Tom Briggs in the runs as Durham Men’s Academy get NEPL T20 campaign underway with games against South Northumberland and Felling.
Briggs top scored with an unbeaten 39 in defeat to South North at Roseworth Terrace as Durham found runs hard to come by in their opening NEPL group fixture.
Opting to bat first, Will Gidman’s side were pegged back in the powerplay losing three wickets with 36 runs on the board.
Wickets fell at regular intervals around Briggs who made 39* from 35 balls with four boundaries as the visitors posted 124/7 with Will Alexander and Nathan Gough taking two poles apiece whilst Jonny Bushnell and Oliver McGee shared two wickets.
The hosts struggled early doors as they were reduced to 18/3 in the sixth over but Adam Cragg led the way in response with 72 from 43 balls featuring three sixes and seven fours.
Harry Walker and Andrew Fowler claimed a pair of scalps each with Finlay Barlow also picking up a wicket but South North made their way to 125 with five wickets in hand from 18.2 overs.
Briggs continued his form with the bat as the young Ds took on Lanchester at Ashley Park.
The hosts reduced Durham to 21/2 but a 131-run partnership between Briggs and Aditja Paul had Durham in good stead.
Opening the batting, Briggs struck 62 not out from 49 balls with four boundaries and one maximum.
Paul top scored with a 56-ball 74 including seven fours and two sixes before being dismissed in the final over, with Durham putting 154/4 on the board.
Jordan Grosert took two wickets in the final over with one scalp apiece for Kieran Gohery and Kieran Taylor.
Gidman’s side claimed two early wickets as Lanchester made a fast start with James Dickinson and Zac Smith striking in the opening three overs, reducing the hosts to 24/2.
Jamie Dass (35*) and Luke McCabe (38) put on 71 for the third wicket before Harvey Lowe took Durham’s third.
Callum Brown hit 28 from 13 balls in a fourth-wicket stand of 38 with Charlie McPhail – who added 20* from 12 – as Lanchester made it home by six wickets with 11 balls to spare, despite a consolation wicket for Andrew Stonehouse.