20TH JOHN BRADFORD MEMORIAL SEES SIX HALF CENTURIES & A BOWLING MARATHON FROM PAUL SCOTT

9th Aug 2018

In perfect conditions under blue skies, the 20th John Bradford Memorial match welcomed players & lunch guests of the vintage as a South North X1 took on a Northumberland X1 in this annual celebration of JB, who died in Dec 1998 aged 55. This is a time game with a declaration, 20 overs from 1700, lunch at 1300, tea at 1600, traditional !

NORTHUMBERLAND X1: 228-8 dec : Ru Fletcher 59 (r), Paul Dutton 50 (r), Matty Hall 50 (r), Ben Sidney-Wilmot 37: Paul Scott 2-46, Sree Kanakala 1-44, Parth Mannikar 1-2, Tom Hodnett 0-20, James Miller 0-26, Jonny Gill 0-53, Rachel Foreman 0-11, Ben Jones-Lee 0-12.

SOUTH NORTHUMBERLAND X1 : 230-5 : Tris Meears-White 50 (r), Parth Mannikar 50 (r), James Miller 50 (r), Steve Harper 40*: Matthew Jennings 1-14, Atul Ramesh 0-22, John Douglas 0-29, Phil Hall 0-45, Dave Swan 1-44, James Hutton 0-12, Ru Fletcher 0-54.

After coffee at 1030, umpires Bob Simpson & Bill Ryan took the field as Northumberland batted. James Hutton & Ben Sid faced Paul Scott, all the way from Germany, & Tom Hodnett. Jabba's innings ended with the second ball of Scotty's second over, bowled. There followed a partnership of 83 between Ben & Ru Fletcher who were watchful & then more expansive before Ben, advancing to Scott, was stumped by w/k Parth for 37.

Ru struck 5 x 4 in his 59* before retiring to allow Bryan Arkle to bat at 4. Bryan (7) struck one nice boundary before James Miller took a good low catch at midwicket off Kanakala, 112-4. Ross Ward became a run out victim, backing up a little too far at the bowler's end, as Bobby Green made a direct hit from mid wicket, 116 for 5. The lunch score was 135-5. Paul Scott (55) had bowled unchanged from the Grove end. 16 overs of medium pace before switching to his long run for the final 2. A magnificently controlled  spell, with a high arm, 18-5-46-2, a first ever career stumping off his bowling, all bringing back memories of the 80's when he charged in from the same end as a 1st X1 & County opening bowler.

Lunch was sumptuous & very grateful thanks go to Bill Kidd, Janice Ramsay & helpers. We are spoilt every home game & this was no exception as guests enjoyed wine with their meal courtesy of sponsor Roddy Golightly.

Paul Dutton & captain Matt Hall survived an examination by Tom Hodnett bowling with pace & good direction, before both increased the tempo against Sree Kanakala's leg spin, Jonny Gill's medium pace & Rachel Foreman's seam. Matt 50 (5x4, 3x6) retired at 208 & Paul, also 50, (6x4, 1x6), at 218. Parth's off spin persuaded Phil Hall to play on for 2 & the innings was declared after 51 overs at 228-8.

Bobby Green & Tris Meears-White opened for South North against the seam of Atul Ramesh & Matty Jennings. Bobby struck one nice on drive before steering a catch to second slip well held by Bryan Arkle for 5. Tris & Parth then batted nicely as the attack switched to the spin of evergreen John Douglas (78), still playing for Morpeth 2nd X1, Phil Hall & Dave Swan (73). Tea was taken at 1600, David Venn, sartorial in straw hat & shorts, took over umpiring duties from Bill Ryan & 20 minutes later Parth retired at 50 (7x4), Tris, also 50, retired 5runs later, (8x4) at 110-3.

Steve Harper 40* (5x4, 2x6) & James Miller 51 (r) (7x4, 3x6) then took the game away from Northumberland as Ru Fletcher had the misfortune to bowl an unintended, high no ball to James which he despatched to mid wicket for 4. The next 5 balls went for 28, the whole over for 33, 4nb, 6, 4, 4, 4, 6, 4.... emphatic & sobering!! James retired (51*) at 180 after the first of the last 20 overs from 1700.

Rachel Foreman struck two nice boundaries before advancing & missing to be stumped off the persevering Swan's leg breaks for 10. Ben Jones-Lee (12*) joined Steve Harper & the pair saw South North home with 11 .4 overs remaining.

Sponsor Roddy Golightly, who had thanked everyone for their contribution to the day at lunchtime, presented the Bradman Trophy Salver to winning Captain James Miller &, in a game of 6 half centuries, the Man of the Match award to Paul Scott for his marathon & effective pre lunch bowling spell. Only 6 boundaries in his 18 overs.

Players & remaining guests retired to the bar to be refreshed courtesy of Roddy. We were delighted to welcome Vincent Stienlet, Alan & Winnie Crooks, Peter Weatherall, Barry Colledge, Bill Peacock, Clive Page, Eric Hall, Clive & Veronica Goatman, Alex Johnson, Joe Peyton, Peter Robson & Ken Waller; during the day, Chris Hewison & Jonny Boyes & at tea, Roger Griffiths. If others were there please forgive the omission. It is difficult to see you all from the scorebox!!

Apologies were received from Elaine Bradford, Peter Crane, Nigel Campbell, Mike Anderson, Chris Harker, Gordon Halliday, Alan Fletcher, Nick Gandy, Jenny McDowell, Dave Thompson, Nigel Wardropper & Phil Tait.

As ever, the wicket played well & the ground looked a picture. Sincere thanks were offered to Craig Thompson & Liam Dodgson.

That this was again perceived as a lovely club day was confirmed by the many comments in the autograph book. It seems we should do some more so we hope to reconvene on Wed 7th August 2019 for number 21. If you wish to be available to play, please contact me, 6 already have !! Umpire Bob Simpson, who has completed 19 of the 20 JB matches, announced his retirement after the game. We have been indebted to Bob for his outstanding commitment to this fixture & hope he will attend as our guest in 2019.

Special thanks to Roddy for continuing to sponsor & to all those who make a concerted effort to be present at & to take part in this iconic South North day. You are all wonderful !

Duncan.