NORTHALLERTON face their biggest and toughest test of the season tomorrow when they welcome current runaway leaders Middlesbrough (1.30pm start).
Liam Botham’s men simply must win to have any chances of lifting the North Yorkshire South Durham Premier League title come September.
A victory will blow the division wide open but another win for ‘Boro’ will pull them closer to back-to-back cham
pionship wins.
Another dismal batting display at the weekend could have cost Northallerton a shot at the league title.
They were in poor form on Saturday against Normanby Hall but will be eager to bounce back tomorrow.
On Saturday only Mark Cowell (13) made double figures for North’ as they were skittled for a paltry 56, Chris Witherley the chief destroyer with 6-25.
Botham’s side started off the afternoon well, restricting Hall to just 147, John Barnes the pick of the bowlers with 4-56.
However, their severe collapse in response cost them dearly, leaving them well behind Middlesbrough in the Premier League table.
Meanwhile RICHMONDSHIRE will be looking for Botham’s side to do them a favour when they travel to Blackhall tomorrow.
’Shire are still in the title hunt, two places below ‘Boro’ in the table.
On Saturday Clive Layfield’s men returned to winning ways against Redcar after restricting their opponents to 125 all out, Chris Layfield taking 4-14.
James Clarkson (45) and Jamie Stead (39) then top scored in reply as ’Shire pulled home on 126-4.
NYSD Premier League P Pts
Middlesbrough 14239
Guisborough 14 208
Richmondshire 14168
Northallerton 14 160
Bishop Auckland 14 156
Great Ayton 14 156
Marton 14 154
Darlington 14 152
Marske 14 151
Billingham Synthonia 14 142
Normanby Hall 14 133
Blackhall 14 125
Hartlepool 14 111
Redcar 14 89
The full article contains 304 words and appears in Northallerton Thirsk Bedale newspaper.
