VICTORIOUS START FOR 1ST & 2ND X1'S AMID THE SUNSHINE

25th Apr 2018

VICTORIOUS START FOR 1ST & 2ND X1'S AMID THE SUNSHINE

Stockton 164ao 45.4 overs (Harding 51: Wightman 2-20, Tindale 2-60, Crozier 2-22, Trevaskis 2-35)

SNCC  165-6 43.4 overs (John Graham 79, Adam Cragg 32: Harrison 2-39) SN 24 points Stockton 3.

http://sncc.play-cricket.com/website/results/3328055

The delayed NEPL season began in bright sunshine at Roseworth Terrace on Sat 21st April as SN entertained Stockton. Craig Thompson had worked wonders to produce a firm surface with well timed shots zipping over the lush outfield.

Losing the toss, Stockton began steadily against Jonny Wightman & debutant Sean Tindale from the Park end & seemed a touch unfortunate to lose Tom Hewison to a caught behind decision off Wightman, 21-1 in the 7th over.

Hooker & Ward batted nicely until at 48 Hooker(25) was lbw to Wightman & Ward (10) suffered the same fate sweeping Crozier. The quick loss of Joe Hewison, bowled by Crozier & Gill run out, sharp work by Jonny Wightman at square leg, left the innings in disarray at 57-5 in the 16th. But Robert Peregrine & George Harding rebuilt effectively adding 71 for the sixth wicket before John Graham, at short mid wicket, palmed a Peregrine drive 'over the bar', recovered swiftly & beat the retreating batsman at the striker's end, 128-6 in the 34th.

Harding continued to bat sensibly & had hit 6x4 & 1x6 in an excellent 51 before being bowled by the persevering Sean Tindale, now at the Grove end. Harrison joined Raza &  after a delightful pick up 6 was lbw to Tindale for 7. Liam Trevaskis's slow left arm then accounted for Burgum lbw & Raza caught by Adam Cragg at short extra. The innings closed at 164 after 45.4 overs, two wickets each for Wightman, Tindale, Crozier & Trevaskis, two run outs & a good spell from a third debutant Richard Stanyon, completed a workmanlike performance with some excellent ground fielding.

In reply, Rob Peyton played round a straight one from Harrison 3-1, & Simon Birtwisle was caught on the crease lbw to Raza for 7 , 29-2 in the 6th over. Liam Trevaskis, at 4, did the hard work as John Graham prospered, but at 48 in the 13th over, lost his off stump to Harrison's away drift for 6.

Captain Adam Cragg joined Graham & although lucky to survive a chance to deep square leg early on, the experienced duo built a match winning partnership of 95, rotating the strike & picking the right ball to attack until Cragg (32 1x4, 1x6 from 76 balls) hooked Ewart to Harrison on the long leg boundary, 140-4 in the 38th. In the next over John Graham's 2hours 20 minutes of application & no little skill, ended lbw sweeping Gill for 79, (9x4, 1x6, 127 balls). On a slowish but true surface, a magnificent effort. The standard is set.

Three overs later Tindale (4) inadvertently chipped to short extra off the deserving Harding (1-46 in 15). Sam Dale's two lofted boundaries in Gill's 7th over, in company with Andrew Doig, saw the Bulls home by 4 wickets in the 44th. 24 points for the Bulls. Stockton 4 but lost one to a slow over rate.

Benwell Hill away next Sat 28th April, may the sun shine.

2's open with convincing victory at the Fell.

SNCC 220-5 dec 50 overs (Alex Weetman 100, James Ruddick 48, John Harbottle 33)

Gateshead Fell 131 ao (Richard Brook 3-17, Matt Whitty 3-35, Allan Davidson 2-25) SN 30/GF 3points

http://sncc.play-cricket.com/website/results/3335749

A convincing, opening day victory for the 2's who, having been asked to bat, declared after 50 overs at 220-5. This was largely thanks to Alex Weetman's excellent, debut 100 (11x4,3x6, 110 balls), who, after a watchful start, despatched anything short with relish, in a partnership of 109 with James Ruddick (48), driving powerfully, for the 4th wicket from 94 -3.

Three wickets each for the slow left arm of Richard Brook & Matt Whitty, two for Allan Davidson all at regular intervals after a second wicket partnership of 49 between Devenport & Dicks, 50-2. One wicket each for James Ruddick & Owen Hollins, 5 catches & 3 lbw's completed the win. But sadly a broken finger for John Harbottle whilst fielding at cover.

Benwell Hill at home next. May the sun shine please !

Duncan D Stephen.