BULLS VICTORIOUS AT SACRISTON AMID THE SUNSHINE & RAIN

18th Jun 2018

SACRISTON CCC 140-9 (58o) James Thompson 66*: Jonny Wightman 2-39, Sean Tindale 3-33, Lee Crozier 2-24, Michael Craigs 1-14, Simon Birtwisle 1-1.

SNCC 143-6 (41.5o) Simon Birtwisle 34, John Graham 21, Liam Trevaskis 39*, Sam Dale 16, Adam Cragg 13.

SN 23 points, Sacriston 2.

Making their second visit in 8 days to Premier Division newcomers Sacriston, SN won the toss &, with weather threatening to intervene at some point, chose to ask the home team to bat. 

Sean Tindale  struck with his first ball in the second over persuading Daniel Anderson to play on via bat & pad. In helpful bowling conditions, James Thompson & the busy Reece Carr(20) took the score steadily to 40 before the third lbw appeal in quick succession in Jonny Wightman's 8th over was met with affirmation. Two balls later Nathan Hall suffered a similar fate, 40-3 in the 15th.

Lee Crozier had started a 15 over spell from the Cemetery end in miserly fashion, beating the outside edge as only he can. Melvyn Betts (8) was watchful but at 60 swung to leg & was bowled. Graeme Bridge (0) was then held by a juggling Birty at slip in Michael Craigs's second over, before Crozier hit Lewis Straughair's off stump via the faintest edge, 62-5 in the 28th.

Graham Hubber joined the determined Thompson (25) & the pair put on 33 before Hubber(14), surviving a difficult chance in the deep, was caught by Peyton off the returning Sean Tindale from the  Pavilion end. Ian Jones was bowled by Tindale two runs later, 97-8 in the 45th. Captain Graeme Wrightson & Thompson (45) dug in again & the score moved to 133 before Wrightson was lbw in Simon Birtwisle's only over the 57th. The final total reached 140-9  by the end of the allotted 58 overs.

Consistent bowling & excellent fielding had restricted scoring opportunities. James Thompson's 192 minute, 156 ball vigil amassed 66*(6x4) important runs, almost half the total. Rain at the interval reduced the overs available to 44.

As the sun emerged openers Simon Birtwisle & Sam Dale faced evergreen Melvyn Betts & Graham Hubber. 40 off 8 overs was a positive start as Birty drove & pulled 6x4. At 49,  Birtwisle (34) was bowled by Betts driving & 7 runs later Dale (16) was adjudged lbw, also to Betts, 56-2 in the 15th .

John Graham & Liam Trevaskis batted sensibly rotating the strike & putting away the occasional loose delivery. At 93 Graham (21), surprisingly, failed to clear mid off in Hall's first over, Anderson taking the catch. Adam Cragg (13) drove powerfully through the covers & straight but, in attempting to sweep Bridge for another maximum, was caught on the deep square leg boundary by Straughair. Four runs later, Tindale seemed in two minds & lobbed inadvertently to Carr at mid wicket to give Hall a second victim, 116-5 in the 32nd. A wobble ?

Rob Peyton showed a sensible, straight bat to his first 15 balls before lofting Bridge for 4. Trevaskis launched Hall for 6 & the total had reached 139 when Peyton, advancing to try to finish the game, was stumped off Hall by Wrightson. With two to win & the field in, Michael Craigs despatched his third ball, a full toss, for 4 over mid wicket. A win by 4 wickets with 2.1 overs to spare.

Liam Trevaskis 39*(76 balls, 88 minutes, 3x4, 1x6), a steady & responsible display bringing the Bulls home.  7 points clear of Whitburn at the top of the Premier Division after 9/22. A long way to go.

Friday 22nd sees the 1st X1 in the NEPL T20 1/4 final, away to Sunderland followed by Sat 23rd NEPL Premier Division no 10 at Felling, both difficult games. Well worth a visit, your support would be much appreciated.

Duncan D. Stephen.