Durham Under 16’s 162/9 beat Lancashire Under 16’s 161AO
Durham Boys’ under 16’s snook past Lancashire by one wicket to maintain an 100 per cent record and remain top of group 1 in the ECB County Cup thanks to a star all-round performance by James Minto.
After Lancashire chose to bat at Seat Unique Riverside, they shared an opening partnership of 46 before John Windows’ side took four wickets for the next 18 runs.
Will Alexander and Luke Symington claimed a wicket apiece before Charlie Burdon put to an end to the following two partnerships, leaving the Red Rose 64/4.
After a stand of 41, Durham grabbed wickets in consecutive overs, with Faizan Ghumman and Jim Twiddy both taking one. Ghumman then had his second victim, with Lancashire on 135 before Alexander returned to snare the eighth wicket.
James Minto came back into the attack to bring the innings to a close on 161 as he claimed the final two Lancashire wickets.
After the early loss of Ghumman, Symington and Robbie Bowman put on 52 runs for the second wicket before wickets began to fall in pursuit of 162.
Bowman was bowled for 29 in the 16th over before Ross Abdy was out lbw in the following over to bring James Minto to the crease. Luke Symington was stumped for a patient innings of 30, becoming Junaid Doctor’s second victim.
Harrison Prill took his first of three wickets as he bowled Alexander to leave the Ds 93 for five with James Minto still at the crease. The next two wickets also came courtesy of Prill as the hosts put on a further 31.
Dom Ward and James Minto shared 23 runs for the eighth wicket as Durham’s youngsters edged closer to victory. Ward fell with a further 15 runs required on the final ball of the 46th over.
James Minto almost took the side home but fell caught on 41 with five runs still remaining with one boundary in his patient knock. Burdon and Twiddy managed to guide Windows’ side to a dramatic one wicket victory with just one ball remaining.