Durham Under-14 Boys continued their fine start to the Royal London ECB County Cup with two victories over Lincolnshire and Cheshire this week.
Ben McKinney starred with the bat scoring 135 from 139 balls as the Under-14s enjoyed a 156-run victory over Lincolnshire at Barton Town Cricket Club.
Captain Mitchell Killeen won the toss and elected to bat, as openers McKinney and Hamish Barrie shared a first wicket stand of 169, before Barrie fell for a well-made 63 from 89 balls hitting five fours in the process.
Ross Whitfield then continued where Barrie left off with a fine 58 from 51 balls, supported by 16 from Owen Bulter as Durham closed their 50 overs on 307/3. Josh Knopton struck with 2/52 for the home side.
Lincolnshire started well in their chase for 308 with a first wicket stand of 65, before Jack Hedley had Lumbani Gondwe caught for 31. Drew Sylvester eventually fell LBW to Ross Whitfield for 69, which led to the Lincs line up collapsing and falling behind the required rate.
Jack Scott and Whitfield then picked up two wickets each, as the home side lost four wickets for 20 runs and 308 looking a long way off. Killeen and Whitfield then took the final two wickets to bowl Lincolnshire out for 151 in 41.4 over and win by 156 runs.
In the second fixture it was a closer affair against Cheshire at Stockport Georgians Cricket Club. For the second time in two days Durham batted first, however, this time being inserted by Cheshire skipper James O’Sullivan.
Ross Whitfield (34) and Hamish Barrie (24) got Durham off to a positive start with a first wicket stand of 48 backed by 25 from Ben Phillips but once all three fell Durham struggled losing wickets throughout the innings, being reduced to 115/7.
However, Owen Butler came to the party for Durham, at number seven, scoring a crucial 73 from 50 balls including six fours and three sixes to give Durham some hope, closing their innings on 186/9 from 50 overs.
Mitchell Killeen started brightly with the ball, to leave Cheshire struggling at 15/3, but James O’Sullivan was keeping his cool at the top of the order before Jack Scott dismissed the Cheshire captain for 55. Four wickets for the loss of nine runs, had Durham well on their way to victory, as Jack Scott picked up 4/28 and Killeen 3/1 from five overs.
Charlie Barnard offered a slight chance for the home side with 41 from 46 balls but he ran out of partners at the other end with Durham claiming the victory in 46.1 overs to win by 37 runs.
The boys are next in action at Barnard Castle School against Cumbria on July 4.