BRAD REMEMBERED FOR THE 24TH TIME AT SUNNY ROSEWORTH TERRACE

18th Aug 2022

               Wed 10th August 2022, A South North X1 v A Northumberland X1

Northumberland X1 221-7 (45o) Danny Clark 43, Ben Sidney Wilmot 30, Phil Hall 15, Tristan Parnell 47, Alex Nice 30*, Will Alexander 20, Josephine Nkomo 15*: Angus Southern 0-26, George McConnell 0-22, Patrick Hatcher 1-7, Varun Gudipati 0-19, Jon Gill 0-25, Alex Charnley 3-41, Will Young 0-5, Jacob McCord 1-40, James Hutton 1-31.

South North X1 151 ao (37.1o) Angus Southern 42, Ryan Sidney-Wilmot 17, Patrick Hatcher 34, Jon Gill 28: Will Alexander 1-3, Josephine Nkomo 3-27, Alex Nice 1-11, Albie McPate 1-29, George Gray 3-30, Tristan Parnell 1-44.

Northumberland won by 70 runs.

A bright, sunny day at Roseworth Terrace welcomed the players for the 24th & penultimate JB Memorial match. A gathering of guests included Vincent Stienlet, Clive Goatman, Gordon Halliday, Peter Weatherall, Howard Sidney Wilmot, Roger Griffiths, Eric Hall, Peter Crane, Clive Page, Bill Peacock, Doug Hudson, Mike Yuill, Peter Shotton, & Peter Robson.

Apologies were received from Roddy Golightly, David Venn, Phil Tait, James Miller, Ken Waller, Chris Harker, Paul Scott, Cam Skinner, Richard Shotton, Jonny Boyes, John Douglas & Elaine Bradford.

A 45 over/side game saw 10 juniors in the 22, 5 in each team, encouraging them as John would have wished. Northumberland batted first & amassed 221-7. Paul Dutton & Phil Hall rolled back the years & important contributions came from Danny Clark (SNCC/Felling), Ben Sidney-Wilmot (SNCC), Tristan Parnell (Warkworth), Alex Nice (Backworth), & Will Alexander (SNCC).

Innovatively captained by Patrick Hatcher the SN attack was opened by the loopy, leg breaks of Angus Southern & the left arm of U15 George McConnell. In over 3 Patrick bowled Matt Nice (4) with one that might have kept a bit low. A stand of 71 between Danny & Ben ended after drinks in the 19th, when Ben (30) was run out by a direct hit from Varun at mid off. Danny (43), advancing to Alex Charnley's leg spin, was stumped by Ryan Sid in the next, 81-3.

64 -4 when Paul Dutton (8) was adjudged lbw to Charnley's spin & 124 for 5 when Phil Hall (15) exploring the spaces behind the wicket, was held at slip by Jon Gill off Alex. Some explosive hitting by Tristan (47, 3x4, 3x6) saw the score rise to 160 in the 36th before he was caught at long on by Alex C off Jacob. Alex Nice was joined by Will Alexander & the pair added 24 before Will was bowled by James Hutton for 20, an innngs which included two beautifully timed, extra cover drives.

Josephine (15*) & Alex Nice (30*) ran well to see the score up to 221-7 after 45 overs. Alex Charnley 3-41 off 9, the pick of the bowling, but good spells from George McC (0-22 including a dropped slip catch), Varun Gudipati (0-19 off 5) & Will Young (0-5 off 5). Jonny Gill rolled back the years from the Grove end, Jacob & James suffered as Tristan hit, Patrick straight & full (1-7 off 4).

A lovely cricket tea was taken by players & guests & a photograph taken. Angus Southern & Jacob McCord faced Will Alexander & Josephine. Jacob was bowled by Will in the first over, 3-1 but Will's back niggle prevented further bowling. Alex Nice took over from the Park end.

18-2 in the 8th as Tris (9) edged Josephine to w/k Ben Sid. 26-3 in the 10th as Josephine bowled James Hutton (4). At 48 after one sumptuous square cut for 4, George missed a sweep off George Gray & was bowled, 48-4. 53-5 when Alex (7) cut Albie to second gully where captain Matt Hall had just positioned himself. 

Drinks came & a partnership of 30 ensued between Ryan Sid & Angus until Ryan launched a big drive, high to long on off George Gray where Albie took the catch with aplomb, 83-6. Two overs later Angus 43 (82b,7x4) chipped George to Matt Hall at short mid wicket, another astute field placing, 89-7.

Patrick & Jon settled & the latter in particular stroked some nice shots off both Tristan's flighted off spin & off George. The score had reached 129 in the 34th when Jon (28, 5x4) hit Josephine high to long on where Albie took his second catch without fuss, bravo, catching matters!

Patrick (34, 6x4) accelerated but at 151 he was bowled by Tristan working to leg. At the same score, Varun (2) edged Alex's first ball of the 38th over to w/k Ben Sid, 151 all out. The match began at 1100 & concluded at 1708.

The BradMan salver was presented to winning captain Matt Hall. Most grateful thanks were given to umpires Phil Raine & Peter Young, who gave their services free, to Craig Thompson & Liam Dodgson for the ground & to Bill, Sarah & Jackie for the lovely tea & to all who played & spectated this penultimate celebration of John's life, taken from us at only 55 years in Dec 1998.

The player of the match was awarded to George Gray (3-30) for his controlled 9 overs, 2 maidens, of off spin. Many appreciative comments about the day, from both players & spectators, were penned in the book celebrating this fixture, a photograph will follow. Convivial conversation & reminiscence continued.

The 25th & last Brad game will be in early August 2023 at a date to be decided. We hope you may join us.

People matter, it is our duty to remember them.

Duncan.