After weeks of poor weather, league cricket returned on the weekend of 12-13 August, and it was double delight for the 1s and 2s over Newcastle with a couple of welcome wins to ease relegation fears. On Sunday Freddie McGregor scored an excellent century in a comfortable NEPL 3rd XI win over Tynemouth
1st XI v Newcastle (away) - Phil Haves match report
After a late start due to light drizzle Pete eventually won a toss & asked our hosts to have a bat. In spite of the late start no overs in the game were lost.
Our usual opening pair Vasi & Callum opened the bowling, with Callum unlucky in his first over as Max was not able to hold onto a very difficult diving chance at backward point. Although we didn’t make a breakthrough Newcastle were kept in check due to disciplined bowling & good fielding. We suffered a big blow as Donners had to leave the field with a bad finger injury in making a stop at extra cover & following a visit to the RVI would play no further part in the game.The opening partnership had reached 63 when Callum made the breakthrough dismissing Robinson & then in quick succession home captain Green. With Abu, on debut, & Max into the attack a caught & bowled for Max got us the prize wicket of Du Toit. Darwood & MacIntosh added 57 before Abu got his maiden first team wicket trapping Darwood LBW. MacIntosh struck the ball sweetly & reached 64 before Max had an LBW shout go in his favour. Former Hill all rounder Mukhtar, Travaskis & Glendinning batted well to get the hosts 244 in their 50 overs. 2 wickets for Callum, Max & Dan with 1 for Abu.
With Donners unable to bat a reshuffle of the batting order saw Haydon open up along with Adam. The home seamers produced an indifferent opening spell including a number of wides & Haydon especially took full advantage whilst Adam went about his business quietly accumulating runs at a steady rate. The opening partnership reached a hundred in the 19th over. Haydon passed 50 & the partnership reached 134 when Haydon pulled a long hop to deep square leg on 60. Adam was next to go falling just short of a well deserved half century on 49 with the total on 159. Gus & Dan played useful cameos of 28 & 16 respectively as we reached 201/5. Will with a quicker a than run a ball 32 & Pete 15 saw us home without further loss for a much needed win.
A much better all round performance eased the pressure somewhat & hopefully we can carry this forward for the remainder of the season.
1st XI NEPL scorecard v Newcastle (away)
2nd XI v Newcastle (home) - Pete Jones match report
The second XI took on Newcastle on Saturday at Denton Bank as the format returned to 50 over win lose cricket. In the absence of regular captain Hynd, stand in skipper Jones took the reins. He promptly lost the toss and The Hill were inserted on a pitch that had proved challenging on the previous Thursday. Things were progressing steadily at 66-1 when set batsmen Tidmash and Aatif were both dismissed within 5 balls. After both Nadella and McGregor fell cheaply 66-1 had become 69-5 and things were looking a little precarious. Hopes were revived by a 96 run stand between the diminutive Diip and a reluctant Dawson. A combination of fatigue and two 1st ballers in the two previous days had dented Dawson's confidence but some masterful man management from Jones saw that the right man was out in the middle. With wickets in hand for the final 10 overs, and a punchy 25 from 18 by Poxon, The Hill were able to accelerate and post a competitive total of 232-9.
Newcastle's reply began steadily and although not quite keeping up with the rate, they were never out of the game. The main man in the Newcastle chase was former Hill 2ndXI stalwart Joe "peggy" Janderson. The fielding side were fully aware that with Janderson at the crease Newcastle stood a good chance of winning the game. It was only natural then, that when Janderson was humbled by Torre ripping through his defences, Torre let the raw emotion show in his send off celebration. Some strong hitting from Walker threatened to keep the game interesting, but under the ever calm and composed stewardship of Jones, The Hill were able to close out the game. Newcastle were bowled out in the final over with 11 runs required. The stand out performer of the game had to be Diip who scored 44 in a vital partnership then took 3 wickets, 2 run outs and a catch in the second innings.
2nd XI NEPL scorecard v Newcastle (home)
West Tyne 3rd XI v Newton - game conceded by Newton
NEPL 3rd XI v Tynemouth (home)
The NEPL 3's returned to winning ways with an excellent 82 run victpry over Tynemouth at Denton Bank. The Hill posted 244 for 3 in their 40 overs, 16 year old Freddie McGregor scoring an excellent century as he finished exactly 100 not out, Darshana Tharanga also scored 76 not out, with 22 each for junior all rounders Warren Poxon and Abu Siddique.
Tynemouth were nver up with the rate in their reply and finished on 162 for 7 in 40 overs. There was 2 wickets each for Chris Pounder, Harry Reeves and Ayush Chakraborty.
