George Drissell, Haydon Mustard and Paul Coughlin all hit half-centuries as Durham Second XI edge towards T20 Finals Day after back-to-back victories against Leicestershire Second XI at Darlington.
Durham top the 2XI T20 North Group on 30 points, having claimed seven victories from nine games and have an 18-point lead over second-placed Derbyshire who have won two in six. All three group winners will progress to Finals Day along with the best second placed side.
Game 1:
After being put in to bat first, the hosts raced out of the blocks with a 42-run stand in the opening four overs before losing Wilf La Fontaine-Jackson for 23.
Singh struck twice in quick succession for the Foxes, removing Bas de Leede and Drissell (36) but Durham hit back with a partnership of 85 with Paul Coughlin going to his half-century in 32 balls including eight boundaries.
The Ds raced to 172 inside 17 overs before Coughlin became Sam Wood’s second victim on 52. Mustard went to 50 from 26 balls in the final over as Durham posted 207 for five in 20 overs.
Durham restricted the visitors early on and had Leicestershire under pressure as de Leede struck twice in the fourth over with just 19 runs on the board.
James Minto, Mitchell Killeen, Stanley McAlindon and Sam Conners then claimed one wicket apiece as Durham limited the visitors to just 145/7, recording victory by 62 runs in the opener.
Game 2:
Minto got Durham off to a fast start in the follow-up fixture with two early scalps. Coughlin then claimed a pair of wickets before Drissell struck on the cusp of 10 overs with Leicestershire 68/5.
The visiting side then hit back, crossing three figures with a stand worth 37 before losing three wickets in quick succession. Durham dismissed Leicestershire for 132; Coughlin claiming three wickets as de Leede and Minto picked up a pair each.
Drissell was dominant in response as he struck an unbeaten 79 from just 38 balls with 13 boundaries, taking his side to victory inside 12 overs for the loss of only three wickets.
Despite the early loss of Mustard, Drissell remained and scored 28 from 11 balls in a 43-run second wicket stand with de Leede and continued his assault as he went to 50 in 28 balls.
Coughlin added 34 from 20 balls as he shared 82 with Drissell to take the hosts to within three runs of victory before Drissell wrapped the win up with his seventh maximum.