BRAD REMEMBERED FOR THE 21ST TIME BY OLD & YOUNG ON A GLORIOUS DAY AT ROSEWORTH TERRACE

9th Aug 2019

As SNCC's U13 Girls were contesting national T20 Finals Day in the Lady Taverners Cup at Neston CC on the Wirral, thrillingly finishing runners up,  the 21st John Bradford Memorial match, kindly sponsored again by Roddy Golightly, was able to take place with only a slightly delayed start at 1115, thanks to the overnight covering & early morning preparation by Craig & Liam, on Wed 7th August. 

Paul Scott, Paul Dutton, Ben Jones-Lee, Nigel Wardropper, Elaine Bradford, Nick Gandy, Roger Griffiths, Alan Fletcher, Sid Rooke, David Venn, Dave Swan, John Douglas & others sent their apologies so that Alan & Winnie Crooks joined Peter Crane, Eric Hall,  Bill Peacock, Clive & Veronica Goatman, Peter Robson, Ken Waller, Vincent Stienlet & Jonny Boyes to reminisce about past times as a youthful SN X1 took on a more experienced Northumberland X1. Injuries, indispositions & absences ensured that followers of Cavaliers cricket would not have been surprised that each side contained 10 ! Umpires Bill Ryan & Phil Tait, resplendent in white panamas, were smilingly efficient.

Northumberland 224-3 dec ( Danny Clark 52r, Matt Whitty 54r, Matt Hall 51r, Ru Fletcher 30: Matthew Jennings 0-14, Jon Gill 0-57, Ben Hobbs 1-36, Patrick Hatcher 0-52, Alfie Clark 2-30, Dan Scott 0-6, Eashan Ragbir 0-20)

South Northumberland 179-8 ( Tris Meears-White 50r, Matthew Jennings 27*, Jon Gill 27: Jonnie Bell 1-37, Harry Clark 1-38, James Harper 1-19, Matt Whitty 1-13, Ru Fletcher 3-38, Phil Hall 1-24)

Northumberland X1 won by 45 runs.

An unfortunate back injury to James Miller meant a co SN captaincy for Tris Meears-White & Patrick Hatcher. Danny Clark, after a two year absence, opened with Ru Fletcher. They faced the seam of Jon Gill, all the way from Stratford, who had not bowled since this game last year, & Matty Jennings. 3 maidens in the first 10 overs saw a steady start. Danny had a life with the score at 33 lobbing a catch to mid off, from a  Jon delivery, which didn't stick. At 50, in U13 Ben Hobbs second over, Ru driving(30) played on. Bryan Arkle was watchful & Danny accumulated. Ben's first spell 5-1-18-1, bravo but beware front foot no balls!

Alfie Clark's off breaks broke the deadlock as Bryan (7) mistimed to backward point where Eashan Ragbir took the catch tumbling forward. In his next over Steve Harper (0), seeking an average having been not out 40+ in the last two games !!, miscued to deep square leg where Arif Alam took a neat catch. 90 -3 & then 109-3 at the break after 30 overs.

The sumptuous lunch was taken at 1300 by players & guests courtesy of Bill & Susan Kidd & Janice Ramsay. We are spoilt at every home game by their catering excellence. Following a photo by Ken Waller, play resumed at 1342. Danny retired at 52 & Matt Hall took his place. The Matts Whitty & Hall then proceeded to take the game away from the SN X1 by stroking the ball to all parts. Patrick Hatcher toiled manfully & Jon Gill rued his luck as chances went begging.

Matt Whitty retired at 54, (3x4, 5x6, 46b, 51m) & Matt Hall, trademark strokes through mid wicket evident, was joined by evergreen Phil Hall, the fittest older person around, who dabbed 13* before the declaration at 224 after Matt had reached 51. 

With 60 minutes to tea at 1600, Arif Alam & Eashan Ragbir faced the seam of Jonnie Bell & Harry Clark. At 36, after Eashan (18) had whipped two nice boundaries to square leg, he feathered James Harper's fifth ball to be caught behind by Steve Harper. Without addition Arif (16), also including two nicely struck boundaries, lobbed a catch back to the bowler from Matt Whitty's first ball.

Patrick Hatcher (18) & Tris Meears White took the score steadily to 81 before Patrick (18) was bowled by Phil Hall in over 26. (A time game but spectators are keen to know how many overs have gone !). Ru Fletcher' post lunch spell had reached over 5 when he bowled Ross Ward (8) & then had Dan Scott (0) caught behind after only two balls. 110 -5.

Tris started to motor, driving down the ground & retired at 50 (6x4, 71b, 80m) at 127-6.  Alfie Clark (3) then had the misfortune to be bowled by brother Harry at 135 &, one run later, Ben Hobbs (0) succumbed to a leg side stumping by Ross Ward off Ru. (Not untypical in a Cavaliers game that players should appear for both teams & then some disappear before the end !! Brad would have been amused.) 

There followed an enterprising 9th wicket stand of 43 between Matty Jennings (27*), who became more assertive as his innings developed (3x4), & Jon Gill (27) the latter stroking the ball off both front & back foot in great style (5x4) until, with 3.5 overs of the last 20 to go, he drove Jonnie Bell to cover where Ru took the catch without fuss. A win for Northumberland by 45 runs.

Roddy presented the Salver, thanked all the players, Bill & Phil the umpires, Bill, Susan & Janice, Craig & Liam, the guests & then presented the Man of the Match award to Matt Whitty for his sparkling 54*. We all thanked Roddy for his continued sponsorship of this iconic game. The autograph book was signed by many in generous appreciation of the day & their enjoyment of it. A true club day for all the generations.

We shall reconvene on Wednesday 5th Aug 2020 for JB 22. The exact format to be decided, but the smiles will be evident.