A few days break in the weather last week allowed the necessary time to prepare NBMS Denton Bank pitch for the opening game of the season against Castle Eden, Whilst the outfield was obvioulsy very receptive given the wet weather, the quality of the wicket and the appearnce of the ground was an excellent testament to our hard working groundsman and his team. Unfortunately however they were not rewarded with an opening day victory read on for Phil Haves match report.
NEPL Premier League - 1st XI v Castle Eden (h) - lost by 71 runs
The 2024 season eventually got underway on Saturday with the First Eleven entertaining Castle Eden at the newly sponsored NBMS Denton Bank. Unfortunately due to a personal matter new Professional Yash Kothari’s arrival was delayed by a week & with Luke Mussett serving a one match ban carried over from last season an under strength side, which included debutant Arun Phogat took the field for the Hill.
Things started well with Pete promisingly winning the toss, hopefully one of many this season, & Castle Eden were asked to bat. 3 early wickets for Dan & Callum had the visitors in trouble at 27/3 & this became 88/6 as Rory and Callum claimed the wickets of Meade, Brown & Bailey. A 57 run partnership between Overseas Professional Iqbal and Wimpenny followed & this proved decisive in the context of the match before the last 4 wickets fell for 14 runs as the visitors were bowled out for 159 which included a huge 34 wides!. Callum, Dan, Max & Rory claimed 2 wickets each with Will & a run out making up the 10 wickets.
Chasing a challenging 160 to win the Hill’s reply got off to the worst possible start as Adam was run out without facing before a less than convincing Arun followed quickly afterwards as we slumped to 9/2. Pete (11) & Haydon (18) batted sensibly to get the total to 42 before we lost 4 wickets for 4 runs as we slumped to 46/6 with both Joe & Will failing to trouble the scorers. Belly & Dan both got to double figures before Max was last man out for 9 as we succumbed to 88 all out & defeat by 71 runs.
A disappointing start to the season indeed but hopefully the arrival of Yash & the return of Luke will give us a lift for next weekend when we visit Chester le Street on Saturday & Saltburn on Sunday in the National KO Cup.
1st XI NEPL Scorecard v Castle Eden (h)
West Tyne League - 3rd XI v Haltwhistle (a) - won by 26 runs
The 3s lost the toss and were inserted by the hosts, and things didn't look great as we struggled to 78 all out in 28 overs. Only Ayush Chakraboty (11), Harry Bennett (12) and Rashan Hameed (18) reaching double figures, However the wicket proved tricky for the home team too, as they lost regular wickets in their pursuit of the Hill total, collapsing from 36 for 4 to 48 all out. There was 3 wickets each for the principle run scorerers, Rashan Hameed, Ayush Chakraboty and Harry Bennett, the other wicket was taken by Michael Maclauchan.
3rd XI West Tyne scorecard v Haltwhistle
