Thirteen-year-old Noah Hoyle celebrated a memorable first senior five-wicket haul as Edenhall kept up their Eden Valley Cricket League Division I promotion push.
At home to Scotby on Saturday, Edenhall won the toss and put their opponents in to bat.
Hoyle dismissed opener and captain Will Eggleston for a first ball duck and then claimed two more victims as Scotby faltered to 12 for three. And, after Rob Bland claimed another victim and Hoyle ran out Joshua Page with a tidy pick up and throw, the visitors were teetering on 15 for five.
A 27-run partnership allowed them to steady the ship somewhat but right arm medium pacer Hoyle then struck with a double salvo — one with the first ball of his second spell — which clinched his fabulous five-fer.
Scotby were bowled out for 71, with the teen’s final bowling figures reading five for 15 from 10 overs, three of which were maidens.
In reply, Edenhall shrugged off the loss of an early wicket to make 74 for one in less than 13 overs. Callum McDonald was 26 not out at the end, with Jonny Kidd unbeaten on 38 having hit seven boundaries.
Edenhall are second in the table, seven points behind leaders Lanercost II — who lost by 31 runs against Braithwaite last weekend. Both sides have played eight matches.
Edenhall captain Jamie Armstrong said the season was going well as his side target promotion and the chance to test themselves against top flight teams.
“We lost our first game of the season narrowly but have gone on a bit of a roll and won every game since,” he said. “There have been contributions all round. There have been a few stand-out performances with the bat and ball but in general it has been a good team effort.”
Armstrong hailed the latest of those standout displays, from Hoyle, who is currently the division’s leading wicket-taker.
“This year I’ve entrusted him with the new ball. He has never let me down,” said the skipper. “The key is just his consistency, always hitting a good line and length.
“Bad balls are very few and far between. I’m glad he’s in our side. It’s bad enough facing him in the nets so it must be a nightmare for the opposition!”
Armstrong described the Penrith Queen Elizabeth Grammar School student as cricket mad, saying: “He lives and breathes the game and you can tell that. He’s mature beyond his years.”
Sitting third in the Division I standings are Nunwick, who lost by 25 runs away to Wetheral seconds.
Batting first, the home side posted 249 for six thanks largely to a 98-run opening wicket partnership between captain Bryan Garnett (51) and Zach Du Plessis (72), the latter then sharing a second-wicket stand of 52 with Olly Smith (52).
Paul Booker and James Tweedie took two wickets apiece for Nunwick, whose reply ended short, on 224 for seven. There were joint top scorers for the visitors, Tweedie and James Dent both making 49.
Caldbeck II were two-wicket winners against visiting Patterdale, who made 187 for nine as they batted first after winning the toss.
Terence McDonnell hit an unbeaten 68 in the middle order for Patterdale, while George Ellis and Oliver Wood took three wickets each.
In response, Caldbeck made a poor start and they were 12 for three. But Michael Strong then scored 106 not out — including 15 fours and three sixes — with assistance from James Stockdale (28), Ellis (22) and number 10 batsman Felix Broadbent (five not out) in a ninth wicket partnership worth 55.
Gamblesby triumphed by six wickets against Carlisle III, who made 103 for five from 28 overs batting first.
Adam Carter and Darren Coleman each took two wickets before Gamblesby replied with 105 for four from 18.3 overs. John Forrester made 49 not out, Harry Lancaster scored 24 and Jude Dobinson an unbeaten 20.
