1864'S BOUNCE BACK FROM CUP SEMI FINAL LOSS TO GO 4TH IN  WTL DIV 1 AFTER WIN AT RIDING MILL

9th Jul 2023

             Sat 8^th July 2023: WTL Div1: SNCC 1864 v Riding Mill (a)

Riding Mill 175-8 (40o) Andy Watson 52, Kiel Zurawlew 36, A Smith 32* Devon Gurr 22: Josephine Nkomo 2-31, Alan Roskilly 1-30, Patrick Hatcher 1-33, Gregor Pearce 1-24, Nick Tomlinson 3-34, Belinda Wewalage 0-8.

SNCC 1864 179-4 (36.2o) Jacob McCord 14, Belinda Wewalage 34, Nick Tomlinson 32, Jan Ozmen 40, Ben Sidney-Wilmot 38*, Guy Johnson 6*: 

Ali Raza 0-34, Tim Willis 0-13, Alan Fletcher 3-33, Andy Watson 0-22, Jon Bennett 0-29, Kiel Zurawlew 1-29, Mark Davison 0-11.

SNCC 1864 won by 6 wickets - 19 points, Riding Mill 7.

Rain on the A69 & forecast for more later at Riding Mill; the wicket was hard, the outfield fast but damp, so the 64's won the toss & chose to field. Alan Fletcher & Andy Watson faced the right arm seam of Josephine Nkomo & Alan Roskilly.

A strong start by the home team; 34 in the 6^th when Fletcher (2) aiming to leave, edged behind to w/k Ben Sid off Josephine. A good stand of 61 between Watson & Zurawlew ended at 95 when Zurawlew (36, 60b, 5x4) was bowled by a Gregor wrong 'un.

The introduction of Nick Tomlinson's off breaks around the wicket prompted another as at 103 Watson (52, 68b,5x4,1x6) pushing forward was stumped smartly by Ben Sid as the ball moved across the batsman. One run later Bennett (5) went back, but his forcing shot lobbed beyond Nick who retreated to take a good catch over his head, one handed, 104-4.

This became 110 -5 when Kent (3) hit high to cover for Patrick to retreat & take the catch over his head. Encouraging singles & stopping boundaries saw a productive stand between Smith & Gurr as both were positive, until at 158 Gurr (22, 21b,1x4,1x6), forcing off the back foot, edged Josephine to Ben Sid who took another neat catch,

Davison (5) followed at 163 lobbing in the air off Alan for Ben Sid to take another good catch, his third. One run later Raza (0) was lbw to Patrick, full & straight as ever, 164-8. Smith 32* (45b, 2x4) remained undefeated as he & Willis saw the close of 40 overs at 175, gettable.

 Jacob & Belinda faced Raza & Willis & put together a partnership of 50 for the first wicket, Belinda being particularly positive. At that point Jacob (14) advanced to Fletcher, missed the big drive & was stumped.

After c10 overs a drizzle began but to the umpires credit they chose to continue.

At 61 Belinda (34, 31b, 6x4,1x6) attacking, edged Fletcher to w/k Greenwood, 2 down. Nick & Jan batted well, hitting the bad ball, defending sensibly & running well. At 114 Nick (32, 39b, 5x4) hit hard to deep mid on where Watson took a good catch off Fletcher.

Ben Sid joined Jan & both were positive, until at 142, Jan (40, 62b, 5x4) hit a full toss hard to backward square leg where Raza took a good low catch. Ben Sid (38* 38b, 6x4) & Guy (6*) ran well to see the 64's home after 2 balls of the 37th over. 

A good win sees the 1864's in 4^th place in Division 1 albeit having played one game more. Onward to Sat 15^th July when the 1864's entertain Benwell Hill (h) 1330, 40/40, we hope you can be there.

Duncan.