No doubt there will be a few aching muscles this morning as cricket made a welcome return to the Hill on a fresh Wednesday evening (26 April).
Local rivals Benwell and Walbottle provided the opposition for the 1st XI in the preliminary round of the Tyneside Charity Bowl. A healthy crowd, with a good 'away' following of familiar faces witnessed the game, which was the first competitive match between the two clubs (who's rivalry goes back over 100 years) for a number of years (currently checking with Flakey on how long exactly!!).
It was a tight affair with the Hill eventually prevailing in the penultimate over of the 16 over game, chasing down Benwell's 111 , for the loss of 2 wickets. Kyle Coetzer top scoring with 59 not out, his opening partner Prahalad Nadella was next best with 29. There was a Hill debut for opening bowler Evasio Macmillan who took 2 wickets, There was also a 1st XI debut for 15 year old Warren Poxon. Both are definitely names to watch in 2023.
The scorecard is available on Play Cricket here https://benwellhill.play-cricket.com/website/results/5711495