BULLS NARROWLY DEFEATED BY BARNARD CASTLE IN VITALITY T20 AREA SEMI FINAL.

2nd Aug 2021

Roseworth Terrace hosted the National Vitality T20 Area finals day on Sunday 1st August but, not perhaps at their best, South North were defeated in the first semi-final by Barnard Castle with only one ball remaining. Close!

SNCC 132-5 (20o) Simon Birtwisle 13, Michael Richardson 22, Chris Hewison 36, Adam Cragg 20, Sol Bell18*: Josh Bousfield 1-26, Tom Merryweather 1-9, Karl Carver 1-37, Robert Dixon 2-17.

Barnard Castle 133-6 (19.5o) Samarth Seth 52, James Clarkson 21, Karl Carver 25*: Simon Birtwisle 1-22, Jonny Wightman 1-31, Calum Fletcher 0-36, Lee Crozier 0-13, Oli McGee 2-13.

Barnard Castle won by 4 wickets.

Being asked to bat by the visitors the Bulls lost Rob Peyton(4) at 6 & Birty at 35 in the 7th. A workmanlike partnership of 50 from 43 balls between Richo & Hewi was ended when MJR was caught & 2 overs later Chris was also caught, at backward point, for an enterprising 36.

Barnard Castle's fielding was consistently good throughout saving many runs such that in the last 6 overs, Adam Cragg & Sol Bell, although putting on 33 for the 5th wicket & running very well, & Sean Tindale's closing boundary, there was a feeling that the total might have been 20 more.

Birty, from the Grove end, struck first ball, bowling Bousfield. This became 10-2 after 2 overs as Quinn slashed Wightman to point where Sol took the catch. Enter left-handed Samarth Seth who, in partnership with James Clarkson, put on 74, being particularly severe on Cal Fletcher, before Clarkson was bowled by McGee.

2 overs later Seth's magnificent innings, 56 (6x4 2x6 34b), was ended as he charged McGee to be stumped. 91-4 in the 16th. 32 needed from 4 overs. Carver kept a cool head striking 2 boundaries in the 18th over. Sean Tindale returned to take two in two at the end of the 19th over, 123-6. A ramp for 4 from the first ball of the last over, bowled by Jonny Wightman, was followed by 2's & a single such that another driven single off the 5th ball gave the visitors the win.

Disappointing to be so close. Must aim to bounce back at Ormskirk in the 40 over national quarter final next Sunday, 8th Aug ! The bus leaves the Central Park gates at 0745. Booking via Michael Richardson.

Barnard Castle then went on to win the final against York.  Barney batted first & Seth again took the batting honours with 59. Chasing 137, York imploded from a commanding 82-2 in the 12th to 106 all out in the 19th, as Karl Carver (sla) took a hat trick & an outstanding, diving catch at mid-wicket. It was his day !

The last team to defeat SNCC at this stage of the competition in 2018 were Hanging Heaton, who went on to win it! We offer best wishes to Barnard Castle in the 1/4 final & beyond.

It was a splendid day. The weather stayed fine, the catering was excellent, the bar did a good trade, the raffle was successful & our guests from Barnard Castle, Undercliffe & York expressed their satisfaction.

Duncan.