Durham Men’s Academy rounded off their North East Premier League T20 campaign with two wins and two losses finishing with a last ball thriller against Eppleton at Church Road.
John Window’s side picked up their second win after a comprehensive 76 run win over Philadelphia at Bunker Hill, in a low scoring clash.
Philadelphia won the toss and elected to field and got off to a strong start reducing the Academy to 3/28 as Gary Embleton dismissed both openers cheaply.
Despite losing three quick wickets, 23 from Hugo Price helped Durham Academy to 127 – being bowled out on the final ball of the innings.
Myles Price added 15 and Charlie Burdon 11, with Manishankar Murasingh, Gary Embleton, Daniel Reed and Adam McGuire all picking up two wickets apiece.
In reply – Philadelphia started in the same way as the Academy and were reduced to 34/5 as only Murasingh reached double figures with his 18 off 16 balls.
Luke Symington was the pick of the Academy bowlers with 4-19, while Croft (3-6) and Faizan Ghumann (2-9) also were in the action as Philadelphia were bowled out for 51 in 15.1 overs, as Durham Academy won by 76 runs.
In their final NEPL T20, Brett Hutchinson won the toss and elected to bat and found the going tough from the off with Jake Pratt picking up the first wicket when Owen Harwood was caught for 6 by Harry Fairbairn.
Hugo Croft (18) and Ronnie Gilmour (15) both got in but fell to Jack Johnson and Andrew Ebdale as the Academy were 49/2 at the halfway stage.
Will Alexander top scored with 32 but was run out by Edward Brown – the runout brought Matthew Robinson to the crease who smashed 3 sixes in 21 off 7 balls backed by 21 not out from Myles Price as the Academy closed on 133/6 from 20.
Eppleton started well and were up with the rate from the off – with Dean Musther and Praveen de Silva adding 43 for the first wicket – as Musther departed for 36 caught at cover to Myles Price.
The home side lost 3 wickets for 10 runs as Jack Johnson and Jake Pratt fell cheaply but Sri Lankan de Silva steadied the ship with his 34 off 34 – with a four and a six.
When de Silva fell stumped – trying a reverse paddle – Durham Academy were on top and on course for victory.
Needing 23 off 2 overs -Brett Hutchinson went for 19 runs off the penultimate over as Edward Brown scooped the first ball for six – with Eppleton requiring 4 off the final over.
The hosts managed 3 off the first five balls, requiring 1 off the final delivery with Edward Brown hit for 4 as Eppleton won by 5 wickets off the final ball of the match.