BULLS FALTER AGAINST LEADERS BURNMOOR.

27th Aug 2024

BULLS FALTER AGAINST LEADERS BURNMOOR.

                              NEPL Premier Division: Sat 17^th August 2024: 45/45o

                                                               SNCC v Burnmoor (h)       

SNCC 174-9 (45o) Simon Birtwisle 27, Sol Bell 15, Nik Gorantla 23, Chris Hewison 39, Oli McGee 33*, Jonny Wightman 12: Waqas Maqsood 1-36, Dan Brown 2-27, Graham Bridge 4-16, Craig Stephenson 1-9, Ryan Pringle 1-34.

Burnmoor 175-6 (35.2o) Ross Greenwell 38, Ryan Pringle 40, Josh Coughlin 40* Waqas Maqsood 14, Dan Brown 14*: Tom Rogers 1-41, Jonny Wightman 1-27, Sean Tindale 2-51, Oli McGee 1-22, Lee Crozier 1-23.

Burnmoor won by 4 wickets- 24 points, SNCC 4.

Winning a 13^th toss of the season the Bulls chose to bat perhaps hoping that a more consistent display would ensue. In the event although the top 4 got started, timing seemed problematic & although at 69 for 1 things looked promising, the innings slipped to 109-7 as the spinners took control, Graham Bridge's slow left arm taking 4 wickets for only 16 in his 9 overs on a responsive surface.

Going at 3's Birty & Sol got to 33 in the 10^th when Sol (15, 25b,1x4)) was bowled by second change seamer Brown. Nik & Birty continued to 69 when Simon (27, 59b, 3x4) chipped Bridge's first ball back to him. Two runs later Nik (23, 18b, 4x4) was bowled by Brown, 71-3 in the 18^th over.

At 87 in the 23^rd Sean (4) got into a tangle & edged Bridge to w/k Linsley off glove & pad. In the 28^th Adam (5) was adjudged lbw sweeping Stephenson, 96-5. In the 31^st Rob (3) slog swept Bridge cleanly but found Greenwell on the deep mid wicket boundary. 6 runs & 2 overs later Tom (2) flicked Bridge to mid wicket, 109-7, in a hole.

Oli & Chris rescued the innings to 132 in the 41^st over when Chris (39, 66b 2x4), another  innings of substance for his team, now attacking to raise the total, was bowled by Maqsood. Oli & Jonny continued but at 159 Jonny (12, 13b 2x4)) was caught by Brown off Pringle. Oli & Lee combined with a last wicket partnership of 15, Oli 33* (35b, 5x4), a positive, encouraging response in the situation & Lee 1* & the innings closed at 174-9 after 45 overs. One sensed this might not be enough.

In reply Greenwell & Brown faced Rogers & Wightman. At 10 Brown (4) was adjudged to have edged & fell to an excellent, diving, legside catch by Rob off Jonny. Worthy (0) was bowled by Rogers at 23. Greenwell steered to third man as is his wont & Pringle seemed might lucky not to be given out caught behind when only 4 off Tom. Tough to take when the batsman appears about to walk but stands, later admitting he hit it & the decision is not out ! 

Reprieved, & in typical belligerent fashion, the partnership between Pringle & Greenwell took the score to 88 when Pringle (49, 25b, 5x4 2x6) edged Oli to Birty at first slip. 96-4 when Greenwell (38, 54b, 6x4) was bowled by Sean. Poynter (4) succumbed to a second, athletic, diving legside catch by Rob off Sean at 107, 5 down.

Coughlin settled & he & Maqsood took the score to 139 when Maqsood (14) was lbw to Lee. Both Coughlin & Brown then played some nice shots & the pair put on an undefeated 36 for the 7^th wicket to see Burnmoor home in only the 36^th over; Coughlin 40* (51b 4x4 1x6) &  Brown 14* (33b 2x4).

Disappointing for Bulls supporters to witness a rather flat display in a big game peppered with seemingly tetchy responses to questionable umpiring decisions. We must move on. Bulls 5^th in the Premier Division on 220 points but only 42 points between 2nd & 8th.

Big weekend coming up:

Sat 24^th August NEPL Premier Division: SNCC v Tynemouth (a) 45/45 from 1200.

Mon 26^th August NEPL Banks Salver 100 finals day at Burnmoor: SNCC v Benwell Hill (2^nd Semi final from 1330)

We hope you can be there to cheer the team on.

Duncan.