16TH WIN FROM PENULTIMATE BALL, HIGHEST EVER SN POINTS TOTAL IN NEPL SEALS BULLS UNDEFEATED LEAGUE SEASON

10th Sep 2018

SNCC 300-6 (50o) Simon Birtwisle 53, Sean Tindale 82, John Graham 29, Peter Borren 63, Liam Trevaskis 40*: Matt Whitty 4-95, Chris Nicholls 1-64, Phil Mustard 1-29.

FELLING 118ao (44.5o) Phil Mustard 26, Dale Shaw 24: Sean Tindale 5-16, Lee Crozier 2-33, Jonny Wightman 1-59, Peter Borren 1-6, Simon Birtwisle 1-1.

SN 26 pts Felling 2.

Sponsored By:Dukes

Needing 21 points to exceed the highest ever points total by SN in the NEPL era, 465 in 2014,  the Champions had to wait until the penultimate ball of the 45th over to overcome an obdurate Felling. Adam Cragg taking the catch diving forward to snaffle Tony Trotter at 3rd slip off the impressive Sean Tindale (12.5-4-16-5).

The day began with SN winning the toss & choosing to bat. There was a threat of rain later but the sun shone at the start. Simon Birtwisle & Sean Tindale faced the seam of Paul Leonard & Dale Shaw. There was an end of season feel to proceedings as both openers scored at 5/over. Shaw was replaced by Trotter after 10 overs but the rate was maintained until Nicholls began a probing spell from the Grove end which resulted in Birtwisle being bowled for an entertaining 53 (6x4, 72b, 79m) in the 23rd over, 94-1.

John Graham joined Tindale & Nicholls accuracy slowed the scoring rate such that his first 9 overs went for only 12. Ex Bull Matt Whitty began a spell from the Park end in the 30th & at 143 in the 34th, his 3rd, had Graham caught at the wicket for 29. Peter Borren showed attacking intent &, before the rain, had scored 48* from 21 balls. Sean was on 72*. The rain became heavier, the players left the field at 1418  & an early lunch was called at 1430 with the score at 212-2. After a miserly start, Nicholls last 4 overs had gone for 45 as Borren launched.

On resumption at 1502, the overs were curtailed to 50/45. Further attacking intent saw Borren eventually stumped by Hurst off Whitty for an excellent 63 (5x4, 3x6, 34b, 46m). Three balls later Sean was c&b by Whitty for 82(8x4,1x6, 129b,172m) an invaluable innings. 

Captain Cragg 13 (,1x6,1x4, 5b) provided a forceful cameo before being bowled by Mustard's leg breaks which heralded the arrival of Liam Trevaskis who carried on where Borren left off. Rob Peyton (7), after one majestic 6 found mid on which allowed U14 Bobby Green to bat at 8. He watched as Liam smote 40* (4x4, 3x6, 13b,15m) to help get to 298. Bobby then reversed Whitty delightfully for 2 to bring up the 300 from the last ball of the innings of 50 overs. Whitty ended with 4-95.

45 overs to take ten wickets for the win. Mustard & Carroll faced Wightman & Tindale. Carroll (15) had most of the strike but at 29 Rob Peyton brought of a stunning catch diving high to his right off Tindale. At 43 somewhat inexplicably Mustard (29)called for a single, Shaw did not respond & Cragg moving to his right at cover completed a length of the pitch run out at the striker's end.

Tindale then removed Hurst (5) lbw, & two overs later, Whitty (1), edging to Birtwisle at 2nd slip, 54-5 in the 21st. Sean 3-12 in 9 overs. Crozier had begun a spell from the Park end & had Wright lbw aiming an expansive drive. Borren's medium pace  was introduced in the 24th over & in his 3rd over, Robson was taken way down the legside by the flying Peyton, a superb catch. 71-6. This became 76-7 when Leonard (5) was bowled by Crozier aiming to leg, 76-7 in the 31st.

The obdurate Shaw, who took 32 balls to open his account, had begun to be slightly more positive & in company with Wood, who defended well & drove nicely when the opportunity arose, saw the score move on to 110 in the 42 over when the returning Wightman had Wood (14) caught by w/k Peyton, fending. 110-8, only three overs to go.

Tindale returned & his second delivery saw Shaw 24 ( 86b,110m) steer sharply in the direction of 4th slip where Bobby Green held a good catch, waist high without fuss. 114-9 with 16 balls to go. 4 dots & then Birty bowled a maiden. No 11 Tony Trotter, having driven for 4 in the previous Tindale over & defended stoutly, edged the 5th ball, a shorter delivery, towards third slip where Cragg diving forward caught the winning catch, tension released with congratulations all round !! Our supporters were equally euphoric. A league title for them too.

A record 16th win & points total of 471, 69 ahead of CLS, had been achieved. Finding a way to win has been a hallmark of the season. The third undefeated NEPL league campaign to match 2003 & 2014. A magnificent team effort where many have taken responsibility in key moments. No century scored by SN but none scored against. Birty 613r, Sean 479r, John 570r, Adam 657r Liam 323r but many crucial partnerships for the 7th,8th,9th &10th wickets: Jonny 43w, Lee 42w, Sean 38w, Michael 28w, Liam 16w. Rob 27c, 5st:  Adam 11c, Birty 9c, Liam 6c, Sean 6c John 5c. Jonny 3 run out assists, Adam 2. 5 opposing teams bowled out for under 100 between 28/7/18 & 27/8/18. Remarkable ! This last game featured U15 Calum Fletcher & U14 Bobby Green. They did not look out of place, a statement of future intent.

The evening celebrations began, Lee awarded humourous  prizes & forfeits, Rob won the races 2-1. All the teams were together to share warm feelings at the end of a successful season. Some lovely food was provided by Tim & Ruth Peyton. The karaoke session seemed to continue for some time !! 

The following day saw a 1st X1 trip to Hexham to play Consett in the T20 final of the Tyneside Charity Bowl. Would the long night have an effect ?! The next article will tell us.

Duncan.