It was a much more positive weekend for the 1st and 2nd XI against local rivalries Newcastle, the 1s fell agonisingly short of victory in a game they dominated, however the 2s got back to winning ways with a 45 run victory, unfortunately the West Tyne 3s fell to a heavy defeat against Newton. Read on for the full details. On Sunday a young 2s team hosted Eppleton and Whitburn respectively in the NEPL Hundred competition, they won their first game against Eppleton but were defeated by Whitburn in their second game to go out of the competition.
NEPL Premier League - 1st XI v Newcastle (a) - Match Drawn - Match Report from Phil Haves
On a day of inclement weather we visited Jesmond & having won the toss the home side elected to field. After 2 lengthy rain delays the game was reduced to 77 overs allowing us to bat a maximum of 41 overs. Rory (1) was dismissed early stumped off former Hill spinner Mukhtar & when Max (9) having been promoted in the order was dismissed we were 17/2. Fletch, making his first appearance of the season in the 1s added 57 with Yash before the Pro was adjudged LBW for 23. Janders then joined Fletch & runs came at a brisk rate as both batters gained in confidence running well between the wickets & dispatching the bad balls to the boundary. Fletch was first to reach his 50 off 70 balls followed by Janders who got to 50 quicker than a run a ball. With runs flowing quickly Fletch reached a brilliant maiden first team century in the 38th over & this allowed Pete to declare at the end of the same over with the score on 207/3 thus taking out a Newcastle winning draw option out of the equation. Fletch finished 100 not out (3x6 & 8x4) & Janders 68 not out (1x6 & 7x4) as they added an unbroken stand of 133.
In reply the home side were immediately behind the required rate as Callum & Luke bowled a frugal opening 16 overs in which they also claimed 3 wickets as the visitors slipped to 34/3. Rory replaced Callum at the cemetery end & Du Toit took 17 off his first over but the Hill seamer responded claiming 2 wickets. The game appeared to be drifting towards a draw with the score on 95/7 after 34 overs however 2 wickets in 2 balls, including Du Toit for 60 reduced the home side to 106/9 with 9 balls remaining. Unfortunately for the Hill Darwood & Olver negotiated a tense ending without much trouble. Yash ended with 4/1 whilst Rory & Luke took 2 wickets a piece & Callum the other 1 to fall. We took a maximum 18 points from the winning draw & are now only 4 points from safety with 8 games remaining.
1st XI NEPL Scorecard v Newcastle (A)
NEPL Premier League - 2nd XI v Newcastle (h) - Won by 45 runs - Captains Report from Rohaan Aatif
After a delayed rainy start to Saturdays fixture against Newcastle CC we were finally able to get some cricket played. We won the toss and batted first which raised some concerns. Due to the rain, the game had been reduced to 38/33 overs. Benwell Hill batted the full 38 advancing to a score of 189. Anchored by a brilliant 59 not out from Rory mustard and impressive hitting by Arun Phogat who was unfortunately out for 47.
Newcastle CC came out looking proactive and looked to knock it off with ease. They were soon to be put on the back foot by Warren Poxon who displayed a quality spell of swing bowling ending with figures 19-3 of his 7 overs. Jake Robson bowled fantastically well in his second spell awarded with 2 wickets. He was well supported by Arun Phogat who also ended the game with 3 wickets. We defeated a strong Newcastle team in the second last over with Arun Phogat dismissing the last batter. This concluded the Newcastle innings for 144 in the 31st over.
2nd XI NEPL Scorecard v Newcastle (h)
West Tyne 3rd XI v Newton (a) - lost by 8 wickets - Captains Report from Chris Pounder
Saturday turned out to be a day to forget for the West Tyne 3’s. A game that was dominated by the bowlers however not our own. Full credit has to paid to Newton who restricted the Hill to 68/9 in 40 overs. Young Charlie Laverick was the pick with figures of 4/13 from 7 overs.
With the bat only Michael (16) Laura (12) and Davey (11) managed double figures. Newton would finish on 72/2 in the 16th over with a run out and a wicket for Rashan Hameed getting us a point out of the game.