What a Sunday for Jayem Patel, who scored his first century for the Hill with a massive knock of 160 not out for the NEPL 3rd's at Jesmond, he also still had the energy left to take 3 wickets in an excellent win, this followed the NTCL 3rd's and the 2nd's excellent wins on Saturday against RIding Mill and Gateshead Fell respectively, unfortunately the 1st's lost the reverse fixture against the Fell, where the weather had a huge hand in how the game unfolder, read on for all the news.
NEPL Sunday Division 1 - 3rd XI v Newcastle (a) - Won by 51 runs - Matty Hynd's Captains Report
Sunday was a day to remember for the Patel family. Firstly Harsh and Jayam batted together for the first time and secondly Jayam scored his first century. Harsh picked up from the day before and hit a fluent 25 before one stopped on him and he was caught at cover for 25, in an opening partnership of 59 with his brother. Michael came in and added 51 before he too was out for 14 and Jayam passed 50. Liam joined Jayam and they added 95 before Liam was bowled for 16 and Jayam had flown to 134 taking 19 off one over including 3 x 6s. Tom came in and got 14 and Jayam kept going and passed 150 before the close of play we managed 257/4 and Jayam was a wonderful 160 not out from just 115 balls.
Newcastle reply was halted early by 2 quick wickets as Gabriel bowled both openers. Newcastle rebuilt but the total always looked too much to chase and under 15 bowlers were rotated and all bowled well. Mellor 3-41, Sai Patel 1-50, Fletcher-Woods 1-38 all picking up wickets. It was Jayam again who was the pick of the bowlers taking 3-21 with some off spin. Newcastle finished 206/9 with Naveed Safi scoring his maiden 100 off the last ball off the match.
3rd XI NEPL Scorecard v Newcastle (a)
NEPL Division 1 - 1st XI v Gateshead Fell (h) - Lost by 9 wickets - Match Report by Phil Haves
A rain affected game coupled with less than adequate bowling and fielding saw us slip to defeat against the Fell on Saturday. After both captains had agreed to a 12:45 start unfortunately Belly for once lost the toss on a day when the weather was always likely to play a major part in the game and we were asked to bat first.
Following the early loss of the skipper to a contentious decision Rory and Adam both continued their good recent form adding 81 for the 2nd wicket before Rory was run out for 56. Adam and Pete then saw us through to lunch without any further mishap as we reached 121/2 off 31 by the break.
The forecast rain duly arrived during lunch and after a lengthy delay the reduction in overs meant we only had a further 7 to bat. Adam reached his half century before he was run out for 51 and despite some defensive bowling and men on the boundary some lusty hitting and good running by Pete and the Pro ensured we finished on a competitive 179/3 with Pete 46 not out and TK 18 not out.
The visitors were left 32 overs to bat and some wayward bowling, a number of missed chances and poor ground fielding never allowed us to gain any measure of control as the Fell chased down their target with an over to spare thanks mainly due to an unbeaten century by opener Oli Clark (son of ex Hill player Peter Clark).
A visit to bottom side Philadelphia awaits us next Saturday when hopefully the weather will not play a significant part and our performance in the field will improve.
1st XI NEPL Scorecard v Gateshead Fell (h)
NEPL Division 2 - 2nd XI v Whitburn (h) - Won by 3 wickets - Match Report by Warren Poxon
The sun beat down with a vengeance, turning the air thick and heavy as another scorching summer day began (not for long). Starting of the morning, benwell hill won the toss and elected to bowl first, opening up with Abu and Jake. Abu got off to a good start, bowling there opening batter out, dispatching him on a duck. On the other end wss Jake which couldnt quite find his line and length which bad balls got punished. With no hope from Jake, poxon came on, also not finding his line and length which was played through the cover gap by an experienced batter. Michael then came on, bowling tight lines, managing to narrow the run rate and get the other opener out, nicking off. Ayush couldn’t quite hold onto the ball, as left hander maxwell hit it back to him, which was dropped the ball before leading in a broken finger from kaushal. Jonesy with his spin then came on managing to turn it past the bat getting 4 wickets left there number 11 in bat which Aaron soon dispatched by a quicker ball. (Abu, 2 / jonesy, 4 / Aaron 1 / Michael, 3)
Chasing 175 of 49 overs, ayush and max lead the team that looked like quite a promising start until ayush missed one which was out lbw. Poxon then coming in at 3, respecting the good balls but also punishing the bad ones. Max then got lbw on 32 bringing in abu who then nicked off to first slip by archie. Archie, bowling tight lines then nicked of jake, getting his 3rd wicket. Archie then bowled Michael through the gate, getting his forth. Promising, Andy plays strong shots straight and over extra cover by the seamer on the other end, creeping the run rate back up. Poxon on the other end, respecting Archie’s good balls, whilst also driving the full ones hitting gaps. Poxon then seen off Archie, which lead to them having to bring on there youngster, opening bowler which andy hit well on the off side for some boundaries, getting his 50. Needing 5 runs to win, Poxon trying to hit a 6, gets bowled trying to get his 50. The winning runs were then scored by Aaron armstrong, punching one over mid off then flicking one over mid wicket. (Andy, 57 not out / warren, 44/ max, 32/ ayush, 17)
2nd XI NEPL Scorecard v Gateshead Fell (a)
NTCL Divison 5 West - 3rd XI v Riding Mill (a) - Won by 7 runs
The Thirds travelled the short distance up the A69 to visit Riding Mill on what was looking like a day for rain.
Losing the toss and after losing Aayan early Gabriel Mellor and Harsh Patel dug in to see off opener Ben Sherrard-Smith who was the best of the openers. By the time the one and only shower cam the hill were 60/1 and after a half hour break went about setting a total in what would be a game reduced to 35 overs per side. Gabe would be run out shortly after the break for 22 however a 57 run partnership between Harsh Patel (51) and Taylor Matthews (43 not out) would push the score from 67/2 to 124/3 before a couple of late wickets would see the skipper in nosebleed territory coming in at 7 to get the scratchiest 11 not out to finish the innings on 160/5 and take maximum Batting points.
In reply the bowlers had to work hard to get the first wicket with the experience of skipper Andy Watson and Alan Fletcher opening for the hosts.The fist wicket would fall in the 6th over with Gabe bowing Watson for 22 with the score on 28 before a 30 partnership between Smith and Fletcher was ended by Harsh Patel aided by James Walder with the score on 58/2 in 12th. It turned out to be an important wicket as Riding Mill were ahead of the rate and threes the loss of Fletcher coincided with a slowing of the run rate.
By drinks in 20th over Riding Mill were 71/2 it immediately after the break the skipper removed Zurawlew bowled for 5 soon to be followed by Bennet 4, Rogers 0 and Kent 14 leaving Riding Mill 89/5 in 25th over. The hill continued to be tight in the field and wicket 6 would fall at 116 followed by 7 for 124 and the 8th and last wicket at 141 in the penultimate over. With Gabe bowling a wicket maiden in the 34th over Riding Mill were left with 20 to get from the final over which was safely overcome with 12 coming from the final over.
A good win against an experienced team.
3rd XI NTCL Scorecard v Riding Mill (a)
