BULLS PUT IN SOLID TEAM PERFORMANCE TO SEE OFF DETERMINED ACADEMY

24th Jul 2018

DCA 197ao (53.2o) Harry Adair 82, Adam Ahmed 43, Daniel Cooke 20: Michael Craigs 4-36, Lee Crozier 2-28, Jonathan Wightman 1-37, Sean Tindale 1-41.

SNCC 201-7 (45.2o) Simon Birtwisle 40, John Graham 44, Adam Cragg 55, Liam Trevaskis 20, Michael Craigs 14*: Matthew Oswell 3-32, Faizan Hussain 4-37.

The visitors were invited to bat & at 40 -4 in the 16th looked to be in trouble. Seabrook driving was neatly  c & b Wightman for 5, Bell caught by Craigs at midwicket off Tindale for 11, Mackintosh lbw to Crozier for 6 & the stubborn Greenwell lbw to Craigs for 16.

Harry Adair then played a handsome innings, first in company with Daniel Cooke (20), perhaps an unlucky lbw victim of Crozier, 83-5 in the 25th, & then with the left handed Adam Ahmed. Using his feet well, Adair lost no opportunity to score, driving through the offside or straight & maintaining a momentum that was only broken in the 52nd over as he tried to accelerate, being bowled by Craigs for 82 (7x4, 2x6, 93b 112 mins), hitting to leg, an outstanding innings. 188-6.

Two runs later & in the same over, his partner Ahmed was the victim of a superb leg side stumping by Rob Peyton standing up to Michael Craigs for 43, 190-7. The last three wickets tumbled for 7 in 15 balls as two run outs & a sharp, final c & b by Michael Craigs finished the innings at 197 in the 54th.

56 overs to bat, openers Simon Birtwisle & Liam Trevaskis started strongly. 8 off the first to Birty, 16 off the second  to Liam, 50  without loss in the 8th when Trevaskis (20) played on from Matthew Oswell's second ball. Another wicket maiden followed as Sam Dale was lbw to Oswell without addition.

John Graham was watchful as Oswell moved the ball away from the right handers & Faizan Hussain started an excellent spell of slow left arm spin from the Grove end, with good control & a well set field which restricted scoring opportunities. At 76 in the 19th, Birty (40) driving, was caught at slip by Greenwell off the deserving Hussain.

There followed an excellent left right partnership as Adam Cragg joined Graham & the pair took the score, initially carefully, Hussain's first spell 9 overs 1-26, & then with more assurance against the returning Gibson, Williamson & Oswell  & the slow left arm of Ahmed, Cragg reversing effectively & cutting decisively such that the total had reached 163 in the 34th when, after hooking both Gibson & Oswell for 6 over long leg , two overs later Cragg pulled to mid wicket to be caught on the boundary by Williamson for 55 (8x4, 2x6, 51b, 61 mins). There could have been more!!

The reintroduction of Hussain saw Graham feather to second slip for a most valuable 44 ( 6x4, 94b, 112 mins), Tindale (5) fall in the same fashion, pushing at Hussain &, after two nice boundaries, a watchful Peyton (11) succumbed by miss timing to mid wicket. 186-7 in the 43rd. Hussain finished with 15-7-37-4, an outstanding spell.

James Ruddick, having survived a chance to slip, was joined by Michael Craigs & it was left to Mikey to calm the nerves with three well struck boundaries in the 44th & 46th overs to seal the 3 wicket win. Despite being pleased with the win & to remain undefeated league leaders, those watching were concerned that batting discipline should not be lost at key parts of an innings. 

26 points & a lead of 37 over CLS with 8 to go.

A busy week ahead. 

The midweek Roseworth Bulls hope to maintain their top spot in Division 4 when they travel to EAGA Old Boys at Seaton Burn on Wednesday 25th July.

The England v South Africa U19 ODI takes place at Roseworth Terrace on Thursday 26th July. Entry is free & the practice day is Wednesday at the ground. A prestigious fixture for the club to add to the U19 ODI England against Australia game in 2015.

Friday 27th July sees the annual MCC v SNCC game, also at home. Generously sponsored by Roddy Golightly this gives an opportunity for younger players to show their credentials.  An 1130 start, usually a 100 over game with a declaration.

Saturday 28th July we welcome Whitburn to Roseworth Terrace in an important NEPL Premier Division league match, start 1230 & on Sunday 29th July the 1st X1 squad travel to Hanging Heaton CC, near Batley for the Area Final of the Vitality T20 national competition  to play Barnard Castle in the second semi final at 1330.

Spaces on the bus for supporters will be limited to c 12, 6 have already been taken. Please contact Gillian Usher or DDS to book a seat. The bus leaves at 0900 from the Park gates. 

Exciting times, we must continue to put our collective best foot forward. Come along, it is entertaining if occasionally fraught !

Duncan D. Stephen.