Result: Durham 2nd XI (245 & 122/5) beat Derbyshire 2nd XI (119 & 247) by five wickets
Durham’s 2nd XI wrapped up a five-wicket win against Derbyshire inside the first session at Darlington in the Second XI Championship.
Resuming on 47/2, Adam Hickey and Christopher McBride moved serenely in the opening stages to take the game away from Derbyshire.
Hickey fell on 38 and captain James Weighell picked up the baton, hitting two sixes in an eight ball stay with the indifferent weather potentially at the back of his mind.
Weighell and McBride both fell to Greg Cork inside ten runs of each other, but Durham had put themselves on the brink of victory.
And Sameet Brar’s 12-ball 20 finished proceedings off to wrap up another win for Neil Killeen’s men.
Close, Day Two: Durham 2nd XI (245 & 47/2) vs Derbyshire 2nd XI (119 & 247) – Durham require 75 runs to win
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Durham need 75 runs for victory on the third and final day at Darlington after eventually bowling Derbyshire out for 247 in their second innings.
The visitors put up excellent resistance, led by captain Scott Elstone’s 42, as the tailed wagged to keep Durham at bay.
They added 107 for the last three wickets, including a final wicket stand of 61, to set James Weighell’s side 122 for the win.
Graham Clark and Gordon Muchall were dismissed before the close but Adam Hickey remains 23* ahead of the final day, which could be also be battle against the elements.
Should the rain hold off, the Seconds look likely to secure a victory although Rob Hemmings remains a potent threat for the visitors, adding two wickets to his first innings five.
He wrapped up the final wicket as Durham were bowled out for 245, before the visitors fell to 62/3 in reply.
Elstone was removed with the score on 106 before three quick wickets left them reeling on 140/7.
However, stern resistance from the tail end at least left a reasonable target for Durham to chase.
Last man Cameron Bell made 28 while Callum Parkinson was not out on 35 from number ten; Hickey picked up 4/58 to add to his three first innings wickets.
Close, Day One: Durham 2nd XI (235/9; Weighell 84) lead Derbyshire 2nd XI (119; Hickey 3/7) by 116 runs
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Captain James Weighell struck 84 to help the 2nd XI to a first innings lead after bowling Derbyshire out on Day One at Darlington CC.
Nineteen wickets fell on the first day but Weighell’s side hold the advantage after skittling the visitors for 119.
Adam Hickey took 3/7 to mop up the tail but the whole bowling attack chipped in with wickets, including 2/12 for Matthew Potts.
Weighell led the reply and his partnership of 118 with Sameet Brar put them in firm control with a substantial lead ahead of the second day.
Derbyshire captain Scott Elstone had elected to bat first upon winning the toss but soon found his side in bother at 36/4 with wickets for Weighell, Potts and Gurjit Sanhu alongside a run out.
The following three partnerships all reached double figures but none passed the 20 mark as regular wickets decimated them to 94/8 at lunch.
Hickey returned to round off the innings, recording three maidens in 5.3 overs to go with his three wickets.
Durham reached 79/4 in reply, with Gordon Muchall scoring 31, before the big partnership between Weighell and Brar ensured Durham took the initiative.
Brar was run out on 40 before Weighell was snared by opposite number Elstone.
Rob Hemmings rounded off the day with three quick wickets but the advantage remains with the hosts.