1864'S COMPREHENSIVE DEFEAT OF CHAMPIONS ELECT RIDING MILL.

22nd Aug 2024

              1864'S COMPREHENSIVE DEFEAT OF CHAMPIONS ELECT RIDING MILL.

                              West Tyne League Division 1: Sat 17^th August 2024.

                                            SNCC 1864 v Riding Mill (a) 40/40.

Riding Mill 203-9 (40o) Jon Bennett 12, Michael Thompson 75, Nick Rodger 13, Mark Davison 37*: Gregor Pearce 3-12, George McConnell 0-13, Patrick Hatcher 1-24, David Cragg 0-31, Jacques Graham 2-27, Tom Oliver 0-37, Jacob McCord 2-22, Olly Alexander 1-25.

SNCC 1864 208-3 (30o) Jacob McCord 11, Jan Ozmen 78, Will Carr 14, George McConnell 85, Joe Dresser 3*: Rory Young 0-32, Mark Davison 1-21, Andy Watson 0-9, Liam James 1-55, Devon Gurr 0-23, Jon Bennett 0-22, Alex Smith 1-33.

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

Champions elect Riding Mill won the toss & chose to bat. Kent & Bennett faced the spin of Gregor Pearce & left arm seam of George McConnell. Gregor bowled 8 overs, 4 maidens & took 3 wickets for 12 in an outstanding spell of slow bowling on a responsive surface. At 27 in the 7^th Kent (8) succumbed, bowled off stump by a leg break. At 36 in over 11 Bennett (12) did not read the googly & was also bowled off stump. At 41 Smith's (5) leading edge found Patrick at short extra.

As ever Thompson counterattacked but it was James (7) who drove Jacques hard back to  the bowler at 61 in the 17^th for him to take a very good catch, 4 down. Rodger & Thompson pushed on until at 100 in the 23^rd over Rodger (13) drove Jacques to cover where Jan took the catch.

Both David Cragg & Tom Oliver had wicketless spells but in the 26^th Gurr (6) skied & bowler Jacob took the catch, 113-6. A handy partnership of 51 between Thompson & Davison ensued as variations of length were punished until at 164 in the 32^nd over, the returning Patrick, full & straight, bowled Thompson (75, 63b, 8x4 4x6). Davison & Watson faced McCord & Olly Alexander.  In the 37^th Olly produced a lovely leg cutter to bowl captain Watson (7), a first senior wicket to be applauded. 

Jacob bowled Young (1) in the 38^th & the innings closed at 203 after 40 overs, 9 down, Davison 37* (31b, 4x4, 1x6). Eight bowlers used, the catching was good & the fielding tidy.

In reply McCord & Ozmen faced the seam of Young (lm) & Davison (rm). Good going but at 36 in the 6^th Jacob (11) lost his off stump attempting to leave Davison. Will Carr (14, 26b,3x4) again batted nicely but at 63 in the 14th, the ball after his 3^rd boundary, was bowled by James.

There followed a most dynamic partnership between Jan & George of 132 in only 16 overs. A spectator called it 'brutal' for George hit 85 from 44 balls with 7x4 & 7x6, in a controlled way, many to mid wicket, to square leg or straight whilst Jan was the perfect senior foil, accumulating  78* facing 97 balls, striking 13x4, hitting the bad ball & rotating well. A very effective, right/left combination of talents.

This innings of George's has been waiting to happen. Now he has turned nice 30-40's into a substantial, match defining innings, we hope he will have the confidence, patience & self belief to repeat it.

This win secures the 1864's in 3^rd place in WTL Division 1 on 198 points with just one game to go v Haydon Bridge (h) on Sat 25th August 1330 40/40. We hope you can be there to cheer them on.

Duncan.