1864'S WIN WEST TYNE LEAGUE DIVISION 1 PLAY OFFS.

16th Sep 2024

1864'S WIN WEST TYNE LEAGUE DIVISION 1 PLAY OFFS.

Defeat of Wylam follows defeats of Riding Mill & Haydon Bridge to end 2024 on a high.

West Tyne League Division 1 play offs: SNCC v Wylam (h) Sat 14^th Sept 2024. 40/40

SNCC 1864 155-7 (40o) Aaryan Wagh 22, Jan Ozmen 30, Jacques Graham 26, Varun Gudipati 14, Melissa Banks 25*, Will Young 11*: J White 0-8, T Barnett 1-42, M Wells 2-36, R Opie 3-40, J Greenwood 0-20.

Wylam 139-8 (40o) N Wells 32, D Rewcastle 15, R Opie 15, C Japes 37: Varun Gudipati 1-26, Melissa Banks 2-25, David Cragg 1-26, Patrick Hatcher 0-16, Will Young 4-22, Jacques Graham 0-15.

SNCC 1864 won by 16 runs.

In the final game of 2024, the WTL Division 1 play offs, undefeated Wylam faced undefeated 1864's. The visitors chose to field, Wagh & Ozmen faced the brisk leg breaks of White & seam of Barnett. Three maidens in the first 5 overs as bowlers bowled good lines on a slow wicket. Only 10 runs in 7 overs but then Aaryan, using his feet well, hit 4 & 6 to mid wicket off Barnett.

At 31 in the 12^th Aaryan (22, 31b, 2x4, 1x6) was bowled by M Wells. 4 balls later Ben Hobbs (0) aiming to leg, got a leading edge which skied & was caught, two down. Three more maidens followed but Jan & Jacques were resolute & the total mounted steadily to 49 after 20 overs.

Jan hit sla Opie for 4 then 6 & Jacques also swung Opie for a maximum in over 25, but at 71 in the 27^th Jan (30,81b,3x4 1x6) was caught off Opie. A vital, bedrock innings from Jan on a slow wicket. Two overs later, 12 having already been taken off an Opie over, Jacques (26, 45b,3x4,1x6) advanced but attempting another big shot, was stumped, 90-4.

In the 31^st over Varun (14,14b, 2x4) got one that stopped a bit & lifted a catch to wide third slip off Opie, 97-5. Patrick & Jen pushed on against Greenwood & Barnett until Jen (6) defending was bowled by Barnett, 111-6. In the 36^th Patrick (8) followed at the same score just failing to get back for a two he called & being adjudged run out.

Missy & Will then combined very well to produce a par score. Missy taking 16 off Barnett in the 37^th to mid wicket & square leg. Will clipping to leg twice for 4 in the last over to leave the 1864's 155-7. Missy 25* (21b, 1x4, 2x6), Will 11* (11b, 2x4) a vital partnership of 44 for the 8^th wicket.

In reply N Wells & J Greenwood faced the right arm seam of Varun & Missy. 18 off 4 overs but in the 5^th Greenwood (8) hit a short ball hard towards mid off where Will, moving to his left, took a very good, low catch, 20-1.

Between overs 6 & 18 only 35 runs were scored as Varun, Missy, David & Patrick restricted the rate with accurate bowling on a slow wicket which had occasional bounce.  Rewcastle (15) succumbed in Will's first, the 19^th, pushing to cover where Patrick took the catch. The obdurate N Wells (32, 67b, 1x4), who had been content to nudge singles, now went for a bigger shot against David's slow left arm & the ball flew to deep point where Jan pouched a good, low catch, 61-3.

In his next over Will found a yorker to bowl Palmer (0) 63-4. One over later he bowled Lamb (4) with one that nipped back & persuaded Wilson (6) to edge a wider one  that w/k Aaryan held neatly 73-6. Will 6 overs 4-22, an excellent return. He had a plan & executed it well.

But Wylam battled via Opie & Japes & a stand of 59 was looking dangerous with 25 needed from the final 3 overs & both well set. But those three overs would be bowled by Missy & Patrick & from afar one had confidence that the 1864's would prevail.

And so it was that Missy bowled Japes (37,54b, 4x4 1x6) with a full ball that might have crept a little in the 38^th conceding only two. Patrick conceded only 1 in the penultimate over & it was left to Missy to bowl Opie (15, 47b) in the last over giving the 1864's a win by 16 runs.

Determined batting, consistent bowling, good catching & fielding saw the 64's defeat three of the top 4 teams in this play off & in the season proper, a predominantly young side only lost 4 in finishing third in Division 1.

Grateful thanks to Patrick, & in his absence Jan, for selecting from 32 players & leading the team & to all those who made themselves available, sometimes at very short notice & then played with enthusiasm & no little skill, demonstrating their development as cricketers. Onward to 2025 when the league arrangements have yet to be determined.

We hope to see you at the SNCC end of season Presentation Evening on Sat 21^st  Sept in the Indoor Centre from 1800. Confirmation to Sarah please as soon as possible, with numbers.

Duncan.