You've heard the news, seen the photos, now get the full low down on how we ended up with 2 more pieces of silverware (to add to the 2 cups already secured).
NEPL Division 1 - 1st XI v Sacriston (h) - Won by 123 runs - Match Report by Phil Haves
Promoted as Champions….. That was the outcome after victory over Sacriston on Saturday.
On a tense final day of the season with all possibilities in play and uncertain weather around the North East Belly lost the toss and it was no surprise that we were asked to bat first following the umpires having decided we could start on time.
Early nerves in the dressing room were allayed however as Belly and Rory provided us with a solid start and yet another opening half century partnership when the skipper was dismissed for 29 with the score on 55. Adam followed 2 balls later caught at slip but Rory, who had not been at his fluent best early on, and Pete steadied the ship adding 70 before Pete was dismissed for 23.
With a couple of rain breaks reducing the game to 40 overs per side, TK(2), Fletch (6) and Rory for another fine innings of 80 came and went in search of quick runs. This however brought Max and Sam together and what followed was some extraordinary hitting by Sam who cleared the ropes 5 times, including hitting a bus on the West Road, in a 17 ball 44. When Max was dismissed for 14 the visitors had achieved their aim of reaching safety by gaining a 3rd bowling bonus point.Our innings eventually closed on 204/8 in the allotted 40 overs.
In reply the visitors innings never really got going as Callum claimed an early wicket and Max took 2 to finish agonisingly short of 50 League wickets finishing the leading wicket taker in both Divisions with 49. Well ahead in DLS our only issue appeared to be the weather and with 20 overs required to constitute a game a further rain delay again had the nerves jangling however when play resumed Lee completed his 8 overs spell to finish with 5/24. The magic moment arrived as Adam took the catch off TK that gave us a 123 run victory and promotion which not long afterwards turned to Champions as Newcastle City fell to defeat at Hexham and the celebrations, which continued well into the night, began. Congratulations also to Sacriston who secured another season in the NEPL.
The team under the leadership group of Belly, Max and Nicko have achieved their goal set at the start of the season to return to the top flight at the first time of asking and it is testament to the determination, skill and togetherness of all those players who have represented the side in 2025 - congratulations to all and here’s to 2026.
1st XI NEPL Scorecard v Sacriston (h)
NEPL Division 1 Final League Table
NEPL Division 2 -2nd v Castle Eden (a) - Match Abandoned
Saturday's first innings was quite literally the calm before the storm for the 2nd's weekend ahead, we had been skittled out for only 96 inside in the 27th over, when the Castle Eden heavens opened and the pitch quickly flooded leading to a fortunate result, which meant we finished 6th in the final league table. Only Naveed Safi (24), Jayam Patel (16), Abud Siddqiue (14), Aaron Armstrong (14) and Liam Hynd (10) hitting double figures.
2nd XI NEPL Scorecard v Castle Eden (a)
NEPL Division 2 Final League Table
NTCL Division 5 West - 3rd v Wylam (h) - Lost by 9 wickets
A tough fixture to end a tough first season in the NTCL ended in heavy defeat as the visitors secured their promotion, and cemented our relegation to Division 6 next season.
With the threat of rain ever present all afternoon, the visitors won the toss and decided to field, and it proved a good decision as we were on early trouble losing both openers cheaply, despite some usueful middle order runs from Hassan Ahmed (23) and Sukhveer Bhinder (25), we were dismissed for 89 inside 30 overs. The visitors then made short shrift of our total as they chased it down in 18th over for the loss of 1 wicket (taken by Gabriel Mellor).
Overall a tough tough season, but the experience gained by some of the young players this season in the NTCL will be invaluable in the years ahead, with the guidance of a few senior players next season we will hopefully see the results to get us out of Division 6 at the first time of asking.
NTCL Divison 5 West scorecard v Wylam (h)
NTCL DIvision 5 West Final League Table
Sunday 14 September
Roseworth Trophy Final - 2nd XI v Felling (h) - Won by 2 wickets - Match Report by Pete Jones
On Sunday the 2nd's made the second attempt at completing the Final of the Roseworth Trophy. The previous Sunday they had been in a strong position when a downpour ended the game early in the second innings. This time round the forecast was equally dismal so it was agreed to play 15 overs a side. Skipper Jones won the toss for The Hill and decided to bowl on a damp one. The Hill bowlers kept a hold of the run rate but Felling kept wickets in hand. Honours were fairly even as everyone went at about 6 runs per over and the wickets were shared around. After 15 overs Felling were 90-5 and The Hill felt well placed at half time.
In the second innings things swiftly went awry as Robson was bowled for 2 in the 2nd over. In the 3rd over we were struck to major blows as our number 3 and 4 batters, Dawson and Poxon, both fell foul of umpire Fanta's fast finger. The calamaties kept coming and Jayam was the only one of the top 8 to reach double figures before he slipped, skidded and dived, only to be run out for 10.
After Ayush went six and out in the 9th over, The Hill were floundering on 38-7. This brought skipper Jones to the middle to join Hynd Jnr with us requiring 52 from 39 balls. 7 runs and six balls later Hynd was out and the equation was 45 from 33 with two wickets in hand. Fortunately for skipper Jones, Felling hadn't done their research. If they had the stats they would have seen that Jones averages about 5 to any type of bowling apart from loopy leggies. That lack of knowledge was compounded by a dropped catch, a no ball for having 6 on the leg side and a no ball for only having three fielders in the ring. The 11th and 13th overs went for 18 and 16 respectively leaving us needing 4 from the last 12 balls. Taylor Matthews scampered well between the wickets to walk off 11* alongside skipper Jones who finished 27* from 16 balls. A very pleasing end to the season for a young and inexperienced second team.
2nd XI Roseworth Trophy Final scorecard v Felling (h)
