2'S UNDONE BY THE EXPERIENCE OF DEVENPORT & SMITH

2nd May 2024

           SNCC v Gateshead Fell (h) Sat 27^th April 2024. NEPL Division 2.

SNCC 200-9 (45o) Ru Fletcher 35, Alex Charnley 20, Nathan Gough 42, Alex Weetman 22, George Gray 26*: Tom Lugsden 1-44, Richard Smith 1-15, Charlie Franklin 2-37, Lahiru Wijesinghe 1-28, Matthew Carrick 1-34, Ravi Muthe 2-12.

Gateshead Fell 201-6 (43.5o) Steven Meek 23, Richard Smith 56*, John Devenport 53, Charlie Franklin 31: Allan  Davidson 2-19, Gavin Paton 2-41, James Lunn 0-44, Ben Hobbs 0-36, George Gray 1-32, Nathan Gough 1-24, Alex Weetman 0-4.

Gateshead Fell won by 4 wickets - 24 points, SNCC 6.

On a cold day the visitors invited SN to bat. Ru Fletcher & Alex Charnley faced the seam of Tom Lugsden (Grove) & Luke Angus (Park). The pitch had some pace & bounce. An enterprising opening stand of 61 ended when Alex (20,37b 3x4) rather heaved to mid on. Ru (35,42b,5x4) followed 6 runs later, edging Franklin to w/k Devenport in over 15.

At 85 in the 18^th Angus Southern (9) seemed unlucky to be given out caught behind when his bat brushed the wicket. Bizarrely the umpires consulted before the decision was confirmed. 

There followed a significant partnership of 64 between Nathan Gough & Alex Weetman. 110-3 at half way drinks, but then the introduction of  Wijesinghe's leg spin & the slow left am of Carrick slowed the scoring rate. At 149 in the 34^th Nathan (42, 52b,4x4,1x6) was beaten by a faster one from Wijesinghe, who bowled his 9 overs for 28.

2 runs later Alex (22,50b,2x4) skied a sweep off Carrick to be caught by w/k Devenport, 151-5 after 35 overs. Lunny (9) defending, was bowled by Muthe & one run later left handed w/k Craig Manchester (0), on debut, seemed to mishit a slower one to mid on, also off Muthe, 169 -7.

This became 184-8 as Gavin Paton (5) was caught by w/k Devenport off the returning Lugsden. George Gray was batting nicely & he struck boundaries to cover & a delightful pick to square leg.

The penultimate over saw Ben Hobbs (1) run out returning for a second which left Allan Davidson to provide the flourish with a six over cover, ending 10* with George 26* (34b, 2x4), a splendid knock. However, 200-9 seemed to be only a par score.

The Fell were 37-3 after 6 overs, 6x4 1x6 ! Clark (0) caught neatly at first slip by Ru from Allan Davidson's second ball of the innings. L Meek (8) drove to mid off where Lunny retreating, held a good catch over his shoulder as he tumbled, also off Allan, who then had the misfortune to sustain a hamstring injury during his 4^th over, completed by Alex Weetman. Steven Meek (23) attacked but in attempting another pull, skied Gavin Paton & w/k Craig Manchester took the catch. Three consecutive maidens from Gavin slowed the rate.

George entered the attack in over 14 & in his second, Muthe (11) drove high to mid on where Angus Southern took a good catch over his head, 59 -4. This brought the experienced Devenport & Smith together & steadily they built a match defining partnership of 81.

Changes of bowling notwithstanding, pressure releasing singles seemed to be readily available, 96-4 at half way drinks & 129 in the 30^th over when a direct hit by Angus Southern from mid on seemed to find Devenport a yard short but the appeal was turned down.

An over later, karma, Devenport (53,57b,5x4,1x6) was bowled by the returning Gavin now at the Grove end, 140-5. Franklin & Smith  (31*) combined & although Franklin survived a chance to long leg off Nathan Gough the score had risen to 180 after 40 overs, Franklin 19*, Smith 46*.

Although Franklin (30, 50b 3x4) survived a w/k catch chance in the 43^rd off Lunny one over later, attacking, he was caught by w/k Craig off Nathan. A leg bye then saw the Fell home, Smith 56* (91b, 6x4).

In summary, perhaps 20 runs light, not enough dot balls, no real pressure built up,13 wides & a little unlucky, left a feeling of what might have been.

Onward to next Sat 4^th May, SNCC v Ashington (a) ; we must continue to improve & hope to see you there.

Duncan.