EXCITING FINISH ENDS IN A TIE FOR BATTLING BULLS

30th May 2023

      Sat 27^th May 2023: NEPL Division 2: SNCC v Tynemouth (h): 105o

Tynemouth 232-5 dec (51o) Chris Fairley 119*, Josh Koen 21, Barry Stewart 74: Allan Davidson 3-39, Gavin Paton 0-43, Sadiq Khan 0-29, Ben Hobbs 0-64, George Gray 1-57.

SNCC 232-9 (54o) Nick Tomlinson 57, Alex Charnley 48, Alex Weetman 49, Sadiq Khan 40: James Carr 0-45, Daniel Watt 0-22, Neil Bennett 1-52, Shamsur Oraikhil 2-29, Barry Stewart 2-35, Josh Koen 3-45.

 A tie - SNCC 14 points, Tynemouth 16 points.

So close, but the Bulls had to settle for a tie in an exciting finish against 2022 champions Tynemouth at Roseworth Crescent. Chasing an imposing 232, based on Chris Fairley's 119* & Barry Stewart's 74, the Bulls opening partnership of 87 in 21 overs between Nick & Alex C, set up the innings.  The rate was maintained throughout with important contributions from Alex W & Sadiq. 209-4 in the 49th, 212-6 after the 51st, the equation was 21 from three overs to win; then 13 off 2, 11 runs then a wicket, 2 from 9 balls, then 2 off the last over, a generous lbw, 2 off 4, but only a single before a run out from the last ball of the 54^th over meant a tie !!! Breathless !

Winning the toss, &, after SN under par batting performances in recent weeks, Tynemouth were asked to bat. Fairley & Patrick Hallam faced the seam of Davidson & Paton. Good opening spells from both, passing the edge regularly only 8 from 5 overs, 41 off 10 & then Hallam was unluckily lbw to Davidson, 41-1 in the 13th, 50-1 at drinks after 17.

Koen had joined Fairley, Sadiq began an excellent spell of leg breaks, 12 overs for only 29, in company with Ben Hobbs, 64-1 after 20 overs. Fairley's 50 came in over 24, 92-2 after 26 overs, but in over 27, Koen (21) advanced to George Gray's second delivery & was stumped by Ben Sid.

Stewart & Fairley continued, the wicket was flat & the outfield quick, 155-2 after 40 overs. Stewart had two lives both off George, skied chances going to ground. Acceleration saw 200 in the 46^th , Paton & Davidson returned & in the 47^th Fairley reached a very good 100, (142b, 8x4). The 3^rd wicket partnership had reached 137 when, at 223 in the 50th, Stewart (74, 70b, 8x4,1x6) was run out at the non-striker's end as Alex W showed his footballing skills with a direct hit.

In the 51^st Swaddle-Scott (1) & Carr (0) attacking, were both bowled by Allan & the declaration came at that point, 232-5, Chris Fairley finishing 119* (159b, 166m, 8x4), an excellent captain's knock.

The left-handed Nick Tomlinson & Alex Charnley faced the seam of Carr & Watt. 41 off 9 with 3 boundaries to Nick & 2x4 + 1x6 to Alex. Bennett replaced Watt, Carr continued, but 60 from 15 & going well.

At 86 in the 21^st Alex C (48, 59b,7x4,1x6), a positive innings with clean hitting on the legside, was bowled by Oraikhil. Will Alexander (5) hit 1x4 but was then bowled by a good one from Bennett, 97-2 in the 24th. Going at 4's the score rose to 122 in the 31^st when Nick (57, 101b, 7x4) seemed unlucky to be adjudged lbw to the spin of Oraikhil.

Ru & Alex W pushed on but at 137 in the 35^th Ru (16) was yorked by Stewart, 4 down. Facing Stewart & Koen & after over 45 Carr, Alex & Sadiq fashioned a positive 5^th wicket partnership of 72, drives through the covers & selective attacking, 209-4 after 49 overs but in the 50^th Alex (49,52b,6x4) lifted into the legside & was caught at mid wicket by Carr off Koen. Two balls later Ben Sid (0) was lbw, 212-6 after 51 overs, 3 overs to go, 21 to win.

8 from the 52^nd as Sadiq scored 3 & Gavin hit 5, so 220-6 with two to go. Then Sadiq took 11 from the first 5 balls of the 53^rd over, (1,4, dot,6, 231 at that point), but in going for the winning runs, holed a thick edge to Watt behind square on the offside, 231-7, Sadiq (40, 52b, 3x4, 1x6). A last ball dot meant 2 to win off 6 balls.

Gavin (8, 12b) seemed mightily unlucky to be adjudged lbw to the second delivery of the last over leaving Allan & Ben to score 2 off 4 to win. Dot, dot, single to Allan to tie, but a last ball run out as Ben tried to take the single meant the scores remained tied!!

Dramatic but although disappointing not to get the win after being in such a good position, a much improved batting display augurs well; composure under pressure, the taking of chances, fewer wides/no balls, 8 to Tynemouth's 4, on this day, made a difference.

A chance to redeem next Sat 3^rd June v Felling (a) 105 overs: 1200 start, hope you can be there to support.

Duncan.