Despite the horrendous weather in July, our junior teams managed a few games, read on to get the monthly report from each of the team managers.
Under 15s – Barry Pearson
Since the last report, the horrendous ‘summer’ weather has made sure only two under 15 games have been played. After the home game with South North Blue team was abandoned without a bowl being bowled, the final League game take place on 17h July at home to Stocksfield. Despite missing several regulars, we scored 118 in 20 overs with Ed Moody top scoring with 40, but a distinctly below par performance with the ball and in the field helped Stocksfield to a deserved two wicket win with an over to spare. The exception was Warren Poxon who took 5 for 16 in three overs, including a hatrick. This defeat meant we would finish third in the League this year behind South North and Ashington which could have been better but for two poor performances, but there were lots of positives to take from the League season.
Friendlies against Newcastle City and Tynemouth were cancelled due to the weather before last night 7th August we finally managed a home game against Newcastle. We restricted our visitors to 84 for 5 in 20 overs and knocked the runs off in the 13th over without loss thanks to Rory Mustard with an unbeaten 47 and Ayush Chakraborty who again impressed with 29 not out.
Under 13s – Jim Robinson
Like all teams, rain washed out a lot of July with only 2 fixtures played.
The first was a comfortable victory at home against Newcastle. Bowling first we restricted Newcastle to 86/5 of their 20 overs. Pick of the bowlers was Nicholas Walder with 1 Wicket and only 1 run of his 2 overs. There were 2 also wickets each for Gabe Mellor and Thomas Hewison. We successfully chased the runs down in 13 overs. Another 30 retired for Gabe and a significant 26 not out for Ibrahim Ahmed.
3 Matches were lost to rain.
Next up was another nail biter against Benwell and Wallbottle. A good bowling performance left B&W 97/8 after 20 overs. Sai Patel with excellent figures of 2 overs, 3 wickets for only 6 runs. It was looking good in the run chase with 32 retired not out for Gabe Mellor and a very useful 18 from Liam Hynd. Unfortunately, wickets then fell at a rate and we fell just short in the run chase finishing on 95 for 7.
Under 11’s – James Walder
The u11s only managed to get one match in during a very wet July. We headed to Benwell and Walbottle with Amelia and Matthew both making their u11 debuts.
Benwell batted first and were on the back foot from the first pair with Oliver picking up 2 wickets and a good run out from Thomas. Some good bowling and fielding meant Benwell struggled to get going and ended on a net score of 206. Matthew picked up a wicked on debut, Emily got her first wicket of the season with Hector getting three wickets in his 2 over spell.
All pairs batted well with Amelia scoring 4 in her first u11 innings and Oliver and Thomas F putting on 32 for the final pair. We ended on a net score on 291.
The team have a semi final in the U11 Shield against Whitburn and a quarter final in the Barry Hicks Cup to try and fit in during August so plenty still to play for.
