ACADEMY FINISH ON A HIGH WITH 7 WICKET WIN OVER THE FELL.

27th Aug 2024

               ACADEMY FINISH ON A HIGH WITH 7 WICKET WIN OVER THE FELL.

                                   NEPL Sunday First Division: 26^th August 2024.

                                                SNCC v Gateshead Fell (h) 40/40.

Gateshead Fell 220-6 (40o) Charlie Franklin 89, Pavan Kalyan 21, Matthew Carrick 37, Richard Smith 19*: Varun Gudipati 0-27, Ben Hobbs 1-30, Melissa Banks 1-27, Joe Dresser 0-28, George Gray 2-30, Jen McDermott 1-24, Archit Upadhye 1-31.

SNCC Academy 162-3 (29o) Aaryan Wagh 71, Jan Ozmen 32, George Gray 29, Joe Dresser 13*:  Angus McCloy 0-28, Oliver Clark 0-20, Richard Smith 0-35, Abishek Mathew 2-40, Matthew Carrick 0-11, Ravi Mutha 1-21.

(Rain delay 1709-1749, SN innings reduced to 29 overs, target 161.)

SNCC Academy won by 7 wickets - 22 points, Gateshead Fell 11.

On a cool day with a strong cross wind from the west, the Academy concluded their league programme with an entertaining victory over a strong Fell side who set a challenging 220-6 in their 40 overs. A rain delay reduced the match to 29 overs & in enterprising fashion the Bulls reached their target with 13 balls to spare.

The Fell chose to bat, Kalyan & Franklin faced Varun Gudipati & the returning Ben Hobbs. Kalyan has an interesting batting style all based on a good eye but at 38 in the 4^th over Ben, who had a sharp chance to a diving slip not taken, found the yorker he had been searching for & bowled Kalyan (21,11b, 5x4).

Left handed Carrick joined Franklin & the pair batted very nicely as Missy & Joe joined the attack. 64-1 after 10 overs became 110 at drinks after 21 overs; Franklin punching through cover off front & back foot & guiding to square leg in stylish fashion; Carrick driving pleasingly through the off side. A good lbw shout by Missy against Franklin turned down, a sharp chance to w/k Aaryan standing up off Joe not taken but some good fielding with Ben H, Ben S-W & Jen saving boundaries athletically.

George Gray & Joe bowled in tandem overs 16-23 & then Jen began a spell in the 25^th when a big appeal for a w/k catch was not upheld & a misjudgement of the flight saw a drop at cover off Carrick. In George's next a full pitch bowled Carrick (37,72b, 5x4) ending a splendid partnership of 96.

Charlie Gray (5) on the crease, was lbw to George Gray at 146 in the 28th. Franklin sailed on calmly then Angus (3) was bowled by Jen, full & straight, a wicket maiden in the 31st, 153-4. Archit Upadhye then bowled 5 overs of teasing leg breaks getting a reward as Mathew (6) charged & missed to be stumped at 178 in the 34th.

Missy returned & in her second, the 37th, full & straight, bowled Franklin (89, 101b,13x4) a classy innings, 188-6. Smith (19*) surviving a chance to long off & Mutha (12*) finished strongly to see the Fell to 220 after 40 overs. Some tight bowling when it mattered, some good fielding but also some missed chances which could have proved costly.

After delightful food provided by Bill, Aaryan Wagh & Jan Ozmen faced McCloy (rm) & Clark (ob). A steady start under cloud & stiff breeze but acceleration by Aaryan, driving straight & pulling to square leg saw the total to 48, with some good running, when the rain came. A reduced game of 29 overs with a target of 161 began again at 1749.  

Smith & Mathew bowled the next 10 overs. Jan then attacked, driving, pulling & glancing but at 32 (44b,3x4) he was yorked by Mathew, 91-1. The w/k's  "bye bye" seemed inappropriate! Aaryan used his feet well to drive & George was similarly positive, driving straight & through mid wicket. The total had reached 126 in the 21^st when Aaryan (71, 73b,11x4) was yorked leg stump by Mathew. A very positive innings somewhat surprisingly ended.

Jacob (8) was undone by a slower ball from Mutha at 146 but Joe Dresser (13*, 10b 2x4) stroked through & over mid wicket in the 27^th to see  the Bulls home with 13 balls to spare. George 29* (25b, 4x4) similarly busy, looking to score. A very positive end to the season which sees the Academy finish in 2nd place in Sunday First Division on 208 points, p14, w 6, l 3, 5 ab/can.

Congratulations to all who have played & performed admirably & to Ben Sid for captaining astutely & w/king very well standing up.

The combined SNCC Junior & Senior Presentation Evening is on Sat 21^st September in the Indoor Centre from 1800.  We hope to see you there to celebrate the 2024 season. 

Duncan.