IN a high scoring contest, Stocksfield fell just 20 runs short in their opener with Bates Cottages.

Their batting was on point but they couldn’t overhaul their hosts’ total of 219, ending on 200 in the second last over.

Promising 13-year-old Luke Doneathy stole the show for Stocksfield as he was promoted to the first team to aid the injury crisis, taking three wickets and scoring 39 runs on his debut.

He built on the good work of his elder brother James (2-37) and Emerson Brown (3-43) as they had Bates in trouble as they opened the batting.

The bowling performance was of a high calibre as Andy Wood claimed 1-36, but the total of 219 posted by Bates was perhaps 20 more than deserved.

Stocksfield went after the total and after the early loss of teenager Jonny Tobin (1) on his debut, Ben Archer (24) and Luke Doneathy (39) hurried things along.

Chris Patterson (12) and Tris Douglas (31) added to the mix, with Qood hitting 17.

The runs continued to come as Dan Whiley smashed 46, and Brown made 11, but Bates stuck to their task and dismissed Stocksfield short to start the season with a win.