YOUNG BULLS COMPETE BUT FALL TO TABLE TOPPING CHESTER-LE-STREET -  ANGUS SOUTHERN CENTURY IN VAIN

29th Aug 2023

Mon 28^th Aug 2023: NEPL Division 2: SNCC v Chester-le-Street (h) 50/50

Chester-le-Street 244-9 (50o) Josh Metcalfe 20, Charlie Purdon 70, Jack Harrison 75: Josephine Nkomo 3-53, Will Young 2-50, George McConnell 0-21, George Gray 1-30, Sadiq Khan 2-40, Jen McDowell 0-36, Will Alexander 0-13

SNCC 197-7 (50o) Angus Southern 108*, Charlie Wilson 12, Jan Ozmen 11, George McConnell 18, George Gray 19: Jack Harrison 1-39, Josh Wilson 0-22, Gabriel Hughes-Pinan 0-35, Alex Graham 2-22, Liam Colledge 1-27, Josh Metcalfe 3-33, Brett Eagle 0-13.

Chester-le-Street won by 43 runs- 24 points, SNCC 7.

On a sunny August Bank Holiday Monday, a youthful Bulls side, led by Ben Sidney-Wilmot, gave league debuts to Will Young, George McConnell & Jen McDowell against the table topping Cestrians. The heavy rain of Sunday, which caused the abandonment of the 2^nd X1 T20 finals day, left the outfield damp in parts but the ground fit to play. 

The visitors were invited to bat. The left handed Metcalfe & right handed Summers faced the seam of Josephine (Grove) & Will (Park) on debut. First ball from Josephine, Metcalfe mistimed a pull but the flight did not quite carry to George McC at square leg as he moved forward ! From the 4^th ball of the first over a mix up going for two led to Cranston (0) being run out as George Gray's throw was collected by Josephine at the bowler's end.

9-1 after 3 overs as Josephine bowled a maiden. Will Young suffered in his second over as Metcalfe took 4,2,4,4 but to his great credit he found a yorker 5^th ball to bowl the opener (20, 15b, 4x4) off stump, 23-2. Josephine trapped Wilson (0) lbw in the 5th, 30-3.

Purdon & Cook then ran very well, ones to fielders in the ring & always two to the outfield, exemplary batting, taking advantage of rather static fielding. 55-3 after 11 overs, George McConnell & George Gray took up the attack, Burdon, employing the scoop, reached 50 in the 17th & the score had advanced to 98-3 after 18 overs, as Sadiq's leg breaks began a spell from the Grove.

At 108 in the 23^rd Cook (17) pulled Sadiq to backward square leg where Will Alexander took a straightforward catch. Two balls later Purdon, 62* survived a very confident appeal for a catch to w/k Ben Sid off Sadiq, but in his next Colledge (1) did edge to Ben Sid off Sadiq, 114-5

In the first over after drinks Purdon (70, 74b,6x4), who had shown much positive intent, swung George Gray to deep square leg where George McConnell took a neat catch with aplomb, 114-6. As Sadiq (lb) & George Gray (ob) wheeled away, Harrison & Summers rebuilt. After his first two, George G bowled 10 controlled overs for 30 & a wicket.

Jen McDowell had a 3 over spell & Will Alexander one. When Will Young began his second spell in the 38^th the score was 167-6. In his 3^rd over Summers (18) drove in the air to mid on where Sadiq, retreating, took a good catch over his shoulder, 177-7, Harrison 37*. 

In the last 10 overs, the score rose by 60 as Harrison accelerated. Eagle (12) was nicely caught by George Gray at backward point off Josephine, now from the Park end, 202-8. In the 48^th a flying George G at mid on, just failed on cling on to a drive by Graham but from the 3^rd ball of the last over Harrison (75, 74b,7x4,1x6) was taken by George G off Josephine, 242-9.

Some good bits but the fielding seemed to have wilted a little under pressure, moving in with the bowler missing or lacking intent.

Angus Southern & Charlie Wilson faced  the experienced seam of Jack Harrison (Grove) & Josh Wilson's off spin (Park). 25-0 after 10 including two maidens & 45 dots. At 31 in the 13^th Charlie (12) mistimed a full toss towards square leg where Colledge made good ground &, diving forward, took the catch inches above the turf, 31-1.

15 year old Gabriel Hughes-Pinan, emulating father & older brother in terms of good control, then bowled 10 overs of off spin for 35 from the Park end & lm Graham 6 overs from the Grove. After 20 overs the score was 56-1, Angus 32* Jan 8* tough going against an accurate attack.

Jan (9) drove but edged Graham to w/k Cranston at 63 in the 23rd. Will Alexander (0) seemed unlucky to be given out caught behind when bat hit pad, 67-3 in the 25th. Colledge (rm) began a spell from the Grove & Angus reached 50 (2x4) in the 28^th with the score at 85-3.

George McConnell (18) took 4x2 through the off side off Gabriel H-P in the 30^th & cut Colledge nicely for 4 in the 31st but in the 34^th was bowled by Metcalfe seemingly in two minds. Sadiq's (4) attacking intent came unstuck as he lofted Metcalfe into the offside for Summers to take, retreating at cover, 122-5. Angus 63* drove Metcalfe straight for 4 & then Ben Sid (6) advanced to attack Metcalfe but was bowled,138-6.

Angus launched Eagle over mid wicket in the 41^st to reach 75* & he & George Gray then  put together a positive partnership of 49. Angus reached a deserved 100 in the 47^th & then in the 49^th George, who had used his feet to the spinners, (19) skied Harrison to cover where Wilson took the catch, 189-7. Josephine (3*) & Angus 108* (148b, 6x4) a testament to his concentration, cover driving the highlight, saw the close at 198-7. 

A good experience for a young side who remain in 3^rd place in Division 2 on 268 points with two games to go:

Sat 2^nd Sept SNCC v Sunderland (h)

Sat 9^th Sept SNCC v Hetton Lyons (a)

We hope you can join us to cheer them on.