It was a Saturday to forget as all 3 senior sides fell to defeat, however the NEPL 3rd's had an excellent win on Sunday against South North. On Saturday the 1st's went down narrowly at Burnopfield where the luck wasn't with us, the 2nd's lost at home to Newcastle City after setting the opposition 245 to win, and the NTCL 3rd's lost to old West Tyne foes Newton, read on for all the info.
NEPL Premier Division - 1st XI v Burnopfield (a) - Lost by 3 wickets - Match Report by Phil Haves
A visit to high flying Burnopfield was the challenge in front of us as we looked to stave off relegation for another week at least.
The hosts won the toss, asked us to bat first and Dave Christie was the first wicket to fall as not for the first time this season he was caught behind the wicket this time at slip having made only 8. Things quickly got worse as Rory (9) and Sam (0) were dismissed leaving us 25/3. Ayush and Aaryan began the rebuild batting sensibly and running well between the wickets adding 75 until Aaryan was out for 24 with the score on 100. With the score on 123 Ayush fell agonisingly on short of his maiden First Team half century. After Belly was out for 14 the innings tailed off as we were all out for 157 with Ben left stranded on 15 not out.
Our bowling was once again the highlight of the day as we gave very little away and took wickets at regular intervals and when Coleman was dismissed for 50 the hosts were wobbling at 102/7. However for the second time this season Bousfield (49no) with a match winning knock took the game away from us and steered the home side to a 3 wicket win. Harpo with 3, Ben 2, Lee and Max with 1 each were our wicket takers.
Our fate could finally be sealed on Saturday when we entertain Ashington at NBMS Denton Bank
NEPL 1st XI Scorecard v Burnopfield (a)
NEPL Division 2 - 2nd XI v Newcastle City (h) - Lost by 7 wickets
A very young 2nd XI gave close rivals Newcastle City a great game, but the impact of missing 3 of 4 of are regular bowlers proved crucial as Newcastle City chased down our score in the 44th over to win by 7 wickets.
Skipper for the day Andy Dawson won the toss and batted, with the Patel brothers Jayam (46) and Harsh (42),putting on an excellent 89 for the 1st wicket, it was then left to old man Andy D to hold the middle order together with an excellent 57 to get us to a very respectable 244 for 8 in 50 overs.
Newcastle City thanks to a century from opener Malik Javed surpassed our score with minimum alarm for the loss of only 3 wickets, 1 wicket each for Nazif Habibi, Abu Siddique and Oliver Smalley.
The defeat widens the gap to 29 points between us and Newcastle City in 4th place.
NEPL 2nd XI Scorecard v Newcastle City (h)
NTCL Division 5 South - 3rd XI v Newton (h) - Lost by 8 wickets - Match Report by James Walder
The 3rd team hosted promotion pushing Newton at the weekend and after losing another toss we were asked to bat on a damp and green wicket.
At 6 for 2 after 8 overs it didn't look great but a partnership between Sukhveer (34) and James (26) got us to 65 for 2 on a track for good first innings score. Not for the first this season a cluster of wickets put paid to that as we were bowled out for 109 with only Naz (23) reaching double figures.
Despite some good tight bowling we failed to get the wickets need to put Newton under any pressure. They were 10 for 1 after 9 overs but some strong hitting got them to the target with only 2 wickets down and in the 29th over.
Although safe from relegation (both from our league position and that NTCL have said there will be no relegation) it would be good to get back to winning ways in the last three games to end the season on a positive.
NTCL 3rd XI Scorecard v Newton (h)
NEPL Sunday Division 1 - 3rd XI v South North (h) - Won by 7 wickets - Match Report by Matty Hynd
The NEPL 3s ended the season by completing a double over South North.
Stand in Skipper (again) Andy D lost the toss and South North elected to bat, South North were soon in trouble and were reduced to 1 for 3 as Gabriel (2) and Seb struck early. South North then added 30 before losing their 4th as Oli Smalley removed NEPL 3s leading run scorer Olly Alexander for 18. Nirmit then picked up 2 quick wickets as South North stumbled to 40/6. Harsh Patel then joined the attack and picked up career best figures of 4-16 as South North were all out for 87, with stand in wicket keeper Andy Dawson picking up 3 catches.
The batters made light work of the total knocking off the required runs for 3 wickets in 15 overs, with Jayam Patel finishing 65 not out from 42 balls.
This concluded a successful season for the NEPL 3s who finished a credible 4th, with a cup final to play against league champions Chester-Le-Street.
NEPL 3rd XI Scorecard v South North (h)