A perfect all-round performance with both the bat and ball saw Durham Under-15s open their ECB County Cup campaign with a nine-wicket victory over Lincolnshire at Cleethorpes Cricket Club.
Lincolnshire skipper Pranav Pothula won the toss and elected to bat, which from the off looked the wrong decision, as Lochlann Young-Hall dismissed the Lincs opener for 6 to have the hosts 7/1. Edward Brown then had Lincolnshire fellow opener bowled for 6, as Durham began on top from the off.
Wickets continued to tumble throughout the Lincolnshire innings, as superb spells of bowling from Luke Husband with 3-13 from 9 overs and Robbie Dawson 3-15 from 6 overs had Lincolnshire hanging on at 62/8 from 25 overs.
Drew Sylvester showed determination with the bat before running out of partners at the other end as he finished unbeaten on 16 from 52 balls as Theo Truss bagged the final wicket for Durham to bowl Lincolnshire out for 70 in 27.5 overs.
It was then over to Durham with the bat as they looked to close in on their first ECB victory and they did just that as Tom Bolam led the way with a 42 ball 40 not out, including eight fours. Despite losing Daniel Gray early for 12, Durham looked in no trouble as skipper Tom Ward supported Bolam with 18 from 24 balls as Durham completed their victory inside 14 overs.