It's been a long time coming but competitive NEPL cricket will be back at the Hill on Saturday 25th July, when the 1st XI kick off the season at home to Blaydon, 12 noon start.
The NEPL Management committee confirmed this week that the season will take the form of modified Banks 40 over tournaments for 1st and 2nd XI and a 35 over tournament for 3rd XI's. Clubs have been placed in regional groups of 7 or 8 teams, with fixtures running from the weekend of 25/26th July, through to the weekend of 18/19th September.
1st XIs will have a Banks Salver competition with 24 Clubs in geographic groups with 8 teams in each group and each team playing 7 group matches. Durham Cricket Academy will take the place of Shotley Bridge. Most group matches will be played on Saturdays starting on 25 July with the final Group matches being played on Bank Holiday Monday 31 August. Durham Cricket Academy will play their matches on Sundays starting 19 July against Sacriston and ending on 30 August. Rules related to DCA’s participation will be circulated later but DCA will not be able to qualify for the quarterfinal stage of the competition. Quarter finals comprising the 3 winners, 3 runners-up and best two third placed teams will be played 5/6 September, semi finals 12/13 September and the final will be played on 19/20 September. All teams not qualifying for the quarter finals will compete in a plate competition to be played over the same three weekends in September, the details of which will be advised later. Matches will be 40 overs each innings, starting at noon (DCA matches to start at 1pm) and played in coloured clothing with orange balls.
Banks Salver (DCA playing instead of Shotley Bridge)
North Group : Ashington, Benwell Hill, Blaydon, Felling, Gateshead Fell, Newcastle, South Northumberland and Tynemouth
East Group : Boldon, Burnmoor, Castle Eden, Eppleton, Hetton Lyons, Philadelphia, Sunderland and Whitburn
West Group : Burnopfield, Durham Cricket Academy, Chester-le-Street, Crook Town, Lanchester, Sacriston, Washington and Willington
2nd XIs will have a Banks Bowl competition with 22 Clubs in geographic groups with 8 teams in one group (each team playing 7 group matches) and 7 teams in two groups (each team playing 6 group matches). Blaydon and Shotley Bridge will not take part in the competition. Most group matches will be played on Saturdays starting on 25 July with the final Group matches being played on Bank Holiday Monday 31 August. Quarter finals comprising the 3 winners, 3 runners-up and best two third placed teams will be played 5/6 September, semi finals 12/13 September and the final will be played on 19/20 September. All teams not qualifying for the quarter finals will compete in a plate competition to be played over the same three weekends in September, the details of which will be advised later. Matches will be 40 overs each innings, starting at noon and played in white clothing with red balls.
Banks Bowl (Blaydon and Shotley Bridge not playing)
North Group : Ashington, Benwell Hill, Felling, Gateshead Fell, Newcastle, South Northumberland and Tynemouth
East Group : Boldon, Burnmoor, Castle Eden, Eppleton, Hetton Lyons, Philadelphia, Sunderland and Whitburn
West Group : Burnopfield, Chester-le-Street, Crook Town, Lanchester, Sacriston, Washington and Willington
3rd / Academy XIs will have a Banks Cup competition with 21 Clubs in geographic groups with 7 teams in each group and each team playing 6 group matches. South Shields will play in the competition. In addition to Shotley Bridge, Ashington, Burnopfield and Castle Eden will not take part. All group matches will be played on Sundays starting on 26 July with the final Group matches being played on Sunday 31 August. Quarter finals comprising the 3 winners, 3 runners-up and best two third placed teams will be played 5/6 September, semi finals 12/13 September and the final will be played on 19/20 September. All teams not qualifying for the quarter finals will compete in a plate competition to be played over the same three weekends in September, the details of which will be advised later. Matches will be 35 overs each innings, starting at 1.30pm and played in white clothing with red balls.
Banks Cup (Ashington, Burnopfield, Castle Eden and Shotley Bridge not playing. South Shields playing)
North Group : Benwell Hill, Blaydon, Felling, Gateshead Fell, Newcastle, South Northumberland and Tynemouth
East Group : Boldon, Eppleton, Hetton Lyons, Philadelphia, South Shields, Sunderland and Whitburn
West Group : Burnmoor, Chester-le-Street, Crook Town, Lanchester, Sacriston, Washington and Willington
At the meeting the LMC thoroughly debated various options for NEPL competitions. The decisions made (including competitions, start dates, length of matches etc) took into account a wide variety of unique circumstances that apply for the remainder of this season whether from the Covid-19 pandemic or other factors, including the following.
- continuing restrictions on travel and the desirability therefore of minimising the length of journeys to matches as far as practicable,
- ground preparation and availability,
- pressure on grounds that need to make provision not just for NEPL matches but also junior matches, women and girls matches, senior and junior practice, All Stars Cricket, festivals etc.,
- the additional time required during matches for hygiene breaks and possibly other factors associated with Covid-19,
- the need to travel to and from matches changed,
- the possibility of wet weather interruptions during matches and the resulting need for shelter,
- the reduced numbers of umpires able and willing to stand,
- the logistics of finalising competitions, fixtures, playing conditions, player registration, Play Cricket issues etc. and,
- the need to allow time for the League and Clubs to do all that will be required to plan for the safe resumption of NEPL cricket.
