Essex 2nd XI (111; J Coughlin 5/26) by 154 runs
Michael Richardson ended unbeaten on 78 as the Seconds finished Day One of the friendly against Essex in a dominant position.
Josh Coughlin & Scott Steel also impressed with ball & bat respectively as Neil Killeen’s men finished with a sizeable 154-run lead.
The visitors capitulated after electing to bat first at Richmondshire CC, with Coughlin the chief destroyer in returning figures of 5/26.
He set the tone for the morning from the third ball, dismising opener Patel & Callum Taylor in quick succession.
A fourth wicket stand of 31 was as good as it got for Essex as Coughlin returned to run through the middle order, with Usman Arshad & George Harding also picking up a wicket apiece.
In reply, a first wicket stand of 109 between Gareth Harte & Steel only further advanced Durham’s position in the game before Harte fell LBW to Matt Dixon.
Fellow opener Steel eventually fell for 86 but Richardson’s continued on his way despite the loss of three more wickets, scoring ten boundaries – including two sixes – to finish not out overnight.