Anybody connected with Hartlepool Cricket Club would take great pride in the activities at the club this weekend.  Friday night saw the ground filled with keen young cricketers enjoying coaching sessions and practice matches.  Saturday saw the first XI travel to Barnard Castle and come away with a valuable victory and 20 points, whilst te second XI came out on top in the reverse fixture to move to the top of the table.

The seconds had a match which swung back and forth, after taking early wickets against the vistors Hartleppol looked like taking charge, but Barnard castle rallied and were eventually bowled out for 149.  A shock was in store for Hartlepool as they were reduced to 5 for 3  and the potential for a shock defeat loomed large.  Daniel Shurmer however  stood firm and showed his experience and talent to anchor the remaining batting.  His 82 saw Hartlepool home with good support from Josh Cannon and Harrison Smith as the seconds secured a good 20 points despite late changes to the team.  Kevin Peek and Rory Gribbell both boweld well to take the early wickets and place Barnard Castle under pressure from the start.

The first team dominated the match away to Barnard Castle with Jon Rickard and Jack Wilkinson sharing a century opening stand in a total of 184 for 8.  Barnard Castle batted slowly and Hartlepool forced the win with just 4 balls remaining as Marc Symington took 5 for 20 and Callum Prosser taking 3 wickets against his team mates from 2012.

After the disappointments of the Bank Holiday weekend the teams have responded brilliantly and the success on the field is being supported by excellent attendances.  Park Drive at its most appealling...summer has arrived?