8 WICKET WIN AT CHESTER LEAVES BULLS JUST 12 POINTS BEHIND LEADERS TYNEMOUTH

18th Aug 2022

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       NEPL Division 2, Sat 13th August 2022, SNCC V Chester-le-Street (a)

Chester-le-Street 192-8 (50o) Josh Metcalfe 29, Toby Bell 46, Jacob Hindmarsh 23*, Hedley Windows 17*: Allan Davidson 0-44, Gavin Paton 1-38, Sadiq Khan 3-22, James Ruddick 1-33, Ru Fletcher 3-32, Alex Charnley 0-19.

SNCC 193-2 (29.3o) Alex Charnley 61*, Nathan Gough 59, Parth Mannikar 32*: Hedley Windows 1-29, Ollie Barrett 0-34, Brett Eagle 0-28, Liam Colledge 1-23, Josh Metcalfe 0-27, Andrew Bell 0-16, Max Jackson 0-23, Liam Cook 0-6.

SNCC won by 8 wickets - 20 points, Chester-le-Street 3.

A comprehensive 8 wicket win leaves the Bulls just 12 points behind leaders Tynemouth with four games to go. 41 wides (CLS 27 wides) suggests that not getting used to tight wides, in subsequent 50/50 games will have a big impact.

On a very hot day at Ropery Lane, the Cestrians chose to bat, Summers & Metcalfe faced the seam of Davidson & Paton. At 20 Summers (4), having been dropped the previous ball, edged Gavin's quicker one to w/k Parth.

The left handed Metcalfe caused problems with bowlers straying down the leg side & conceding (many) wides. At 54 in the 12th, Metcalfe (29, 5x4) swung Sadiq to deep square leg where Angus took the catch. At 64 in the 15th Barrett (13) pushing forward edged Ruddick to w/k Parth, 64-3.

In the 20th over Sadiq took two in two balls as Colledge's (0) big drive spooned to point where Sam took the catch.  Next ball Cook (0) was lbw on the crease, 76-5. Father Andrew & son, left handed Toby Bell put together a partnership of 23 before Andrew (13) drove Ru to point where Sam took a good catch, diving to his left. Two balls later Eagle (0) was lbw to Ru playing back, 99-7 in the 26th.

Another useful partnership of 49 between U14's Toby Bell & Jacob Hindmarsh ended at 148 in the 38th when Bell 46 (86b, 5x4,1x6) drove but edged Ru to w/k Parth, a fine innings. Hedley Windows, also U14, joined Hindmarsh & the pair, both left handed, batted very sensibly to see out the 50 overs with an undefeated stand of 44, Hindmarsh 23*, Windows 17*.

192-8 on a very hot day, the first game back to the orange ball notwithstanding, no real excuse for 41 wides & 2 no balls & some undistinguished fielding & catching, especially in the last 20 overs. We are better than this.

Ruddick & Charnley faced Windows (rm) & Barrett (sla). At 14 in the 5th Ruddick (6), advancing, was bowled by Windows. Alex Charnley & Nathan Gough then put together a second wicket partnership of 105 in 12 overs. Nathan hitting 12x4, 3 in the 8th over off Barrett, two in the 9th off Windows, an exhilarating innings which featured trademark drives straight, over mid wicket & through extra cover. At 119 in the 18th Nathan was caught by Hindmarsh off Colledge for 59 (44b, 12x4), Alex 38* at that stage.

Parth entered & the pair advanced the score nicely. Alex batting with confidence & intent, advancing & rotating, struck 6x4 in his 61*, Parth 32* (5x4) boundaries through point, square leg & straight. The winning run came after 29.3 overs with a single to Alex, 193-2.

A convincing win but wides, catching & ground fielding to be better please. We are capable.

The Bulls retain third spot in NEPL Division 2, 12 points behind leaders Tynemouth with 4 games to go beginning with Ashington (h), Sat 20th August, then Benwell Hill (h) Sat 27th August, Sunderland (h) Sat 4th Sept concluding with Hetton Lyons (a) on 10th Sept.

But first on Sunday 14th August, the T20 finals day at Hetton Lyons where the Bulls face Newcastle in the second semi final at 1330. A lot to play for, we must be determined to improve, to be the best we can be.

Duncan.